He
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and Saf
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He
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and Saf
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Health and Safety 151
150 Health and Safety
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and others to assure
that safety standards continue to adequately protect the public.
Reducing Exposure: Hands-Free Kits and Other Accessories
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Radio Frequency Energy
If there is a risk from being exposed to radio frequency energy (RF) from cell
phones - 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 RF exposure.
• Reduce the amount of time spent using your cell phone;
• Use speaker mode or a headset to place more distance between your head
and the cell phone.
Hands-Free Kits
Hands-free kits may include audio or Bluetooth® headsets and various types of
body-worn accessories such as belt-clips and holsters. Combinations of these
can be used to reduce RF energy absorption from cell phones.
Headsets can substantially reduce exposure because the phone is held away
from the head in the user’s hand or in approved body worn accessories. Cell
phones marketed in the U.S. are required to meet RF exposure compliance
requirements when used against the head and against the body.
Because there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissions from cell
phones, there is no reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks. Hands-
free kits can be used for convenience and comfort. They are also required by law
in many states if you want to use your phone while driving.
Cell Phone Accessories that Claim to Shield the Head from RF Radiation
Because there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissions from cell
phones, there is no reason to believe that accessories which 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 “hands-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.
