SAFETY
7. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to
radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency 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 the RF exposure from these
products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce
your RF exposure from wireless phone use.
8. 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 radiofrequency energy (RF), the measures 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.
135
134
SAFETY
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.
9. 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.
10. 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
wirelessphones, 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.
