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Samsung SPH-A110ZWADYN User Manual

Page 57

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Do wireless phone accessories that claim

to shield the head from RF radiation work?

Since there are no known risks from exposure to

RF emissions from wireless phones, there is no

reason to 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 the FTC, these defendants lacked a

reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.

What about wireless phone

interference with medical equipment?

Radio frequency 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

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Some groups sponsored by other national

governments have advised that children be

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.

Do hands-free kits for wireless phones

reduce risks from exposure to RF

emissions?

Since there are no known risks from exposure

to RF emissions from wireless phones, there is no

reason to believe that hands-free kits reduce risks.

Hands-free kits can be used with wireless phones

for convenience and comfort. These systems reduce

the absorption of RF energy in the head because

the phone, which is the source of the RF emissions,

will not be placed against the head. On the other

hand, if the phone is mounted against the waist

or other part of the body during use, then that

part of the body will absorb more RF energy.

Wireless phones marketed in the U.S. are required

to meet safety requirements regardless of whether

they are used against the head or against the body.

Either configuration should result in compliance

with the safety limit.

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