Sharp STX-2 manual FDA Consumer Update, 158

SAFETY

FDA CONSUMER UPDATE

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Cell Phone Facts Consumer Information on Wireless Phones

1. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?

The term “wireless phone“ refers here to handheld wireless phones with built-in antennas, often called “cell,“ “mobile,“ or “PCS“ phones. These types of wireless phones can expose the user to measurable radiofrequency energy (RF) because of the short distance between the phone and the user’s head. These RF exposures are limited by Federal Communications Commission safety guidelines that were developed with the advice of FDA and other federal health and safety agencies. When the phone is located at greater distances from the user, the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person’s RF exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the source. The so- called “cordless phones,“ which have a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures well within the FCC’s compliance limits.

2. 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.

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