Pantech Hotshot User Manual

Also see for Hotshot: Guías del usuario

12801020304050607081293. What kinds of phones are the subject of this update?The term “wireless phone” refers here to hand-held wireless phones with built-inantennas, often called “cell,”“mobile,” or “PCS” phones. These types of wirelessphones can expose the user to measurable radiofrequency energy (RF) because ofthe short distance between the phone and the user’s head.These RF exposures are limited by Federal Communications Commission safetyguidelines that were developed with the advice of FDA and other federal healthand safety agencies. When the phone is located at greater distances from the user,the exposure to RF is drastically lower because a person’s RF exposure decreasesrapidly with increasing distance from the source. The so-called “cordless phones,”which have a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house, typicallyoperate at far lower power levels, and thus produce RF exposures far below theFCC safety limits.4. What are the results of the research done already?The research done thus far has produced conflicting results, and many studieshave suffered from flaws in their research methods. Animal experimentsinvestigating the effects of radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures characteristic ofwireless phones have yielded conflicting results that often cannot be repeated inother laboratories. A few animal studies, however, have suggested that low levelsof RF could accelerate the development of cancer in laboratory animals. However,many of the studies that showed increased tumor development used animalsthat had been genetically engineered or treated with cancer-causing chemicalsso as to be predisposed to develop cancer in the absence of RF exposure. Otherstudies exposed the animals to RF for up to 22 hours per day. These conditions arenot similar to the conditions under which people use wireless phones, so we don’tknow with certainty what the results of such studies mean for human health.Three large epidemiology studies have been published since December 2000.Between them, the studies investigated any possible association between the useof wireless phones and primary brain cancer, glioma, meningioma, or acousticneu-roma, tumors of the brain or salivary gland, leukemia, or other cancers. Noneof the studies demonstrated the existence of any harmful health effects fromwireless phone RF exposures.However, none of the studies can answer questions about long-term exposures,since the average period of phone use in these studies was around three years.5. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure from wirelessphones poses a health risk?A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of peopleactually using wireless phones would provide some of the data that are needed.Lifetime animal exposure studies could be completed in a few years. However,very large numbers of animals would be needed to provide reliable proof of acancer promoting effect if one exists. Epidemiological studies can provide datathat is directly applicable to human populations, but 10 or more years’ follow-upmay be needed to provide answers about some health effects, such as cancer.This is because the interval between the time of exposure to a cancer-causingagent and the time tumors develop - if they do -may be many, many years. Theinterpretation of epidemiological studies is hampered by difficulties in measuringactual RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireless phones. Many factors affectthis measurement, such as the angle at which the phone is held, or which modelof phone is used.6. What is FDA doing to find out more about the possible health effects ofwireless phone RF?FDA is working with the U.S. National Toxicology Program and with groups ofinvestigators around the world to ensure that high priority animal studies areconducted to address important questions about the effects of exposure toradiofrequency energy (RF). FDA has been a leading participant in the World