Pantech CDM-8935 User Manual page 58

SAFETY AND WARRANTY
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 measure-
ment 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 measure-
ment 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, reduc-
ing 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.
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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 discour-
aged 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.
11. 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 mea-
sure electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibril-
lators 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 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 phone EMI. FDA
has tested hearing aids for interference from handheld wireless phones and helped
develop a voluntary standard sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and performance requirements
for hearing aids and wireless phones so that that no interference occurs when a
person uses a "compatible" phone and a "compatible" hearing aid at the same time.
This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000. FDA continues to monitor the use of
wireless phones for possible interactions with other medical devices. Should harmful
interference be found to occur, FDA will conduct testing to assess the interference and
work to resolve the problem.
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