User guide

119
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 phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are
associated with using wireless phones.
There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are absolutely safe.
Wireless phones 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 idle 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
phones?
Under the law, the FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting
consumer products such as wireless phones before they can be sold, as it
does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has authority
to take action if wireless phones 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 phones to notify users of the health
hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the phones so that the hazard no
longer exists.