User's Manual

Do wireless TABLET accessories that claim to shield the head from RF radiation work?
Since there are no known risks from exposure to RF emissions from wireless TABLETs,
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 TABLET cases, while others involve nothing more than a metallic accessory
attached to the TABLET. 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 TABLET. The TABLET may be forced to boost its power to
compensate, leading to an increase in RF absorption. In February 2002, the Federal
trade Commission (FTC) charged two companies that sold devices that claimed to
protect wireless TABLET users from radiation with making false and unsubstantiated
claims. According to FTC, these defendants lacked a reasonable basis to substantiate
their claim.
What about wireless TABLET interference with medical equipment?
Radio frequency energy (RF) from wireless TABLETs can interact with some electronic
devices. For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed test method to measure
electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators
from wireless teleTABLETs. This test method is now part of a standard sponsored by the
Association for the Advancement of Medical instrumentation (AAMI). The final draft, a
joint effort by FDA, medical device manufacturers, and many other groups, was
completed in late 2000. This standard will allow manufacturers to ensure that cardiac
pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from wireless TABLET EMI. FDA has tested
wireless TABLETs and helped develop a voluntary standard sponsored by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and
performance requirements for hearing aids and wireless TABLETs so that no interference
occurs when a person uses a compatible TABLET and a compatible hearing aid at the
same time. This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless TABLETs for possible interactions with
other medical devices. Should harmful interference be found to occur, FDA will conduct
testing to assess the interference and work to resolve the problem.
Additional information on the safety of RF exposures from various sources can be
obtained from the following organizations:
• FCC RF Safety Program : ttp://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) : http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) :
ttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
• National institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) :
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emfpg.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.nrpb.org.uk
• Updated 4/3/2002: US food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/cellTABLETs