Samsung SGH-A767 Series User Manual

Contents

136What about children using wireless phones?The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users ofwireless phones, including children and teenagers. If you want totake steps to lower exposure to radio frequency energy (RF), themeasures described above would apply to children andteenagers using wireless phones. Reducing the time of wirelessphone use and increasing the distance between the user and theRF source will reduce RF exposure.Some groups sponsored by other national governments haveadvised that children be discouraged from using wireless phonesat all. For example, the government in the United Kingdomdistributed leaflets containing such a recommendation inDecember 2000.They noted that no evidence exists that using a wireless phonecauses brain tumors or other ill effects. Their recommendation tolimit wireless phone use by children was strictly precautionary; itwas 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.