2. 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 energy
(RF) 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:
• Support needed research into possible
biological effects of RF of the type
emitted by wireless phones;
• Design wireless phones in a way that
minimizes any RF exposure to the user
that is not necessary for device function;
and
• Cooperate in providing wireless phones
with the best possible information on
possible effects of wireless phone use on
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