141What 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 testedwireless phones and helped develop a voluntary standardsponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers(IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and performancerequirements for hearing aids and wireless phones so that nointerference occurs when a person uses a compatible phone anda compatible hearing aid at the same time. This standard wasapproved by the IEEE in 2000.FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possibleinteractions with other medical devices. Should harmfulinterference be found to occur, FDA will conduct testing to assessthe interference and work to resolve the problem.Additional information on the safety of RF exposures from varioussources can be obtained from the following organizations(Updated 12/1/2006):• 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• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html• World Health Organization (WHO):http://www.who.int/peh-emf/• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection:http://www.icnirp.de• National Radiation Protection Board (UK):http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation• US Food and Drug Administrationhttp://www.fda.gov/cellphonesRoad SafetyYour wireless phone gives you the powerful ability tocommunicate by voice, almost anywhere, anytime. But animportant responsibility accompanies the benefits of wirelessphones, one that every user must uphold.
