Pantech Marauder User Manual

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Pantech Marauder User Manual Manual pdf 173 page image

APPENDIX172FDA consumer updateU.S. Food and Drug Administration Center forDevices and Radiological Health Consumer Updateon Wireless Phones1. Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problemsare associated with using wireless phones. There is no proof, however,that wireless phones are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levelsof radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used.They also emit very low levels of RF when in the Home Screen. Whereashigh levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposureto low level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no knownadverse health effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have notfound any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that somebiological effects may occur, but such findings have not been confirmedby additional research. In some cases, other researchers have haddifficulty in reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons forinconsistent results.2. What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of wirelessphones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emittingconsumer products such as wireless phones before they can be sold,as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agencyhas authority to take action if wireless phones are shown to emitradiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In sucha case, FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones to notifyusers of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones sothat the hazard no longer exists. Although the existing scientific data donot justify FDA regulatory actions, FDA has urged the wireless phoneindustry to take a number of steps, including the following:x Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of thetype emitted by wireless phones;x Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure tothe user that is not necessary for device function; andx Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the bestpossible information on possible effects of wireless phone use onhuman health.FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies thathave responsibility for different aspects of RF safety to ensure coordinatedefforts at the federal level. The following agencies belong to this workinggroup:x National Institute for Occupational Safety and Healthx Environmental Protection Agencyx Federal Communications Commissionx Occupational Safety and Health Administrationx National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationThe National Institutes of Health participates in some inter-agencyworking group activities, as well. FDA shares regulatory responsibilities forwireless phones with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Allphones that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safetyguidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other healthagencies for safety questions about wireless phones. FCC also regulatesthe base stations that the wireless phone networks rely upon. Whilethese base stations operate at higher power than do the wireless phonesthemselves, the RF exposures that people get from these base stations aretypically thousands of times lower than those they can get from wirelessphones. Base stations are thus not the subject of the safety questionsdiscussed in this document.