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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 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
compatible 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.
Additional information on the safety of RF exposures
from various sources can be obtained from the following
organizations:
• FCC RF Safety Program:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Occupational Safety and Health
Administration’s (OSHA) : http://www.osha.
gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
• National institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
emfpg.html
• World health Organization (WHO): http://www.
who.int/peh-emf/
Health and safety information
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection: http://www.icnirp.de
• National Radiation Protection Board (UK):
http://www.nrpb.org.uk
• Updated 4/3/2002: US food and Drug
Administration http://www.fda.gov/cellphones
Road Safety
Your wireless phone gives you the powerful ability to
communicate by voice, almost anywhere, anytime. But
an important responsibility accompanies the benefits of
wireless phones, one that every user must uphold.
When driving a car, driving is your first responsibility.
When using your wireless phone behind the wheel of
a car, practice good common sense and remember the
following tips:
1
Get to know your wireless phone and its
features, such as speed dial and redial. If
available, these features help you to place
your call without taking your attention off the
road.
2
When available, use a hands-free device.
If possible, add an additional layer of
convenience and safety to your wireless
phone with one of the many hands free
accessories available today.
3
Position your wireless phone within easy
reach. Be able to access your wireless phone
without removing your eyes from the road. If
you get an incoming call at an inconvenient
time, let your voice mail answer it for you.
4
Let the person you are speaking with know
you are driving; if necessary, suspend the
call in heavy traffic or hazardous weather
conditions. Rain, sleet, snow, ice and even
heavy traffic can be hazardous.
