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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?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy from wireless phones can interact with some
electronic devices. For this reason, the FDA helped develop a detailed test
method to measure Electro Magnetic 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 the 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.
The 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.
The FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possible
interactions with other medical devices. Should harmful interference be
found to occur, the 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:
