Safety
171
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and
Radiological Health Consumer Update on Mobile Phones:
1. Do wireless devices pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems
are associated with using wireless devices. There is no proof, however, that
wireless devices are absolutely safe. Wireless devices emit low levels of
Radio Frequency (RF) energy in the microwave range while being used.
They also emit very low levels of RF when in standby mode. Whereas high
levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low
level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse
health effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have not found any
biological effects. Some studies have suggested that some biological
effects may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by additional
research. In some cases, other researchers have had difficulty in
reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent
results.
2. What is the FDA’s role concerning the safety of wireless devices?
Under the law, the FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as wireless devices before they can be sold, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless devices are shown to emit Radio
Frequency (RF) energy at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a
case, the FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless devices to notify
users of the health hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the devices so
that the hazard no longer exists. Although the existing scientific data do not
justify FDA regulatory actions, the FDA has urged the wireless device
industry to take a number of steps, including the following:
• Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type
emitted by wireless devices;
• Design wireless devices in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the
user that is not necessary for device function; and
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