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10. What about children using wireless devices?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless devices,
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 devices. Reducing the time of wireless device 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 devices 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 device causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their recommendation to
limit wireless device use by children was strictly precautionary;
it was not based on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
11. What about wireless device interference with medical
equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless devices can interact with some
electronic devices. For this reason, the FDA helped develop a detailed test method
to measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers
and defibrillators from wireless devices. 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 device EMI. The FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from
handheld wireless devices 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 devices
so that no interference occurs when a person uses a ' c ompatible' device and a
' c ompatible' hearing aid at the same time. This standard was approved by the IEEE
in 2000. The FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless devices 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.
For Your Safety
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