Appendix
67
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 be 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 substanti-
ate their claim.
10. What about wireless phone interference with
medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless phones
can interact with some electronic devices.
For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed
test method to measure electromagnetic interfer-
ence (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 hearing aids for interference from
handheld 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 inter-
ference and work to resolve the problem.
Updated July 29, 2003
For more information, please visit the FDA website
at
http://www.fda.gov/cellphones
.
66
Appendix
research programs around the world. The Project
has also helped develop a series of public informa-
tion documents on EMF issues.
FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications
& Internet Association (CTIA) have a formal
Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to do research on wireless
phone safety. FDA provides the scientific oversight,
obtaining input from experts in government,
industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-
funded research is conducted through contracts
to independent investigators. The initial research
will include both laboratory studies and studies of
wireless phone users. The CRADA will also include
a broad assessment of additional research needs
in the context of the latest research developments
around the world.
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 dra-
matically 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 con-
cerned 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 govern-
ments have advised that children be discouraged
from using wireless phones at all. For example,
the government in the United Kingdom distrib-
uted 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 evi-
dence that any health hazard exists.
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