107
effort by FDA, medical device manufacturers, and many other groups, was
completed on late 2000. This standard will allow manufacturers to ensure that
cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI.
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.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possible interactions
with other medical devices. Should harmful interference be found to occur,
FDA will conduct testing to assess the interference and work to resolve the
problem.
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/cdrh/phones/index.html)
•
Federal Communications Commission FCC) RF Safety Program
(http://www.fda.gov/oet/rfsafety)
•
International Commission on Non-Ionizing 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.nrpb.org.uk)
