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Appendix
investigators. The initial research will include
both laboratory studies and studies of wireless
phone users. The CRADA will also include a broad
assessment of additional research needs in the
context of the latest research developments
around the world.
5. 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.
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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 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.
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
Appendix
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 claimed to
protect wireless phone users from radiation with
making false and unsubstantiated claims.
According to FTC, these defendants lacked a
reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.
9. What about wireless phone interference with
medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless
phones can interact with some electronic devices.
For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed
test method to measure electromagnetic
interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac
pacemakers and defibrillators from wireless
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