Health and safety information183that 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 researchers havehad 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 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 phoneindustry to take a number of steps, including the following:• “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 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 an interagency working group of the federalagencies that have responsibility for different aspects of RFsafety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level.The following agencies belong to this working group:
