Safety
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Safety
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.
11. What about wireless phone
interference with medical
equipment?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy
from wireless phones can
interact with some electronic
devices. For this reason, the
FDA helped develop a detailed
test method to measure Electro
Magnetic Interference (EMI) of
implanted cardiac pacemakers
and defibrillators from wireless
telephones. 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 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?
For additional information, please
refer to the following resources:
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