Health and Safety Information 144was not based on scientific evidence that any health hazardexists.Do hands-free kits for wireless phones reducerisks from exposure to RF emissions?Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissionsfrom wireless phones, there is no reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks. Hands-free kits can be used with wirelessphones for convenience and comfort. These systems reduce theabsorption of RF energy in the head because the phone, which isthe source of the RF emissions, will not be placed against thehead. On the other hand, if the phone is mounted against thewaist or other part of the body during use, then that part of thebody will absorb more RF energy. Wireless phones marketed inthe U.S. are required to meet safety requirements regardless ofwhether they are used against the head or against the body.Either configuration should result in compliance with the safetylimit.Do wireless phone accessories that claim to shieldthe head from RF radiation work?Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissionsfrom wireless phones, there is no reason to believe thataccessories that claim to shield the head from those emissionsreduce risks. Some products that claim to shield the user from RFabsorption use special phone cases, while others involve nothingmore than a metallic accessory attached to the phone. Studieshave shown that these products generally do not work asadvertised. Unlike "hand-free" kits, these so-called "shields"may interfere with proper operation of the phone. The phone maybe forced to boost its power to compensate, leading to anincrease in RF absorption. In February 2002, the Federal tradeCommission (FTC) charged two companies that sold devices thatclaimed to protect wireless phone users from radiation withmaking false and unsubstantiated claims.According to FTC, these defendants lacked a reasonable basis tosubstantiate their claim.What about wireless phone interference withmedical equipment?Radio frequency energy (RF) from wireless phones can interactwith some electronic devices. For this reason, FDA helpeddevelop a detailed test method to measure electromagneticinterference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers anddefibrillators from wireless telephones. This test method is nowpart of a standard sponsored by the Association for theAdvancement of Medical instrumentation (AAMI). The final draft,a joint effort by FDA, medical device manufacturers, and manyother groups, was completed in late 2000. This standard willallow manufacturers to ensure that cardiac pacemakers anddefibrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI. FDA has testedu810.book Page 144 Friday, May 1, 2009 12:03 PM