Table of Contents
Advertisement
devices, there is no reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks. Hands-free
kits can be used with wireless devices for convenience and comfort. These systems
reduce the absorpti on of RF energy in the head because the device, which is the
source of the RF emissions, will not be placed against the head. On the other hand,
if the device 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 devices 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 confi gurati on should result in
compliance with the safety limit.
10. Do wireless device accessories that claim to shield the head from RF radiati on
work?
Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissions from wireless
devices, 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 absorpti on use special device cases, while others involve nothing more
than a metallic accessory att ached to the device. Studies have shown that these
products generally do not work as adverti sed. Unlike "hand-free" kits, these
so-called "shields" may interfere with proper operati on of the device. The device
may be forced to boost its power to compensate, leading to an increase in RF
absorpti on. In February 2002, the Federal trade Commission (FTC) charged two
companies that sold devices that claimed to protect wireless device users from
radiati on with making false and unsubstanti ated claims. According to FTC, these
defendants lacked a reasonable basis to substanti ate their claim.
11. What about wireless device interference with medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless devices can interact with some electronic
devices. For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed test method to measure
electromagneti c interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers and
42
Advertisement
Table of Contents
