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Health and safety information
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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.
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
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