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Internet: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Hubert H. Humphrey Bldg. 200 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20201
Voice: 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-232-4636)
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/default.html
FDA consumer update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological
Health Consumer Update on Mobile Phones:
1. What is the FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, the FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer
products such as wireless phones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs
or medical devices. However, the agency has authority to take action if wireless
phones are shown to emit Radio Frequency (RF) energy at a level that is hazardous
to the user. In such a case, the FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless
phones to notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the phones
so that the hazard no longer exists.
Although the existing scientific data does not justify FDA regulatory actions, the FDA
has urged the wireless phone industry to take a number of steps, including the
following:
1. Support current and future research regarding possible biological effects of the
type of RF emitted by wireless phones;
2. Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that
is not necessary for device function; and
3. Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with complete and accurate
information regarding possible effects of wireless phone use on human health and
