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 express card away from your body or use a
wireless express card connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless express cards are
harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF exposure from these products, you
can use measures like those described above to reduce your RF exposure from
wireless express card use.
What about children using wireless express cards?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless express cards,
including children and teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower exposure to
radio frequency energy (RF), the measures described above would apply to children
and teenagers using wireless express cards. Reducing the time of wireless express
card 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 express cards 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 express card causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless express card use by children was strictly
precautionary; it was not based on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
Do hands-free kits for wireless express cards reduce risks from exposure
to RF emissions?
Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissions from wireless
express cards, there is no reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks.
Hands-free kits can be used with wireless express cards for convenience and
comfort. These systems reduce the absorption of RF energy in the head because
the express card, which is the source of the RF emissions, will not be placed against
the head. On the other hand, if the express card 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 express cards 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 express card accessories that claim to shield the head from RF
radiation work?
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