Helio Ocean user manual What about children using wireless handsets?

SAFETY AND WARRANTY FDA CONSUMER UPDATE

8.What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy coming from wireless handsets ?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless handsets and other wireless handsets with the participation and leadership of FDA scientists and engineers.

The standard, “Recommended Practice for Determining the Spatial-Peak Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the Human Body Due to Wireless Communications Devices: Experimental Techniques,” sets forth the first consistent test methodology for measuring the rate at which RF is deposited in the heads of wireless handset users. The test method uses a tissue-simulating model of the human head. Standardized SAR test methodology is expected to greatly improve the consistency of measurements made at different laboratories on the same handset. SAR is the measurement of the amount of energy absorbed in tissue, either by the whole body or a small part of the body. It is measured in watts/kg (or milliwatts/g) of matter. This measurement is used to determine whether a wireless handset complies with safety guidelines.

9. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency energy from my wireless handset?

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 handset will reduce RF exposure.

•If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless handset every day, you could place more distance between your body and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a headset and carry the wireless handset

away from your body or use a wireless handset connected to a remote antenna.

Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless handsets 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 handset use.

FDA CONSUMER UPDATE SAFETY AND WARRANTY

10. What about children using wireless handsets?

The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless hand- sets, 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 handsets. Reducing the time of wireless handset use and increasing the distance between the user and the RF source will reduce RF exposure. Some groups spon- sored by other national governments have advised that children be dis- couraged from using wireless handsets at all. For example, the govern- ment in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such a rec- ommendation in December 2000. They noted that no evidence exists that using a wireless handset causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their recommendation to limit wireless handset use by children was strictly precautionary; it was not based on scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.

11.What about wireless handset interference with medical equipment?

Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless handsets 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 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 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 handset EMI. FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from handheld wireless handsets 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 handsets so that no interference occurs when a person uses a “compatible” handset 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 handsets 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.

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