FDA ON REVIEW AND SAFETY OF CELL PHONES

FROM:  U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION 

Cell Phones

Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer products such as cell phones and similar wireless devices before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, FDA does have the authority to take action if cell phones are shown to emit radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require cell phone manufacturers to notify users of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.

Interagency Working Group

FDA belongs to the Radiofrequency Interagency Work Group. The federal agencies in this group have responsibility for different aspects of RF safety and work to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. The other agencies in this group are:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Communications Commission
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Federal Communications Commission
FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for cell phones with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FCC certifies wireless devices, and all phones that are sold in the United States must comply with FCC guidelines on RF exposure. FCC relies on the FDA and other health agencies on health and safety related questions about cell phones.

FCC also regulates cell phone base stations. These base stations operate at higher power than cell phones. The RF exposures people experience from base stations are typically much lower than from cell phones because base station antennas are mounted on towers or other building structures and are thus substantially farther away from the public. Both cell phones and base stations are required to comply with FCC RF exposure guidelines.

International Workgroup

For the past several years, delegations from Japan, Korea, the European Union, Australia, China, the World Health Organization, and the United States have met to discuss health concerns for wireless telecommunications. The purpose of these workshops has been to discuss scientific issues related to RF exposure from wireless communications technology from an international perspective. Specific topics addressed have included:

health effects of emerging wireless technologies
recent biological research
standards development
prospects for international collaboration related to the safety of wireless telecommunication devices.

ADM. STAVRIDIS PRAISES NATO AS HE STEPS DOWN AS COMMANDER ALLIED FORCES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Stavridis Highlights NATO's Progress as 'Force for Good'
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

MONS, Belgium, May 13, 2013 - As the flags of NATO's 28 nations cracked in the wind during a change of command ceremony here today, the alliance's outgoing and incoming supreme allied commanders noted the symbolism.

Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis passed the flag of Allied Command Operations to Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, who becomes the 17th commander of alliance forces, following in the footsteps of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and Army Gen. Matthew Ridgway.

Stavridis was the first U.S. Navy officer to hold the position. The flags, he said "are a beautiful, powerful symbol of how we sail together."

The 28 NATO flags, joined by the flags of 22 partner nations, also fly in Afghanistan, and "they represent why we will succeed in Afghanistan," Stavridis said.

"I will miss being part of a 50-nation coalition taking on jobs like Afghanistan," the admiral said.

NATO has made extraordinary progress in Afghanistan, Stavridis said. "We have collectively built an Afghan security force of 350,000, ... and they will take control of their country completely on General Breedlove's watch," he added.

In the next few months, Afghan soldiers and police will protect more than 90 percent of the Afghan population, the admiral noted, citing a few more facts to highlight the progress. Afghan life expectancy has risen from 42 years old to 62 over the past decade. More than 9 million children are attending school, including 3.5 million girls. Afghans use 17 million cell phones, and there are dozens of radio and television stations broadcasting in the country. More than 70 percent of the population has access to health care.

"These are signs of progress that are undeniable," he said. "Challenges remain, but I believe we will succeed in Afghanistan because of the larger coalition."

The admiral said he looks at the alliance effort in Libya with quiet satisfaction, because the alliance saved tens of thousands of lives by its timely intervention in the skies over the nation. Aircraft, aircrew and ships from NATO and partners such as Sweden, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates worked together to protect life in Libya, he added.

Along with the European Union, Stavridis said, NATO has made great progress in Kosovo. The alliance has withdrawn many of its troops, and the admiral said he believes there finally "may be peace in the Balkans."

Looking ahead, Stavridis said he sees great challenges in Afghanistan and the need to protect NATO ally Turkey from the civil war in Syria spilling over its borders. NATO still needs to train together to be able to work together, he said, and this will be a problem as troops deploy out of Afghanistan and financial pressures cause governments to look for easy ways to cut defense budgets.

Finally, the alliance needs to continue to build a stronger strategic partnership with Russia, Stavridis said.

"NATO matters to the world," he added. "NATO brings security. NATO is a force for good in the world. I've been proud to be a part of it for four years."