24
final draft, a joint effort by the 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 phone EMI. The FDA has tested
hearing aids for interference from handheld wireless
phones 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 phones so that no interference occurs when a
person uses a ‘compatible’ phone and a ‘compatible’
hearing aid at the same time. This standard was
approved by the IEEE in 2000. The FDA continues
to monitor the use of wireless phones for possible
interactions with other medical devices. Should harmful
interference be found to occur, the FDA will conduct
testing to assess the interference and work to resolve
the problem.
12. Where can I find additional information?
Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada
(https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09583.
html)
F
or additional information, please refer to the following
resources: FDA web page on wireless phones
(http://www.fda.gov/)
F
ederal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety
Program (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety)
International Commission on Non-lonizing Radiation
Protection (http://www.icnirp.de)
World Health Organization (WHO) International EMF
Project (http://www.who.int/emf)
National Radiological Protection Board (UK)
(http://www.nrpb.org.uk/)