173
172
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Posted Facilities
Turn your phone OFF in any facility where posted notices so require.
Aircraft
FCC regulations prohibit using your phone while in the air. Switch OFF your phone before boarding an aircraft.
Blasting Areas
To avoid interfering with blasting operations, turn your phone OFF when in a “blasting area” or in areas
posted : “Turn off two-way radio”. Obey all signs and instructions.
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
Turn your phone OFF when in any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere and obey all signs and
instructions. Sparks in such areas could cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death.
Areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere are often, but not always marked clearly. Potential areas may
include : fueling areas (such as gasoline stations); below deck on boats; fuel or chemical transfer or storage
facilities; vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (such as propane or butane); areas where the air contains
chemicals or particles (such as grain, dust, or metal powders); and any other area where you would normally
be advised to turn off your vehicle engine.
FDA Consumer Update
Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using wireless
phones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels
of radiofrequency energy (RF) in the microwave range while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF
when in the stand-by mode.
Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low level RF that does
not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low level RF exposures
have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that some biological effects may occur,
but such findings have not been confirmed by additional research. In some cases, other researchers have had
difficulty in reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
What is FDA s role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless
phones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has
authority to take action if wireless phones are shown to emit radiofrequency energy (RF) at a level that is
hazardous to the user. In such a case, FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones to notify users
of the health hazard and to repair, replace or recall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists.