Samsung SGH-T499MAWTMB User Manual

Page 161

Health and Safety Information 157

Cell Phone Accessories that Claim to Shield the
Head from RF Radiation

Because there are no known risks from exposure to
RF emissions from cell phones, there is no reason to
believe that accessories which 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 “hands-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.

Children and Cell Phones

The scientific evidence does not show a danger to
any users of cell phones from RF exposure, including
children and teenagers. The steps adults can take to
reduce RF exposure apply to children and teenagers
as well.

•

Reduce the amount of time spent on the cell phone;

•

Use speaker mode or a headset to place more distance

between the head and the cell phone.

Some groups sponsored by other national
governments have advised that children be
discouraged from using cell phones at all. For
example, The Stewart Report from the United
Kingdom made such a recommendation in December
2000. In this report, a group of independent experts
noted that no evidence exists that using a cell phone

causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit cell phone use by children
was strictly precautionary; it was not based on
scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.

Additional information on the safety of RF exposures
from various sources can be obtained from the
following organizations (updated 10/1/2010):

•

FCC RF Safety Program:

http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/

•

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

http://www.epa.gov/radtown/wireless-tech.html

•

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/

(Note: This web address is case sensitive.)

•