Wireless Phones - Nokia 2285 User Manual

Appendix B
8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy coming from

wireless phones?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for
measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless phones and other wireless
handsets with the participation and leadership of FDA scientists and engineers. The standard,
Recommended Practice for Determining the Spatial-Peak Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the
Human Body Due to Wireless Communications Devices: Experimental Techniques, sets forth
the first consistent test methodology for measuring the rate at which RF is deposited in the
heads of wireless phone users. The test method uses a tissue-simulating model of the human
head. Standardized SAR test methodology is expected to greatly improve the consistency of
measurements made at different laboratories on the same phone. SAR is the measurement of the
amount of energy absorbed in tissue, either by the whole body or a small part of the body. It is
measured in watts/kg (or milliwatts/g) of matter. This measurement is used to determine whether
a wireless phone complies with safety guidelines.
9. 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.
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.
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 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.
[ 93 ]