Samsung SGH-E356 User Manual

38Health and safety informationAppendix C: consumer updateon wireless phonesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationWhat kinds of phones are the subject of this update?The term wireless phone refers here to hand-held wirelessphones with built-in antennas, often called cell, mobile, orPCS phones. These types of wireless phones can exposethe user to measurable radio frequency energy (RF)because of the short distance between the phone and theuser s head. These RF exposures are limited by FederalCommunications Commission safety guidelines that weredeveloped with the advice of FDA and other federal healthand safety agencies. When the phone is located at greaterdistances from the user, the exposure to RF is drasticallylower because a person’s RF exposure decreases rapidlywith increasing distance from the source. The so-called“cordless phones,” which have a base unit connected tothe telephone wiring in a house, typically operate at farlower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures wellwithin the FCC’s compliance limits.Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?The available scientific evidence does not show that anyhealth problems are associated with using wirelessphones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phonesare absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels ofradio frequency energy (RF) in the microwave range whilebeing used. They also emit very low levels of RF when inthe stand-by mode. Whereas high levels of RF can producehealth effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RFthat does not produce heating effects causes no knownadverse health effects. Many studies of low level RFexposures have not found any biological effects. Somestudies have suggested that some biological effects mayoccur, but such findings have not been confirmed byadditional research. In some cases, other researchershave had difficulty in reproducing those studies, or indetermining the reasons for inconsistent results.What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of wirelessphones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiationemitting consumer products such as wireless phonesbefore they can be sold, as it does with new drugs ormedical devices. However, the agency has authority totake action if wireless phones are shown to emit radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to theuser. In such a case, FDA could require the manufacturersof wireless phones to notify users of the health hazard and