Samsung SGH-P716 User Manual

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Health and Safety Information174FDA 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 findings havenot been confirmed by additional research. In some cases,other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing thosestudies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.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 tonotify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace orrecall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.Although the existing scientific data do not justify FDAregulatory actions, FDA has urged the wireless phone industryto take a number of steps, including the following:Health and Safety Information175● Support needed research into possible biological effects ofRF of the type emitted by wireless phones;● Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RFexposure to the user that it is not necessary for devicefunction; and● Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with thebest possible information on possible effects of wirelessphone use on human health.FDA belongs to a 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 Committee● Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationThe National Institutes of Health participates in someinteragency working group activities, as well.FDA shares regulatory responsibilities about wireless phoneswith the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Allphones that are sold in the United States must comply withFCC safety guidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies onFDA and other health agencies for safety questions aboutwireless phones.FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phonenetworks rely upon. While these base stations operate athigher power than do the wireless phones themselves, thewireless exposures that people get from these base stationsare typically thousands of times lower than those they getfrom wireless phones. Base stations are thus not the subjectof the safety questions discussed in this document.