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 ensure that cardiac pacemakers
and defibrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI.
FDA has tested 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.
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.
Additional information on the safety of RF exposures
from various sources can be obtained from the following
organizations:
• FCC RF Safety Program:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s
(OSHA) : http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/
radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
• National institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emfpg.html
• World health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.
int/peh-emf/
Health and safety information
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation
Protection: http://www.icnirp.de
• National Radiation Protection Board (UK): http://www.
nrpb.org.uk
• Updated 4/3/2002: US food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov/cellphones
Road Safety
Your wireless phone gives you the powerful ability to
communicate by voice, almost anywhere, anytime. But
an important responsibility accompanies the benefits of
wireless phones, one that every user must uphold.
When driving a car, driving is your first responsibility.
When using your wireless phone behind the wheel of
a car, practice good common sense and remember the
following tips:
1
Get to know your wireless phone and its features,
such as speed dial and redial. If available, these
features help you to place your call without taking
your attention off the road.
2
When available, use a hands-free device. If possible,
add an additional layer of convenience and safety to
your wireless phone with one of the many hands free
accessories available today.
3
Position your wireless phone within easy reach. Be
able to access your wireless phone without removing
your eyes from the road. If you get an incoming call
at an inconvenient time, let your voice mail answer it
for you.
4
Let the person you are speaking with know you are
driving; if necessary, suspend the call in heavy traffic
or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet, snow,
ice and even heavy traffic can be hazardous.
5
Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while
driving. Jotting down a “to do” list or flipping through
your address book takes attention away from your
primary responsibility, driving safely.
