FCC/FDA FAQ

Q. Which federal agency is in charge of regulating mobile phones?

A. The Federal Communications Commission, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has oversight of the cell phone industry and health-related issues.

Q. Has the FCC set rules for how much radiofrequency energy from mobile phones is OK?

A. In 1996, the FCC accepted a standard, developed by the IEEE, of 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over 1 gram of tissue. The exposure limit is based on the heating effects of radiofrequency energy on human tissue, because it has been shown that radiofrequency energy at high enough power can heat tissue, causing damage. The scientific measurement is called "specific absorption rate [SAR]."

Q. Does the FCC test mobile phones for compliance?

A. No, manufacturers are responsible for testing phones for compliance.

Q. Does the industry have uniform testing procedures?

A. No, an international group has been working since 1997 to develop uniform testing procedures but has not completed its work.

Q. How is the FDA involved?

A. The FDA is responsible for protecting public health and safety with respect to radiation from electronic products.

Q. Is the FDA's radiological health program adequately funded?

A. Not according to Dr. David Feigel, director of the FDA's Center for Device and Radiological Health. In the center's Year 2000 annual report, he writes, "Part of our center's mission . . . is to ensure the safety of radiation-emitting consumer and industrial products. Because of the need to transfer funds and personnel over the past two decades from radiological health to medical device activities, the radiological health program, which now has only 10% of the center's resources, cannot adequately do its job under the law. The situation is worsening..."

Q. Does the FDA test phones before they are marketed?

A. No, the FDA evaluates industry data, but doesn't conduct its own testing.

Q. Does the FCC plan to conduct its own tests on cell phones?

A. Yes, the FCC wants to conduct spot tests, but the FCC faces a serious staffing problem. In fact, the FCC has only one radiofrequency exposure specialist on staff.

Q. Is the FDA involved in scientific studies related to cell phone safety.

A. The FDA has not conducted its own studies, but is involved in a research program called CRADA being conducted by the cell phone industry.

Q. Does the FDA lose credibility when it partners with industry groups on cell phone testing?

A. "That reminds me of the fox guarding the henhouse," says Ian Elfenbaum, a Chicago attorney who is representing a man who says his brain tumor was caused by using a cell phone on the job.

The FDA's Dr. Russell Owen says he has no problem with the CTIA funding the research effort or in participating heavily in it. "We've given them specific recommendations," says Owen. "There's not really anything unusual. In the case of this particular agreement, there's a larger degree of government involvement than with your typical drug application."

Q. Are other government officials getting involved?

A. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., has asked the General Accounting Office to audit the cost of research and the allocation of that funding. He is also pushing for consumers to be provided with more up-to-date information about health risks associated with cell phone use.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is pushing a bill seeking federal funding for cell phone and health-related research.

Cell phone safety
Convinced that using the company-issued cell phones on the job caused his brain tumor, Mark Hart filed a workers' compensation claim. The Hart case and others like it, while human tragedies, raise serious issues for network and telecom executives.

Cell phone industry faces legal tests
Gibb Brower used a cell phone to help run his business from the road or on job sites for four years. He says his cell phones caused the growth of two tumors and a surrounding cancer field on the right side of his head where he held the phone.

Interesting facts and statistics
Find out how much power a cell phone uses, how many Americans use cell phones, and other useful info.

How workers' comp works
What to do if your employer issued cell phone damages your health.

Patent filings raise questions
Even as major cell phone manufacturers argued that phones pose no health risks, the companies were filing patents for devices designed to protect users from radiation emitted by the phones.

Scientific studies are a mixed bag
Research into the safety of cellular phones has resulted in some studies that show no adverse effects, and others that raise questions.

Forum: Cell-phone risks
Discuss them with Dr. George Carlo, former director of the cellular industry's research effort on them.

Cell phone ratings are hard to come by
For network administrators looking to buy cellular phones that give off the least amount of radiation, comparing emission levels may not be an easy task.

Cell phone patents raise questions
Health risks once again at issue in light of technology patent review.
Network World, 06/15/01.

Cellphone suit will get its day in court
In ruling that could shake the cellphone industry, a federal judge let stand a lawsuit that says companies are making and selling cellphones with the knowledge that they may be dangerous.
IDG News Service, 01/19/01.

Study links mobile phone use with eye cancer
A German study purports to find a statistically significant link between a rare form of eye cancer and mobile telephone use.
Net.Worker, 01/16/01.

Cell phone use linked to brain cancer in new study
Users of mobile phones are at increased risk of developing brain tumors, especially if they use older analog phones.
Network World, 05/05/00.