Health and Safety Information
157
• "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 users of wireless phones with the best
possible information on possible effects of wireless phone use on
human health.
FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal
agencies that have responsibility for different aspects of RF
safety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. The
following agencies belong to this working group:
• "National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• "Environmental Protection Agency
• "Federal Communications Commission
• "Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• "National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Institutes of Health participates in some
interagency working group activities, as well.
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for wireless phones with
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). All phones
that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC safety
guidelines that limit RF exposure. FCC relies on FDA and other
health agencies for safety questions about wireless phones.
FCC also regulates the base stations that the wireless phone
networks rely upon. While these base stations operate at higher
power than do the wireless phones themselves, the RF
exposures that people get from these base stations are typically
