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Safety
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level drops off dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless device away from your body or use a
wireless device connected to a remote antenna. Again, the scientific data
does not demonstrate that wireless devices 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 device use.
10. What about children using wireless devices?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless
devices, including children and teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower
exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) energy, the measures described above
would apply to children and teenagers using wireless devices. Reducing the
time of wireless device 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 devices 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 device causes
brain tumors or other ill effects. Their recommendation to limit wireless
device use by children was strictly precautionary; it was not based on
scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
11. What about wireless device interference with medical equipment?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy from wireless devices 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
device EMI.
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