Health and Safety Information
180
sets forth the first consistent test methodology for measuring
the rate at which RF is deposited in the heads of wireless
phone users. The test method uses a tissue-simulating model
of the human head. Standardized SAR test methodology is
expected to greatly improve the consistency of measurements
made at different laboratories on the same phone. SAR is the
measurement of the amount of energy absorbed in tissue,
either by the whole body or a small part of the body. It is
measured in watts/kg (or milliwatts/g) of matter. This
measurement is used to determine whether a wireless phone
complies with safety guidelines.
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to
radio frequency energy from my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these products--and at this point we do
not know that there is--it is probably very small. But if you
are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, you can
take a few simple steps to minimize your exposure to radio
frequency energy (RF). Since time is a key factor in how much
exposure a person receives, reducing the amount of time
spent using a wireless phone will reduce RF exposure.
If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless
phone every day, you could place more distance between your
body and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops
off dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or
use a wireless phone connected to a
remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless
phones are harmful. But if you are concerned about RF
exposure from these products, you can use measures like
those described above to reduce your RF exposure from
wireless phone use.
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181
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 measured 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.
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 on
late 2000. This standard will allow manufacturers to ensure
that cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from
wireless phone EMI.
Summary of Contents for SGH-P716
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