Nokia 3100b User Manual

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116 Copyright © 2003 NokiaConsumer Update on Wireless PhonesU.S. Food and Drug Administration1. Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated withusing 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 whilebeing used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in the stand-by mode. Whereas high levelsof RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does notproduce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low level RFexposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that somebiological 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 indetermining the reasons for inconsistent results.2. 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 aswireless phones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However,the agency has authority to take action if wireless phones are shown to emit radiofrequencyenergy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require themanufacturers of wireless phones to notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace orrecall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA regulatory actions, FDA has urged thewireless phone industry to take a number of steps, including the following:• Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type emitted bywireless phones;• Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that is notnecessary for device function; and• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best possible information onpossible effects of wireless phone use on human health.FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies that have responsibilityfor different aspects of RF safety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. The followingagencies belong to this working group:• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health• Environmental Protection Agency• Federal Communications Commission• Occupational Safety and Health Administration• National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationThe National Institutes of Health participates in some interagency working group activities, aswell.FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones with the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC). All phones that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safetyguidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other health agencies for safetyquestions about wireless phones. FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phonenetworks rely upon. While these base stations operate at higher power than do the wirelessphones themselves, the RF exposures that people get from these base stations are typicallythousands of times lower than those they can get from wireless phones. Base stations are thusnot the subject of the safety questions discussed in this document.