User's Manual

in RF absorption. In February 2002, the Federal trade Commission (FTC) charged two
companies that sold devices that claimed to protect wireless tablet users from radiation
with making false and unsubstantiated claims. According to FTC, these defendants lacked
a reasonable basis to substantiate their claim.
What about wireless tablet interference with medical equipment?
Radio frequency energy (RF) from wireless tablet 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 tablets.
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 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 tablet EMI. FDA has tested wireless tablet 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 tablet so that no interference occurs when a person uses a compatible tablet 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 tablet 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.
Additional information on the safety of RF exposures from various sources can be obtained
from the following organizations:
• FCC RF Safety Program : ttp://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) : http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) :
ttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
• National institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) :
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emfpg.html
• World health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int/peh-emf/
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection: http://www.icnirp.de
• National Radiation Protection Board (UK): http://www.nrpb.org.uk
Road Safety
Your wireless tablet gives you the powerful ability to communicate by voice, almost
anywhere, anytime. But an important responsibility accompanies the benefits of wireless
tablet, one that every user must uphold.
When driving a car, driving is your first responsibility. When using your wireless tablet
behind the wheel of a car, practice good common sense and remember the following tips: