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industry to take a number of steps to assure public safety. The
agency has recommended that the industry:
• support needed research into possible biological effects of
RF of the type emitted by mobile phones
• design mobile phones in a way that minimizes any RF
exposure to the user that is not necessary for device
function
• cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best
possible information on what is known about possible
effects of mobile phone use on human health
At the same time, FDA belongs to an interagency working group
of the federal agencies that have responsibility for different
aspects of mobile phone safety to ensure a coordinated effort at
the federal level. These agencies are:
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Federal Communications Commission
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
The National Institutes of Health also participates in this group.
In the absence of conclusive information about any possible risk, what can concerned individuals do?If there is a risk from these products—and at this point we do
not know that there is—it is probably very small. But if people
are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, there are
simple steps they can take to do so. For example, time is a key
User.Guide.Tarpon.book Page 99 Thursday, April 26, 2001 2:23 PM