User's Manual

99
SAFETY
FDA CONSUMER
UPDATE
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Cell
Phone Facts Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term “wireless phone” refers here to handheld wireless phones with built-in
antennas, often called “cell,” “mobile,” or “PCS” phones. These types of wireless
phones can expose the user to measurable radiofrequency energy (RF) because of
the short distance between the phone and the user’s head. These RF exposures
are limited by Federal Communications Commission safety guidelines that were
developed with the advice of FDA and other federal health and safety agencies.
When the phone is located at greater distances from the user, the exposure to
RF is drastically lower because a person's RF exposure decreases rapidly with
increasing distance from the source. The so-called "cordless phones," which
have a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate
at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures well within the FCC's
compliance limits.
2. 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 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