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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
