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Health and safety information
188
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
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 FTC, these defendants lacked a reasonable
basis to substantiate their claim.