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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.
11. What about wireless phone interference with
medical equipment?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy from wireless phones can
interact with some electronic devices. For this reason, the
FDA helped develop a detailed test method to measure
Electro Magnetic 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
the 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.
The FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from
handheld 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.
The FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones
for possible interactions with other medical devices.
Should harmful interference be found to occur, the FDA