User Guide

314 Section 5A: Safety
fadb.html. Entry points into the various databases include frequency, state/county, latitude/
longitude, call-sign and licensee name. For further information on the Commission's existing
databases, you can contact Donald Campbell at [e-mail] or 202-418-2405.
Can local and state governmental bodies establish limits for RF exposure?
Although some local and state governments have enacted rules and regulations about
human exposure to RF energy in the past, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the
Federal Government to control human exposure to RF emissions. In particular, Section 704
of the Act states that, “No State or local government or instrumentality thereof may
regulate the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities
on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that
such facilities comply with the Commission's regulations concerning such emissions.”
Further information on federal authority and FCC policy is available in a fact sheet from the
FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at www.fcc.gov/wtb.
Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated
with using wireless phones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are absolutely
safe. Wireless phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range
while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF when in the stand-by mode. Whereas
high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that
does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of
low level RF exposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested
that some biological effects may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by
additional research. In some cases, other researchers have had difficulty in reproducing
those studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
What is FDA's role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, 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 radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA