User Manual

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8. How can I find out how much Radio Frequency energy exposure I can get by using my wireless device?
All wireless devices sold in the United States must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines
that limit Radio Frequency (RF) energy exposures. The FCC established these guidelines in consultation with the FDA
and the other federal health and safety agencies. The FCC limit for RF exposure from wireless devices is set at a
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6W/kg). The FCC limit is consistent with the safety
standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and the National Council on
Radiation Protection and Measurement. The exposure limit takes into consideration the body’s ability to remove heat
from the tissues that absorb energy from the wireless device and is set well below levels known to have effects.
Manufacturers of wireless devices must report the RF exposure level for each model of device to the FCC.
The FCC website (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafty) gives directions for locating the FCC identification number on your
device, so you can find your device’s RF exposure level in the online listing.
9. What about children using wireless devices?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless devices, including children and teenagers. If you
want to take steps to lower exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) energy, the measures described above would apply to
children and teenagers using wireless devices. Reducing the time of wireless device 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
devices 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 device causes brain
tumors or other ill effects. Their recommendation to limit wireless device use by children was strictly precautionary; it was
not based on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
10. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to Radio Frequency energy from my wireless device?
If there is a risk from these wireless devices 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
Radio Frequency (RF) energy. Since time is a key factor in how much exposure a person receives, reducing the amount
of time spent using a wireless device will reduce RF exposure. If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless
device on a daily basis, consider placing 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 device away from
your body or use a wireless device connected to a remote antenna. Again, the scientific data does not demonstrate that
wireless devices 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 device use.
11. What about wireless device interference with medical equipment?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy from wireless devices can interact with some electronic devices. For this reason, the FDA
helped develop a detailed test method to measure Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers
and defibrillators from wireless devices. 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 the 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 device EMI. The FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from
handheld wireless devices 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 devices so that no interference occurs when a person uses a “compatible” device and a “compatible” hearing
aid simultaneously. This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000. The FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless
devices for possible interactions with other medical devices. Should harmful interference be found to occur, the FDA will
conduct testing to assess the interference and work to resolve the problem.
12. Where can I find additional information?
For additional information, please refer to the following resources: FDA web page on wireless phones
(http://www.fda.gov), under “C” in the subject index, select Cell Phones > Current Research Results. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cellular.html) International Commission
on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (http://www.icnirp.de)