Samsung SGH-i270 User Manual

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Health and Safety Information252Appendix C: Consumer Update on WirelessPhonesU.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 expose theuser to measurable radio frequency energy (RF) because ofthe short distance between the phone and the user s head.These RF exposures are limited by Federal CommunicationsCommission safety guidelines that were developed with theadvice of FDA and other federal health and safety agencies.When the phone is located at greater distances from the user,the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person’s RFexposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from thesource. The so-called “cordless phones,” which have a baseunit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typicallyoperate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RFexposures well within 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 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 the stand-by mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce healtheffects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that doesnot produce 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,Health and Safety Information253other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing thosestudies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.3. 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 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:● 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 healthFDA 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 CommunicationsCommission