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Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned
about the RF exposure from these products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce
your RF exposure from wireless phone use.
10. What about children using wireless phones?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless phones, including children and
teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower exposure to radio frequency energy (RF), the measures
described above would apply to children and teenagers using wireless phones. Reducing the time of
wireless phone use and increasing the distance between the user and the RF source will reduce RF
exposure.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.
11. 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 method is now part
of a standard sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Medical instrumentation (AAMI).
The final draft, a joint effort by FDA, medical device manufacturers, and many other groups, was
completed in late 2000. This standard will allow manufacturers to ensure that cardiac pacemakers and
defibrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI. FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from
handheld wireless phones and helped develop a voluntary standard sponsored by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and performance
requirements for hearing aids and wireless phones so that no interference occurs when a person uses a
compatible phone and a accompanied hearing aid at the same time. This standard was approved by the
IEEE in 2000.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possible interactions with other medical
devices. Should harmful interference be found to occur, FDA will conduct testing to assess the
interference and work to resolve the problem.
12. Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, please refer to the following resources:
•
FDA web page on wireless phones
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/phones/index.html
