Table of Contents
Advertisement
exposure from these products, you can use measures like
those described above to reduce your RF exposure from
wireless phone use.
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 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.
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
29
Advertisement
Table of Contents
