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Do wireless phone accessories that claim
to shield the head from RF radiation work?
Since there are no known risks from exposure to
RF emissions from wireless phones, there is no
reason to believe that accessories that claim to
shield the head from those emissions reduce risks.
Some products that claim to shield the user from
RF absorption use special phone cases, while others
involve nothing more than a metallic accessory
attached to the phone. Studies have shown that
these products generally do not work as advertised.
Unlike "hand-free" kits, these so-called "shields"
may interfere with proper operation of the phone.
The phone may be forced to boost its power to
compensate, leading to an increase in RF absorption.
In February 2002, the Federal trade Commission
(FTC) charged two companies that sold devices that
claimed to protect wireless phone users from radiation
with making false and unsubstantiated claims.
According to the FTC, these defendants lacked a
reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.
What about wireless phone
interference with medical equipment?
Radio frequency energy (RF) from wireless phones
can interact with some electronic devices. For this
reason, FDA helped develop a detailed test method
to measure electromagnetic interference (EMI)
of implanted cardiac pacemakers and
defibrillators from wireless telephones. This test
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Some groups sponsored by other national
governments have advised that children be
discouraged from using wireless phones at all.
For example, the government in the United
Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such a
recommendation in December 2000. They noted
that no evidence exists that using a wireless phone
causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless phone use by
children was strictly precautionary; it was not based
on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
Do hands-free kits for wireless phones
reduce risks from exposure to RF
emissions?
Since there are no known risks from exposure
to RF emissions from wireless phones, there is no
reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks.
Hands-free kits can be used with wireless phones
for convenience and comfort. These systems reduce
the absorption of RF energy in the head because
the phone, which is the source of the RF emissions,
will not be placed against the head. On the other
hand, if the phone is mounted against the waist
or other part of the body during use, then that
part of the body will absorb more RF energy.
Wireless phones marketed in the U.S. are required
to meet safety requirements regardless of whether
they are used against the head or against the body.
Either configuration should result in compliance
with the safety limit.
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