User's Manual

18
safety and usage information
discouraged from using wireless phones at all. For
example, the government in the United Kingdom
distributed leaflets containing such a
recommendation in December 2000. They noted
that no evidence exists that using a wireless phone
causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless phone use by
children was strictly precautionary; it was not based
on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
Do hands-free kits for wireless phones
reduce risks from exposure to RF
emissions?
Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF
emissions from wireless phones, there is no reason
to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks. Hands-
free kits can be used with wireless phones for
convenience and comfort. These systems reduce
the absorption of RF energy in the head because the
phone, which is the source of the RF emissions, will
not be placed against the head. On the other hand,
if the phone is mounted against the waist or other
part of the body during use, then that part of the
body will absorb more RF energy. Wireless phones
marketed in the U.S. are required to meet safety
requirements regardless of whether they are used
against the head or against the body. Either
configuration should result in compliance with the
safety limit.
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 “hand-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