Federal Regulation

Three federal agencies play a role in ensuring the safety of cellular telephones by sharing responsibility for regulating devices that emit radio-frequency radiation and protecting the public from exposure to radiation: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, requested that we review (1) the status of scientific knowledge on the potential health risks of radio-frequency radiation emitted by portable cellular telephones and federal involvement in any related research and (2) the actions of the responsible federal agencies to ensure the safety of portable cellular telephones and similar communications devices. Existing Data on Exposure to Low-Level Radio-Frequency Radiation Are Inconclusive

To date, neither the federal government nor the telecommunications industry has completed any studies to determine specifically if the use of portable cellular telephones poses health risks. However, this study did not attempt to assess whether exposure to these electric field emissions could present risks to human health. FDA and National Science Foundation officials said that both epidemiological and laboratory research are needed to determine whether portable cellular telephones present risks to users. Motorola is funding a series of laboratory studies on the effects of radiation from portable cellular telephones on animals and cells but no epidemiological studies observing the effects on humans. FDA is working with cellular telephone manufacturers on possible design changes for these telephones and improved instructions for use. In 1993, FCC proposed adopting the revised version of the ANSI standard to update its environmental rules.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the biological effects of radio-frequency radiation emitted by portable cellular telephones and the federal government's regulatory actions to ensure the safety of these telephones.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) no research has been completed on long-term human exposure to low levels of radiation from portable cellular telephones, and research findings on exposure to other sources of low-level radio-frequency radiation are inconclusive; (2) existing research does not provide enough evidence to determine whether portable cellular telephones pose a risk to human health; (3) although the cellular telecommunications industry is planning to carry out both epidemiological and laboratory studies on the effects of portable cellular telephone use on human health, federal regulators need to ensure that these studies are carried out objectively; (4) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with cellular telephone manufacturers to minimize cellular telephone users' exposure to radiation; (5) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assessing the status of scientific knowledge on prolonged exposure to radio-frequency radiation; and (6) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has relied on a 1982 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety standard to regulate cellular telephones, but is considering adopting the revised version of the ANSI standard for equipment it approves for use.