Phone Operation
NORMAL POSITION: Hold the phone as you would any other telephone with the antenna pointed up and over
your shoulder.
Tips on Efficient Operation
For your phone to operate most efficiently: Don’t touch the antenna unnecessarily when the phone is in use.
Contact with the antenna affects call quality and may cause the phone to operate at a higher power level than
otherwise needed.
Electronic Devices
Most modern electronic equipment is shielded from RF signals. However, certain electronic equipment may not
be shielded against the RF signals from your wireless phone.
Pacemakers
The Health Industry Manufacturers Association recommends that a minimum separation of six (6) inches
be maintained between a handheld wireless phone and a pacemaker to avoid potential interference with the
pacemaker. These recommendations are consistent with the independent research by and recommendations of
Wireless Technology Research. Persons with pacemakers:
• Should ALWAYS keep the phone more than six (6) inches from their pacemaker when the phone is turned ON;
• Should not carry the phone in a breast pocket;
• Should use the ear opposite the pacemaker to minimize the potential for interference;
• Should turn the phone OFF immediately if there is any reason to suspect that interference is taking place.
Hearing Aids
Some digital wireless phones may interfere with some hearing aids. In the event of such interference, you may
want to consult your service provider (or call the customer service line to discuss alternatives).
Other Medical Devices
If you use any other personal medical device, consult the manufacturer of your device to determine if it is
adequately shielded from external RF energy. Your physician may be able to assist you in obtaining this information.
Health Care Facilities
Turn your phone OFF in health care facilities when any regulations posted in these areas instruct you to do so.
Hospitals or health care facilities may use equipment that could be sensitive to external RF energy.
Vehicles
RF signals may affect improperly installed or inadequately shielded electronic systems in motor vehicles. Check
with the manufacturer or its representative regarding your vehicle. You should also consult the manufacturer of
any equipment that has been added to your vehicle.
Posted Facilities
Turn your phone OFF in any facility where posted notices so require.
Aircraft
FCC regulations prohibit using your phone while in the air. Switch OFF your phone before boarding an aircraft.
Blasting Areas
To avoid interfering with blasting operations, turn your phone OFF when in a “blasting area” or in areas posted:
“Turn off two-way radio”. Obey all signs and instructions.
Potentially Explosive Atmosphere
Turn your phone OFF when in any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere and obey all signs and
instructions. Sparks in such areas could cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death. Areas
with a potentially explosive atmosphere are often, but not always marked clearly. 10 Potential areas may include:
fueling areas (such as gasoline stations); below deck on boats; fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities;
vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (such as propane or butane); areas where the air contains chemicals or
particles (such as grain, dust, or metal powders); and any other area where you would normally be advised to
turn off your vehicle engine.
For Vehicles Equipped with an Air Bag
An air bag inflates with great force. DO NOT place objects, including either installed or portable wireless
equipment, in the area over the air bag or in the air bag deployment area. If in-vehicle wireless equipment is
improperly installed and the air bag inflates, serious injury could result.
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health Consumer
Update on Mobile Phones:
1. Do wireless phones pose a health hazard?
The available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using wireless
phones. There is no proof, however, that wireless phones are absolutely safe. Wireless phones emit low levels
of Radio Frequency (RF) energy in the microwave range while being used. They also emit very low levels of RF
when in idle mode. Whereas high levels of RF can produce health effects (by heating tissue), exposure to low
level RF that does not produce heating effects causes no known adverse health effects. Many studies of low level
RF exposures have not found any biological effects. Some studies have suggested that some biological effects
may occur, but such findings have not been confirmed by additional research. In some cases, other researchers
have had difficulty in reproducing those studies, or in determining the reasons for inconsistent results.
2. What is the FDA’s role concerning the safety of wireless phones?
Under the law, the FDA does not review the safety of radiation-emitting consumer products such as wireless
phones before they can be sold, as it does with new drugs or medical devices. However, the agency has authority
to take action if wireless phones are shown to emit Radio Frequency (RF) energy at a level that is hazardous
to the user. In such a case, the FDA could require the manufacturers of wireless phones to notify users of the
health hazard and to repair, replace, or recall the phones so that the hazard no longer exists. Although the existing
scientific data does not justify FDA regulatory actions, the FDA has urged the wireless phone industry to take a
number of steps, including the following:
• Support needed research into possible biological effects of RF of the type emitted by wireless phones;
• Design wireless phones in a way that minimizes any RF exposure to the user that is not necessary for device
function; and
• Cooperate in providing users of wireless phones with the best possible information on possible effects of
wireless phone use on human health.
The FDA belongs to an interagency working group of the federal agencies that have responsibility for different
aspects of RF safety to ensure coordinated efforts at the federal level. The following agencies belong to this
working group:
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration The National Institutes of Health participates
in some interagency working group activities, as well.
