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The U.S. Food and Drug

Administration's Center for Devices

and Radiological Health Consumer

Update on Mobile Phones

FDA Update
FDA has been receiving inquiries about the safety of mobile
phones, including cellular phones and PCS phones. The following
summarizes what is known—and what remains unknown—
about whether these products can pose a hazard to health, and
what can be done to minimize any potential risk. This
information may be used to respond to questions.

Why the concern?

Mobile phones emit low levels of radio frequency energy (i.e.,
radio frequency radiation) in the microwave range while being
used. They also emit very low levels of radio frequency energy
(RF), considered non-significant, when in the stand-by mode. It
is well known that high levels of RF can produce biological
damage through heating effects (this is how your microwave
oven is able to cook food). However, it is not known whether, to
what extent, or through what mechanism, lower levels of RF
might cause adverse health effects as well. Although some
research has been done to address these questions, no clear
picture of the biological effects of this type of radiation has
emerged to date. Thus, the available science does not allow us to
conclude that mobile phones are absolutely safe, or that they are
unsafe. However, the available scientific evidence does not
demonstrate any adverse health effects associated with the use
of mobile phones.
User.Guide.Tarpon.book Page 93 Thursday, April 26, 2001 2:23 PM