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International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and others to
assure that safety standards continue to
adequately protect the public.
Reducing Exposure: Hands-Free Kits
and Other Accessories
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Radio
Frequency Energy
If there is a risk from being exposed to radio
frequency energy (RF) from cell phones - 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 RF
exposure.
•
Reduce the amount of time spent using your cell
phone;
•
Use speaker mode or a headset to place more
distance between your head and the cell phone.
Hands-Free Kits
Hands-free kits may include audio or Bluetooth
headsets and various types of body-worn
accessories such as belt-clips and holsters.
Combinations of these can be used to reduce RF
energy absorption from cell phones.
Headsets can substantially reduce exposure
because the phone is held away from the head in
the user's hand or in approved body-worn
accessories. Cell phones marketed in the U.S.
are required to meet RF exposure compliance
requirements when used against the head and
against the body.
Because there are no known risks from exposure
to RF emissions from cell phones, there is no
reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce
risks. Hands-free kits can be used for
convenience and comfort. They are also required
by law in many states if you want to use your
phone while driving.
Cell Phone Accessories that Claim to Shield
the Head from RF Radiation
Because there are no known risks from exposure
to RF emissions from cell phones, there is no
reason to believe that accessories which claim to
shield the head from those emissions reduce
risks. Some products that claim to shield the
user from RF absorption use special phone
cases, while others involve nothing more than a
metallic accessory attached to the phone.
Studies have shown that these products
®
generally do not work as advertised. Unlike
"hands-free" kits, these so-called "shields" may
interfere with proper operation of the phone. The
phone may be forced to boost its power to
compensate, leading to an increase in RF
absorption.
Health and Safety Information
117
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