Section 14: Health and Safety Information 139
Consumer Information on Wireless Phones
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 "hands-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.
What about wireless phone interference with medical equipment?
Radio frequency 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 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 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.
Additional information on the safety of RF exposures from various sources can be obtained from the
following organizations:
• FCC RF Safety Program:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA):
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
