160Additional information on Specific Absorption Rates (SAR)can be found on the Cellular Telecommunications IndustryAssociation (CTIA) web-site at http://www.wow-com.com.FDA 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 findingshave not been confirmed by additional research. In somecases, other researchers have had difficulty in reproducingthose studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistentresults.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 to
