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Mini-MT User Guide
Revision 1.02
GSM2228UG001 Page 43
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, and was not based on scientific evidence that any health hazard
exists. More recently, a report published in January 2005 by the British National
Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) summarized the results of various studies from
2000 to 2004 on the effects of wireless phone use, and concluded that there is no hard
evidence that the health of the public is being harmed by the use of wireless phones, but
that uncertainties remain regarding the risks associated with long-term wireless phone
use. Therefore, the report suggested that a "precautionary or prudent approach" to
reducing RF exposure from wireless phones should be followed until more is known
about these potential risks, including the potential increased sensitivity of children to RF.
The report (NRPB-W65) is available for download at the NRPB website (www.nrpb.org).
Again, the scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless phones,
including children and teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower exposure to RF, the
measures described above would apply to children and teenagers using wireless phones.
Specifically, reducing the time of wireless phone use and increasing the distance between
the user and the RF source will reduce RF exposure.
The FDA scientific staff has reviewed the methodology used by FCC to measure cell
phone RF, and has agreed that it is an acceptable approach, given our current
understanding of the risks presented by cellular phone RF emissions. RF emissions from
cellular phones have not been shown to present a risk of injury to the user when the
measured SAR is less than the safety limits set by FCC (SAR of 1.6 w/kg). The FDA
will continue to monitor studies and literature reports concerning acute effects of cell
phone RF, and concerning chronic effects of long-term exposure to cellular telephone RF
(that is, the risks from using a cell phone for many years). If new information leads FDA
to believe that a change to FCC’s measurement policy may be appropriate, the FDA will
contact the FCC, and both agencies will work together to develop a mutually acceptable
approach.