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Section 13: Health and Safety Information 161
Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
Section 13
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.
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
radio frequency 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 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. Many studies of low
level RF exposures have not found any biological effects.
Some studies have suggested that some biological effects
may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by
additional research. In some cases, other researchers have
had difficulty in reproducing those studies, or in
determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless
phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of
radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless
phones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs
x497.book Page 161 Thursday, July 21, 2005 11:55 PM