User's Manual

exposures. However, none of the studies can provide absolute findings about long-term

exposures since the average period of phone use in these studies was approximately

three years.

4. What kinds of phones are the subjects of this update?

Here the term “wireless phone” refers 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 Radio Frequency (RF) energy because of the short distance

between the phone and the user’s head. These RF exposures are limited by FCC safety

guidelines that were developed with the advice of the 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 reduced due to a person's RF exposure rapidly decreasing

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, thus producing RF exposures

far below the FCC safety limits.

5. What is the FDA doing to find out more about the possible health effects of

wireless phone RF?

The FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program and with groups of

investigators around the world to ensure that high-priority animal studies are conducted to

address concerns about the effects of exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) energy.

The FDA has been a leading participant in the World Health Organization International

Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its inception in 1996. An influential result of

this work has been the development of a detailed agenda of research needs that has

implemented new research programs around the world. The project has also resulted in a

series of public information documents on EMF issues. The FDA and the Cellular