Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed

Citation
General Accounting Office, Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed (GAO-12-771) (July 24, 2012) (full-text).

Overview
Scientific research to date has not demonstrated adverse human health effects of exposure to radio-frequency (RF) energy from mobile phone use, but research is ongoing that may increase understanding of any possible effects. The GAO was asked to examine several issues related to mobile phone health effects and [[regulation].

Specifically, this report addresses (1) what is known about the health effects of RF energy from mobile phones and what are current research activities, (2) how the FCC set the RF energy exposure limit for [[mobile phones, and (3) federal agency and industry actions to inform the public about health issues related to mobile phones, among other things.

The GAO recommends that the FCC formally reassess and, if appropriate, change its current RF energy exposure limit and mobile phone testing requirements related to likely usage configurations, particularly when phones are held against the body. The FCC noted that a draft document currently under consideration by the FCC has the potential to address GAO's recommendations.