Performance and Safety 191FDA Consumer UpdateDo wireless phones pose a health hazard?The available scientific evidence does not show that anyhealth problems are associated with using wireless phones.There is no proof, however, that wireless phones areabsolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while beingused. They also emit very low levels of RF when in stand-bymode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects(by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does notproduce heating effects causes no known adverse healtheffects. Many studies of low level RF exposures have notfound any biological effects. Some studies have suggestedthat some biological effects may occur, but such findings havenot been confirmed by additional research. In some cases,other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing thosestudies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.What is FDA’s role concerning the safety ofwireless phones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless phones beforethey can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medicaldevices. However, the agency has authority to take action ifwireless phones are shown to emit radio frequency energy(RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case,FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones tonotify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace orrecall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.
