Health and safety information
52
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.
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
