User's Manual

brain cancer. This is called a case-control study. The current case-control study of
brain cancers by the National Cancer Institute, as well as the Follow-up research to be
sponsored by industry, will begin to generate this type of information.
What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of mobile phones?
Under the law. FDA does not review the safety of radiation consumer products such as
mobile phones before marketing, as it does with new drugs or medical devices.
However, the agency has authority to take action if mobile phones are shown to emit
radiation at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require the
manufactures of mobile phones 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 justify FDA regulatory actions at this time,
FDA has urged the mobile phones 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 ; and
■ cooperate in providing mobile phone users with the best possible information on
what is know 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
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 Telecommunication 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 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 factor in how much exposure a person receives. Those
persons who spend long
Periods of time on their hands-held models for shorter conversations or for situation
when other types of
Phones are not available.