Samsung SGH-A767 Series User Manual

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Health and Safety Information 133What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wirelessphones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless phones before theycan be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical devices.However, the agency has authority to take action if wirelessphones are shown to emit radio frequency energy (RF) at a levelthat is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could requirethe manufacturers of wireless phones to notify users of thehealth hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones so thatthe hazard no longer exists.Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDA regulatoryactions, FDA has urged the wireless phone industry to take anumber of steps, including the following:• Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of thetype emitted by wireless phones;• Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure tothe user that is not necessary for device function; and• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best possibleinformation on possible effects of wireless phone use on humanhealth.FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federalagencies that have responsibility for different aspects of RFsafety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. Thefollowing agencies 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 interagencyworking group activities, as well.FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones withthe Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All phones thatare sold in the United States must comply with FCC safetyguidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and otherhealth agencies for safety questions about wireless phones.FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phonenetworks rely upon. While these base stations operate at higherpower than do the wireless phones themselves, the RFexposures that people get from these base stations are typicallythousands of times lower than those they can get from wirelessphones.Base stations are thus not the primary subject of the safetyquestions discussed in this document.