User's Manual

Chapter 7 Safety and Warranty 107
FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION - CENTER
FOR DEVICES AND
RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH CONSUMER UPDATE
ON WIRELESS 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 radiofrequency energy
(RF) in the microwave range while being used. They
also emit very low levels of RF when in the stand-by
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 FDA’s role concerning the safety of
wireless phones?
Under the law, 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 radiofrequency energy (RF) at a
level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case,
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
do not justify FDA regulatory actions, FDA has urged
the wireless phone industry to take a number of steps,
including the following:
y Support needed research into possible biological effects of
RF of the type emitted by wireless phones;
y Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF
exposure to the user that is not necessary for device
function;
and
y Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the
best possible information on possible effects of wireless
phone use on human health.