81
80
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.
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.
6. What about children using wireless phones?
The 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.
7. 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.
8. Do wireless phone accessories that claim to shield
the head from RF radiation work?
