Appendix C: Consumer Update on Wireless Phones194produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to lowlevel RF that does not produce heating effects causes noknown adverse health effects. Many studies of low levelRF exposures 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.3. What is FDA’s role concerning the safety of wirelessphones?Under the law, FDA does not review the safety ofradiation-emitting consumer products such as wirelessphones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugsor medical 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 andto repair, replace or recall the phones so that the hazardno 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 effectsof RF 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 wirelessphones with the best possible information on possible
