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Safety
The so-called “cordless phones,” which have a base unit c onnected
to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at fa r lower
power levels, and thus produce RF exposures well within the F CC’s
compliance limits.
Do wireless phones pose a h ealth hazard?The available scientific evidence does not show that any he alth
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 l evels of RF can
produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF
that does not produce heating effects causes no k nown adverse
health effects. Many studies of low
level RF exposures have not found any biological effects. S ome
studies have suggested that some biological effect s may occur, but
such findings have not been confirmed by additional research. In
some cases, other researchers have had difficult y in reproducing
those studies, or in determining the reasons for inc onsistent results.
What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of wire less phones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-e mitting
consumer products such as wireless phones befo re they can be sold,
as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency
has authority to take action if wireless phone s are shown to emit
radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to t he user. In
such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless ph ones
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 justif y FDA regulatory
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