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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 y
ou ar e
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.
10. 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 othe
r national go vernments
have advised that children be discouraged from using wir eless phones at
all. For example, the government in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets
containing such a re
commendation 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
preca utionary; it was n
ot based on scientific evidence that any health hazar d
exists.
11. What about wireless phone interference with medical equipment?
Radiofrequency 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 car diac pac
emakers
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 de
vice manufacturers, and many other groups, was
completed in late 2000. This standar d will allow manufacturers to ensure that
cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI. 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 standar d specifies test methods and performance
requirements for hearing
aids and wireless phones so that that no interference
occurs when a person uses a “compatible” phone and a “compatible” hearing aid
at the same time. This standar d was approved by the IEEE in 2000. FDA continues
to monit or the use of w
ireless 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.
12. Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, please refer to the following resources:
•
FDA web page on wireless phones
(
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/
RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/
HomeBusinessandEntertainment/CellPhones/default.htm
)
•
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program
(
http://www.fcc .go v/oet/rfsafety
)
•
Interna tional Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
(
http://www.icnirp.de
)
•
World Health Organization (WHO) Interna tional EMF Project
(
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/
)
•
National Radiological Protection Board (UK)
(
http://www.hpa.or g .uk/radiation/
)