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FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration’s
Center for Devices and
Radiological Health Consumer
Update on Mobile 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 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 do not justify FDA regulatory
actions, the FDA has urged the
wireless phone industry to take
a number of steps, including the
following:
• Support needed research into
possible biological effects of RF
of the type emitted by wireless
phones;
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