Quick start guide

64
Safety
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 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 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.
Although the existing scientific data
does not justify FDA regulatory actions,
the FDA has urged the wireless phone
industry to take a number of steps,
including the following: