Appendix C: Consumer Update on Wireless Phones171Appendix C: Consumer Update onWireless PhonesU.S. Food and Drug Administration1. What 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.2. 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
