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Health and Safety Information 129
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 radio
frequency 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.
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.
6. 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 radio frequency 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.
7. 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.
8. 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