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.
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.
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
wireless phones, 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. 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 substantiate their
claim.
What about wireless phone interference with medical equipment?
Radio frequency 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
