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discouraged from using wireless phones 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 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?
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 no interference occurs when
a person uses a compatible phone and a accompanied 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.
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/cdrh/phones/index.html
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
http://www.icnirp.de
• World Health Organization (WHO) International EMF Project
http://www.who.int/emf
• National Radiological Protection Board (UK)
http://www.nrpb.org.uk/
July 18, 2001For updates: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/phones