Kyocera VM1450 - Manual (Page 137)

137
SAFETY
believe that accessories that claim to shield the head from those emissions reduce risks. Some products that
claim to shield the user from RF absorption use special phone cases, while others involve nothing more than
a metallic accessory attached to the phone. Studies have shown that these products generally do not work as
advertised. Unlike "hand-free" kits, these so-called "shields" may interfere with proper operation of the phone.
The phone may be forced to boost its power to compensate, leading to an increase in RF absorption. In February
2002, the Federal trade Commission (FTC) charged two companies that sold devices that claimed to protect
wireless phone users from radiation with making false and unsubstantiated claims. According to FTC, these
defendants lacked a reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.
11. What about wireless phone interference with medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless phones 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 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
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.
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 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.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones 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.
Updated July 29, 2003
For more information, please visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/cellphones .