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 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.
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?
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