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distributed leaflets 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
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:
FDA web page on wireless phones
(http://www.fda.gov/cellphones/)
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) RF Safety
Program
(http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety)