Specifications
119
Reference
118
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk,
what can concerned individuals do?
If there is a risk from these products–and at this point we do not know that there
is–it is probably very small. But if people are concerned about avoiding even poten-
tial risks, there are simple steps they can take to do so. For example, time is a key fac-
tor in how much exposure a person receives. Those persons who spend long periods
of time on their hand-held mobile phones could consider holding lengthy conversa-
tions on conventional phones and reserving the hand-held models for shorter conver-
sations or for situations when other types of phones are not available.
People who must conduct extended conversations in their cars every day could switch
to a type of mobile phone that places more distance between their bodies and the
source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. For
example, they could switch to
a mobile phone in which the antenna is located outside the vehicle,
a hand-held phone with a built-in antenna connected to a different antenna
mounted on the outside of the car or built into a separate package, or
a headset with a remote antenna to a mobile phone carried at the waist.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that mobile phones are harmful. But if
people are concerned about the radiofrequency energy from these products, taking
the simple precautions outlined above can reduce any possible risk.
Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, see the following websites:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program (select
“Information on Human Exposure to RF Fields from Cellular and PCS Radio
Transmitters”): http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
World Health Organization (WHO) International Commission on Non-
Ionizing Radiation Protection (select Qs & As): http://www.who.int/emf
This is called a case-control study. The current case-control study of brain cancers by
the National Cancer Institute, as well as the follow-up research to be sponsored by
industry, will begin to generate this type of information.
What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of mobile phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer prod-
ucts such as mobile phones before marketing, as it does with new drugs or medical
devices. However, the agency has authority to take action if mobile phones are shown
to emit radiation at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could
require the manufacturers of mobile 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 do not justify FDA regulatory actions at this
time, FDA has urged the mobile phone industry to take a number of steps to assure
public safety. The agency has recommended that the industry:
support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type emitted
by mobile phones;
design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that
is not necessary for device function; and
cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best possible information on
what is known about possible effects of mobile phone use on human health.
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agen-
cies that have responsibility for different aspects of mobile phone safety to ensure a
coordinated effort at the federal level. These agencies are:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Communications Commission
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
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