Telecommunications: Status of Research on the Safety of Cellular Telephones
RCED-95-32
Published: Nov 04, 1994. Publicly Released: Nov 22, 1994.
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Highlights
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.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Drug Administration | The Commissioner, FDA, and the Administrator, EPA, in coordination with the Chairman, FCC, should work with the industry's Science Advisory Group on Cellular Telephone Safety to maximize the usefulness, independence, and objectivity of its planned research initiative. This effort could include participating in the selection of research proposals to determine whether they meet federal research standards and reviewing research results. This effort would be in addition to ongoing and planned federal research. |
Closed – Implemented
In a letter to the Comptroller General, dated April 24, 1995, FDA indicated that it will review the research conducted by the Cellular Telephone Industry Association's research program when it is completed (estimated to be around June, 1998), and that it would be pleased to work with the industry to oversee the research if requested to do so. In a letter dated April 10, 1995, the chairman of the science advisory group--the research group conducting the research on the safety of cellular telephones for the industry association--reported that the advisory group had established regular, day-long "working sessions" with federal agencies, including FDA, for input into the research program.
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| Environmental Protection Agency | The Commissioner, FDA, and the Administrator, EPA, in coordination with the Chairman, FCC, should work with the industry's Science Advisory Group on Cellular Telephone Safety to maximize the usefulness, independence, and objectivity of its planned research initiative. This effort could include participating in the selection of research proposals to determine whether they meet federal research standards and reviewing research results. This effort would be in addition to ongoing and planned federal research. |
Closed – Implemented
In a letter to the Comptroller General, dated April 3, 1995, EPA indicated that it has informally worked with the Cellular Telephone Industry Association's Science Advisory Group--the group conducting the research on the safety of cellular telephones for the industry association--since Spring 1994. As a result of meetings with the advisory group to discuss strategy and mechanisms for sharing information, a representative from EPA became a participant in the advisory group's Peer Review Committee that will review and recommend proposed research projects for funding. In addition, the chairman of the science advisory groups reported in a letter dated April 10, 1995, that the advisory group had established regular, day-long "working sessions" with federal agencies, including EPA, for input into the research program (which is estimated to be completed around June, 1998).
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| Federal Communications Commission | The Commissioner, FDA, and the Administrator, EPA, in coordination with the Chairman, FCC, should work with the industry's Science Advisory Group on Cellular Telephone Safety to maximize the usefulness, independence, and objectivity of its planned research initiative. This effort could include participating in the selection of research proposals to determine whether they meet federal research standards and reviewing research results. This effort would be in addition to ongoing and planned federal research. |
Closed – Implemented
In a letter to the Comptroller General, dated January 3, 1995, FCC indicated that it has already begun to engage in recommended activities including attending meetings and seminars with officials from EPA, FDA, and the science advisory group relating to cellular telephone safety, and intends to continue these efforts to the extent that the agencies' resources and expertise allow. In addition, the chairman of the science advisory groups reported, in a letter dated April 10, 1995, that the advisory group had established regular, day-long "working sessions" with federal agencies, including FCC, for input into the research program (which is estimated to be completed around June, 1998).
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Cancer researchCellular telephonesConsumer protectionHealth hazardsProduct safetyPublic health researchRadiation exposure hazardsRegulatory agenciesSafety standardsTelecommunicationsRadio frequency