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8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy coming from wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for measuring the
radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless phones and other wireless handsets with the participation and
leadership of FDA scientists and engineers. The standard, “Recommended Practice for Determining the Spatial-
Peak Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the Human Body Due to Wireless Communications Devices: Experimental
Techniques,” sets forth the first consistent test methodology for measuring the rate at which RF is deposited in the
heads of wireless phone users. The test method uses a tissue-simulating model of the human head. Standardized
SAR test methodology is expected to greatly improve the consistency of measurements made by different
laboratories on the same phone. SAR is the measurement of the amount of energy absorbed in tissue, either by the
whole body or a small part of the body. It is measured in watts/kg (or milliwatts/g) of matter. This measurement is
used to determine whether a wireless phone complies with safety guidelines.
9. 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.
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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.
10. What about children using wireless phones?
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. 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.
11. 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 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 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 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.
12. Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, please refer to the following resources:
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FDA web page on wireless phones (http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProducts
andProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/CellPhones/default.htm)
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety)
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International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (http://www.icnirp.de)
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World Health Organization (WHO) International EMF Project (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/)
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National Radiological Protection Board (UK) (http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/)
AVOID POTENTIAL HEARING LOSS
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds (including music) is the most common cause of preventable hearing loss.
Some scientific research suggests that using portable audio devices, such as portable music players and cellular
telephones, at high volume settings for long durations may lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss. This
includes the use of headphones (including headsets, earbuds and Bluetooth® or other wireless devices). Exposure
to very loud sound has also been associated in some studies with tinnitus (a ringing in the ear), hypersensitivity to
sound and distorted hearing. Individual susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss and other potential hearing
problems varies.
