11. What about wireless phone interference with medical
equipment?
Radio Frequency (RF) energy from wireless phones can
interact with some electronic devices. For this reason, the FDA
helped develop a detailed test method to measure Electro
Magnetic 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 the 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.
The 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 "compatible" hearing aid at
the same time. This standard was approved by the IEEE in
2000.
The FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for
possible interactions with other medical devices. Should
harmful interference be found to occur, the 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/cellphones/)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety
Program
(http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety)
International Commission on Non-lonizing 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.hpa.org.uk/radiation/)
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