37
example, the govern-
ment in the United
Kingdom distributed
leafl 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 effects. Their
recommendation to
limit wireless phone use
by children was strictly
precautionary; it was
not based on scientifi c
evidence that any health
hazard exists.
11. What about wireless phone interference with medical equip-ment?
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 defi brillators from
wireless telephones. This
test method is now part
of a standard sponsored
by the Association for
the Advancement of
Medical Instrumentation
(AAMI). The fi nal draft,
a joint effort by the
FDA, medical device
manufacturers, and
many other groups, was
completed in late 2000.
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