Section 19166 Performance and Safety GuidelinesFDA Consumer UpdateDo wireless phones pose a health hazard?The available scientific evidence does not showthat any health problems are associated withusing wireless phones. There is no proof,however, that wireless phones are absolutelysafe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave rangewhile being used. They also emit very low levelsof RF when in stand-by mode. Whereas highlevels of RF can produce health effects (byheating tissue), exposure to low level RF thatdoes not produce heating effects causes noknown adverse health effects. Many studies oflow level RF exposures have not found anybiological effects. Some studies have suggestedthat some biological effects may occur, butsuch findings have not been confirmed byadditional research. In some cases, otherresearchers have had difficulty in reproducingthose studies, or in determining the reasons forinconsistent results.What is FDA’s role concerning the safety ofwireless phones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety ofradiation-emitting consumer products such aswireless phones before they can be sold, as itdoes with new drugs or medical devices.
