User's Manual

Table Of Contents
Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a series of
Q
ue
s
t
i
on
s
and Answers for consumers relating to radio frequency (RF) exposure from
w
i
r
e
l
e
ss
phones. The FDA publication includes the following
i
n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
on
:
What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?
The term wireless phone refers here to
h
a
n
d
-
he
l
d
wireless phones with
bu
il
t
-
i
n
antennas, often called
c
e
ll
,
m
ob
il
e
,
or
P
C
S
phones. These types of
w
i
r
e
l
e
ss
phones can expose the user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF) because
o
f
the short distance between the phone and the user's head. These RF exposures
a
r
e
limited by Federal
Communications
Commission safety guidelines that
w
e
r
e
developed with the advice of FDA and other federal health and safety
a
g
en
c
i
e
s
.
When the phone is located at greater distances from the user, the exposure to RF
i
s
drastically lower because a
pe
r
s
on
'
s
RF exposure decreases rapidly with
i
n
c
r
ea
s
i
n
g
distance from the source. The
so
-
c
a
ll
e
d
c
o
r
d
l
e
ss
p
h
ones
,
which have a base
un
i
t
connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at far lower
po
w
e
r
levels, and thus produce RF exposures well within the FCC's compliance
li
m
i
t
s
.
Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available
scientific
evidence does not show that any health problems
a
r
e
associated with using wireless phones. There is no proof, however, that
w
i
r
e
l
e
ss
phones are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radio
frequency
energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used. They also emit very low
l
e
v
e
l
s
of RF when in the
s
t
a
n
d
-
b
y mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce
he
a
l
t
h
effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does not produce
he
a
t
i
n
g
effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low level RF
exposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested
t
ha
t
some biological effects may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed
b
y
additional research. In some cases, other researchers have had difficulty
i
n
reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons for
inconsistent r
e
s
u
l
t
s.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of r
a
di
a
t
io
n
-
e
m
i
tt
i
n
g
c
on
s
u
m
e
r
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
w
i
r
e
l
e
ss
phones are shown to emit radio frequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous
t
o
the user. In such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones
t
o
notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones so
t
h
a
t
the hazard no longer
e
x
i
s
t
s.
Although the existing
scientific
data do not justify FDA regulatory actions, FDA
ha
s
urged the wireless phone industry to take a number of steps, including the
f
o
ll
o
w
i
n
g
:
Sup
po
r
t
needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the
t
y
pe
emitted by wireless
p
h
one
s;
D
e
s
ig
n
wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to
t
he
user that is not necessary for device
function;
a
n
d
C
oope
r
a
t
e
in providing users of wireless phones with the best
po
ss
ib
l
e
information on possible effects of wireless phone use on human
h
ea
l
t
h
.
FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies that
ha
v
e
responsibility for different aspects of RF safety to ensure coordinated efforts at
t
he
federal level. The following agencies belong to this working
g
r
oup
:
N
a
t
i
onal
Institute for Occupational Safety and
H
e
a
l
t
h