LG Electronics GT550, Encore FDA Consumer Update, 117, Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?

Safety Guidelines

]When you use the phone in public places, set the ring tone to vibration so as not to disturb others.

]Do not turn your phone on or off when putting it in your ear.

FDA Consumer Update

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Centre 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 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 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 radiofrequency energy (RF) 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:

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