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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.
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 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 "hand-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. In February 2002, the Federal
trade Commission (FTC) charged two companies that sold devices that
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