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FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
SAFETY AND WARRANTY
10. What about children using wireless handsets?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless hand-
sets, 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 handsets. Reducing
the time of wireless handset use and increasing the distance between
the user and the RF source will reduce RF exposure. Some groups spon-
sored by other national governments have advised that children be dis-
couraged from using wireless handsets at all. For example, the govern-
ment in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such a rec-
ommendation in December 2000. They noted that no evidence exists that
using a wireless handset causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless handset use by children was strictly
precautionary; it was not based on scientific evidence that any health
hazard exists.
11. What about wireless handset interference with medical
equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless handsets 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 devices. 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
handset EMI. FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from handheld
wireless handsets 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 handsets so that no interference occurs when a person uses
a “compatible” handset 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 handsets 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.
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SAFETY AND WARRANTY
FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy
coming from wireless handsets ?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a
technical standard for measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF)
exposure from wireless handsets and other wireless handsets with the
participation and leadership of FDA scientists and engineers.
The standard, “Recommended Practice for Determining the Spatial-Peak
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the Human Body Due to Wireless
Communications Devices: Experimental Techniques,” sets forth the first
consistent test methodology for measuring the rate at which RF is
deposited in the heads of wireless handset users. The test method uses a
tissue-simulating model of the human head. Standardized SAR test
methodology is expected to greatly improve the consistency of
measurements made at different laboratories on the same handset. SAR
is the measurement of the amount of energy absorbed in tissue, either
by the whole body or a small part of the body. It is measured in watts/kg
(or milliwatts/g) of matter. This measurement is used to determine
whether a wireless handset complies with safety guidelines.
9. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency
energy from my wireless handset?
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 handset will reduce RF exposure.
• If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless handset 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 handset
away from your body or use a wireless handset connected to a remote
antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless handsets 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 handset use.
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