Blackberry BlackBerry Wireless Handheld Frequently Asked Questions Manual - Page 7

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FDA Consumer Update

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.

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 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.

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 cases, while others involve

nothing more than a metallic accessory attached to the phone. Studies have shown that these products

generally do not work as advertised. Unlike "hand-free" kits, these so-called "shields" may interfere

with proper operation of the phone. The phone may be forced to boost its power to compensate,

leading to an increase in RF absorption. In February 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

charged two companies that sold devices that claimed to protect wireless phone users from radiation

with making false and unsubstantiated claims. According to FTC, these defendants lacked a reasonable

basis to substantiate their claim.

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