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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, the FDAdoes 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 FDAcould 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
FDAregulatory actions, 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;
•Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes
any RF exposure to the user that is not necessary
for device function; and
S
AFETY
G
UIDELINES
equipment, in the area over the air bag or in the air bag
deployment area. If in-vehicle wireless equipment is
improperly installed and the air bag inflates, serious
injury could result.
FDA C onsum er UUpda te
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 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
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