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Section 4A: Safety 135
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency energy
from my wireless phone?
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 phone will
reduce RF exposure.
Ⅲ If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless phone 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 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 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 phone use.
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 other national governments have advised that
children be discouraged from using wireless phones at all. For example, the
government in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such a
recommendation 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
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 handsfree 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.