User guide

Development Agreement(CRADA) to do research on wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientic oversight, obtaining
input from experts in government, industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted through
contracts to independent investigators. The initial research will include both laboratory studies and studies of wireless
phone users. The CRADA will also include a broad assessment of additional research needs in the context of the latest
research developments around the world.
7. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency energy from my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these products--and at this point we do not know that there is--it is probably very small. But if
you are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, you can take a few simple steps to minimize your exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF). Since time is a key factor in how much exposure a person receives, reducing the amount of
time spent using a wireless phone will reduce RF exposure.
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If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless phone every day, you could place more distance between your
body and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops o dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a wireless phone connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientic data do not demonstrate that wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF
exposure from these products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce your RF exposure from wireless
phone use.
8. What about children using wireless phones?
The scientic evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless phones, including children and teenagers. If you want
to take steps to lower exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF), the measures described above would apply to children and
teenagers using wireless phones.
Reducing the time of wireless phone use and increasing the distance between the user and the RF source will reduce RF
exposure. Some groups sponsored by other national governments have advised that children be discouraged from using
wireless phones at all.
For example, the government in the United Kingdom distributed leaets containing such a recommendation in December
2000. They noted that no evidence exists that using a wireless phone causes brain tumors or other ill eects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless phone use by children was strictly precautionary: it was not based on scientic evidence
that any health hazard exists.
9. 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 conguration should
result in compliance with the safety limit.
10. 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 absorption. In February 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged two companies that
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