UTStarcom CDM8955 User Manual page 83

SAFETY INFORMATION
Manufacturers of wireless phones must report the RF exposure level
for each model of phone to the FCC. The FCC website (http://www.fcc.
gov/oet/rfsafety) gives directions for locating the FCC identification
number on your phone so you can find your phone's RF exposure level in
the online listing.
8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy
coming from wireless phones ?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is develop-
ing 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 tissuesimulating model of the human head. Standardized SAR test
methodology is expected to greatly improve the consistency of measure-
ments 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 mini-
mize 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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FDA CONSUMER UPDATE FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
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.
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 measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted
cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators 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 speci-
fies 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.
SAFETY INFORMATION
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