LG GS170 User manual

User Guide
GS170
P/N : MFL67019801 (1.0)
MW
www.lg.comPrinted in Mexico
ENGLISH

Bluetooth QD ID B016032

GS170 User Guide
Congratulations on your purchase of the advanced and compact GS170 phone
by LG, designed to operate with the latest digital mobile communication
technology.
Some of the contents in this manual may differ from your phone depending on the software
of the phone or your service provider.

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Contents
For Your Safety ......................................................... ...3
Getting to know your phone ..................................22
Installing the SIM Card & Charging the
Battery .........................................................................23
Menu Map ..................................................................24
Call History .................................................................25
Contacts......................................................................26
Messaging .................................................................. 27
Media...........................................................................29
Organizer ....................................................................30
Web2go .......................................................................31
Bluetooth ....................................................................32
Settings.......................................................................33
Software Update.......................................................36
Accessories................................................................ 37

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Safety Information
Please read and observe the following
information for safe and proper use of your
phone and to prevent damage.
Violation of the instructions may cause minor
or serious damage to the product.
Do not disassemble emble or open crush,
bend or deform, puncture or shred.
Do not modify or remanufacture, attempt
to insert foreign objects into the battery,
immerse or expose to water or other
liquids, expose to fire, explosion or other
hazard.
Only use the battery for the system for
which it is specified.
Only use the battery with a charging system
that has been qualified with the system
per this standard. Use of an unqualified
battery or charger may present a risk of fire,
explosion, leakage, or other hazard.
Do not short circuit a battery or allow
metallic conductive objects to contact
battery terminals.
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Replace the battery only with another
battery that has been qualified with the
system per this standard, IEEE-Std- 1725-
200x. Use of an unqualified battery may
present a risk of fire, explosion, leakage or
other hazard.
Promptly dispose of used batteries in
accordance with local regulations.
Battery usage by children should be
supervised.
Avoid dropping the phone or battery. If
the phone or battery is dropped, especially
on a hard surface, and the user suspects
damage, take it to a service center for
inspection.
Improper battery use may result in a fire,
explosion or other hazard.
For those host devices that utilize a USB
port as a charging source, the host device’s
user manual shall include a statement
that the phone shall only be connected
to products that bear the USB-IF logo or
have completed the USB-IF compliance
program.
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For Your Safety

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For Your Safety
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Charger and Adapter Safety
The charger and adapter are intended for
indoor use only.
Insert the battery pack charger vertically
into the wall power socket.
Unplug the power cord and charger during
lightning storms to avoid electric shock or
fire.
Use the correct adapter for your phone
when using the battery pack charger
abroad.
Battery Information and Care
Please read the manual of proper
installation and removal of the battery.
Please read the manual of specified
charger about charging method.
Do not damage the power cord by bending,
twisting, or heating. Do not use the plug
if it is loose as it may cause electric shock
or fire.
Do not place any heavy items on the power
cord. Do not allow the power cord to be
crimped as it may cause electric shock or
fire.
Unplug the power cord prior to cleaning
your phone, and clean the power plug pin
when it’s dirty. When using the power plug,
ensure that it’s firmly connected. If not,
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it may cause excessive heat or fire. If you
put your phone in a pocket or bag without
covering the receptacle of the phone
(power plug pin), metallic articles (such as
a coin, paperclip or pen) may short-circuit
the phone. Short-circuit of the terminal
may damage the battery and cause an
explosion. Always cover the receptacle
when not in use.
Recharge the battery after long periods of
non-use to maximize battery life. Battery
life will vary due to usage pattern and
environmental conditions.
Never store your phone in temperature less
than -4 °F or greater than 122 °F.
Charging temperature range is between
32 °F and 113 °F. Do not charge the battery
out of recommended temperature range.
Charging out of recommended range
might cause the generating heat or serious
damage of battery. And also, it might cause
the deterioration of battery’s characteristics
and cycle life.
Do not use or leave the battery under the
blazing sun or in heated car by sunshine.
The battery may generate heat, smoke
or flame. And also, it might cause the
deterioration of battery’s characteristics or
cycle life.
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The battery pack has protection circuit
to avoid the danger. Do not use near
places that can generate static electricity
more than 100V which could damage the
protection circuit. Damaged protection
circuits may generate smoke, rupture or
ignite.
When using the battery for the first time,
if it emits a bad smell, you see rust on it,
or anything else abnormal, do not use the
equipment and bring the battery to the
shop which it was bought.
Keep batteries away from babies and small
children. If children use the battery, their
parents or legal guardians are responsible
for supervising and teaching them about
the safe handling of batteries and how to
use batteries according to the manual with
care.
If liquid from the battery rubs against skin
or clothing, wash with fresh water. It may
cause the skin inflammation. Remove and
do not use the battery. Be careful that
children do not swallow any parts (such as
earphone, connection parts of the phone,
etc.). This could cause asphyxiation or
suffocation resulting in serious injury or
death.
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Do not handle the phone with wet hands
while it is being charged. It may cause an
electric shock or seriously damage your
phone.
Do not place or answer calls while charging
the phone as it may short-circuit the phone
and/or cause electric shock or fire.
Do not use harsh chemicals (such as
alcohol, benzene, thinners, etc.) or
detergents to clean your phone. This could
cause a fire.
General Notice
An emergency call can be made only within
a service area. For an emergency call,
make sure that you are within a service area
and that the phone is turned on.
Do not place items containing magnetic
components such as a credit card, phone
card, bank book, or subway ticket near your
phone. The magnetism of the phone may
damage the data stored in the magnetic
strip.
Talking on your phone for a long period of
time may reduce call quality due to heat
generated during use.
When the phone is not used for a long
period time, store it in a safe place with the
power cord unplugged.
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6GS170 | User Guide
For Your Safety
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Using the phone in proximity to receiving
equipment (i.e., TV or radio) may cause
interference to the phone.
Do not use the phone if the antenna is
damaged. If a damaged antenna contacts
skin, it may cause a slight burn. Please
contact an LG Authorized Service Center to
replace the damaged antenna.
The data saved in your phone might be
deleted due to careless use, repair of the
phone, or upgrade of the software. Please
backup your important phone numbers.
(Ringtones, text messages, voice messages,
pictures, and videos could also be deleted.)
The manufacturer is not liable for damage
due to the loss of data.
When you use the phone in public places,
set the ringtone to vibration so you don’t
disturb others.
Do not turn your phone on or off when
putting it to your ear.
Use accessories, such as earphones and
headsets, with caution. Ensure that cables
are tucked away safely and do not touch the
antenna unnecessarily.
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FCC Part 15 Class B Compliance
This device and its accessories comply with
part 15 of FCC rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device
and its accessories may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device and its
accessories must accept any interference
received, including interference that causes
undesired operation.
FCC RF Exposure Information
WARNING! Read this information before
operating the phone.
In August 1996, the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) of the United States, with
its action in Report and Order FCC 96-326,
adopted an updated safety standard for
human exposure to Radio Frequency (RF)
electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC
regulated transmitters. Those guidelines are
consistent with the safety standard previously
set by both U.S. and international standards
bodies. The design of this phone complies
with the FCC guidelines and these interna-
tional standards.

7
Bodily Contact During Operation
This device was tested for typical use with
the back of the phone kept 0.6 inches (1.5
cm) from the body. To comply with FCC RF
exposure requirements, a minimum separa-
tion distance of 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) must be
maintained between the user’s body and the
back of the phone, including the antenna,
whether extended or retracted. Third-party
belt-clips, holsters, and similar accessories
containing metallic components should not
be used. Avoid the use of accessories that
cannot maintain 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) distance
between the user’s body and the back of
the phone and have not been tested for
compliance with FCC RF exposure limits.
Vehicle-Mounted External Antenna
(Optional, if available.)
To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements,
keep 8 inches (20 cm) between the user
/ bystander and vehicle-mounted external
antenna. For more information about RF
exposure, visit the FCC website at www.fcc.gov.
Caution
Use only the supplied antenna. Use of
unauthorized antennas (or modifications to
the antenna) could impair call quality, damage
the phone, void your warranty and/or violate
FCC regulations.
Don’t use the phone with a damaged antenna.
A damaged antenna could cause a minor
skin burn. Contact your local dealer for a
replacement antenna.
Consumer Information About
Radio Frequency Emissions
Your wireless phone, which contains a
radio transmitter and receiver, emits radio
frequency energy during use. The following
consumer information addresses commonly
asked questions about the health effects of
wireless phones.
Are wireless phones safe?
Scientific research on the subject of wireless
phones and radio frequency (“RF”) energy
has been conducted worldwide for many
years, and continues. In the United States, the
Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and
the Federal Communications Commission
(“FCC”) set policies and procedures for
wireless phones. The FDA issued a website
publication on health issues related to cell
phone usage where it states, “The scientific
community at large … believes that the weight
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8GS170 | User Guide
For Your Safety
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of scientific evidence does not show an as-
sociation between exposure to radiofrequency
(RF) from cell phones and adverse health
outcomes. Still the scientific community does
recommend conducting additional research
to address gaps in knowledge. That research
is being conducted around the world and
FDA continues to monitor developments in
this field. You can access the joint FDA/FCC
website at http://www.fda.gov (under “c”
in the subject index, select Cell Phones >
Research). You can also contact the FDA
toll-free at [phone] or (888)
INFO-FDA. In June 2000, the FDA entered
into a cooperative research and development
agreement through which additional scientific
research is being conducted. The FCC issued
its own website publication stating that
“there is no scientific evidence that proves
that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer
or a variety of other problems, including
headaches, dizziness or memory loss.” This
publication is available at http://www.fcc.
gov/oet/rfsafety or through the FCC at (888)
225-5322 or (888) CALL-FCC.
What does “SAR” mean?
In 1996, the FCC, working with the FDA, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and
other agencies, established RF exposure
safety guidelines for wireless phones in the
United States. Before a wireless phone model
is available for sale to the public, it must be
tested by the manufacturer and certified
to the FCC that it does not exceed limits
established by the FCC. One of these limits
is expressed as a Specific Absorption Rate,
or “SAR.” SAR is a measure of the rate of
absorption of RF energy in the body. Tests for
SAR are conducted with the phone transmit-
ting at its highest power level in all tested
frequency bands. Since 1996, the FCC has
required that the SAR of handheld wireless
phones not exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram,
averaged over one gram of tissue.
Although the SAR is determined at the
highest power level, the actual SAR value of
a wireless phone while operating can be less
than the reported SAR value. This is because
the SAR value may vary from call to call,
depending on factors such as proximity to
a cell site, the proximity of the phone to the
body while in use, and the use of hands-free
devices. Before a phone model is available for
sale to the public, it must be tested and certi-
fied to the FCC that it does not exceed the
limit established by the government-adopted

9
requirement for safe exposure. The tests are
performed in positions and locations (e.g., at
the ear and worn on the body) as required by
the FCC for each model.
The highest SAR value for this model phone
when tested for use at the ear is 0.91 W/kg
and when worn on the body, as described
in this user guide, is 0.54 W/kg (body-worn
measurements differ among phone models,
depending upon available accessories and
FCC requirements).
While there may be differences between
SAR levels of various phones and at various
positions, they all meet the government
requirement for safe exposure.
The FCC has granted an Equipment
Authorization for this model phone with all
reported SAR levels evaluated as in compli-
ance with the FCC RF emission guidelines.
SAR information on this model phone is on
file with the FCC and can be found under
the Display Grant section of http://www.fcc.
gov/oet/ea/fccid/ after searching on GS170.
For more information about SARs, see the
FCC’s OET Bulletins 56 and 65 at http://www.
fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technol-
ogy/Documents/bulletins or visit the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association
website at http://www.ctia.org/consumer_info/
index.cfm/AID/10371. You may also wish to
contact the manufacturer of your phone.
Can I minimize my RF exposure?
If you are concerned about RF, there are
several simple steps you can take to minimize
your RF exposure. You can, of course, reduce
your talk time. You can place more distance
between your body and the source of the RF,
as the exposure level drops off dramatically
with distance. The FDA/FCC website states
that “hands-free kits can be used with wireless
phones for convenience and comfort. These
systems reduce the absorption of RF energy
in the head because the phone, which is the
source of the RF emissions, will not be placed
against the head. On the other hand, if the
phone is mounted against the waist or other
part of the body during use, then that part of
the body will absorb more RF energy. Wireless
phones marketed in the U.S. are required
to meet safety requirements regardless of
whether they are used against the head or
against the body. Either configuration should
result in compliance with the safety limit.”
Also, if you use your wireless phone while in
a car, you can use a phone with an antenna
on the outside of the vehicle. You should
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also read and follow your wireless phone
manufacturer’s instructions for the safe
operation of your phone.
Do wireless phones pose any special risks
to children?
The FDA/FCC website states that “the
scientific evidence does not show a danger
to users of wireless communication devices,
including children.” The FDA/FCC website
further states that “some groups sponsored
by other national governments have advised
that children be discouraged from using
wireless phones at all”. For example, the
Stewart Report from the United Kingdom
[“UK”] made such a recommendation in
December 2000. In this report a group of
independent experts noted that no evidence
exists that using a cell phone causes brain
tumors or other ill effects. [The UK’s] recom-
mendation to limit cell phone use by children
was strictly precautionary; it was not based
on scientific evidence that any health hazard
exists. A copy of the UK’s leaflet is available
at http://www.dh.gov.uk (search “mobile”), or
you can write to: NRPB, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon
OX11 ORQ, United Kingdom. Copies of the
UK’s annual reports on mobile phones and
RF are available online at www.iegmp.org.uk
and http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/ (search
“mobile”). Parents who wish to reduce their
children’s RF exposure may choose to restrict
their children’s wireless phone use.
Where can I get further information about
RF emissions?
For further information, see the following
additional resources (websites current as of
April 2005):
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FDA Consumer magazine
November-December 2000
Telephone: (888) INFO-FDA
http://www.fda.gov (Under “c” in the subject
index, select Cell Phones > Research.)
U.S. Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Telephone: [phone]
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
Independent Expert Group on Mobile
Phones
http://www.iegmp.org.uk

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Royal Society of Canada Expert Panels on
Potential Health Risks of Radio Frequency
Fields from Wireless Telecommunication
Devices
283 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X9
Canada
Telephone: [phone]
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Telephone: [phone]
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/
factsheets/fs193/en/
International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection
c/o Bundesamt fur Strahlenschutz
Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1
85764 Oberschleissheim
Germany
Telephone: [phone] 2156
http://www.icnirp.de
American National Standards Institute
1819 L Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone: [phone]
http://www.ansi.org
National Council on Radiation Protection
and Measurements
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 800
Bethesda, MD 20814-3095
Telephone: [phone]
http://www.ncrponline.org
Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Society, Committee on Man and Radiation
(COMAR) of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers
http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/embs/comar/
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TIA Safety Information
The following is the complete TIA Safety
Information for wireless handheld phones.
Exposure to Radio Frequency Signal
Your wireless handheld portable phone is
a low power radio transmitter and receiver.
When ON, it receives and sends out Radio
Frequency (RF) signals.
In August, 1996, the Federal Communications
Commissions (FCC) adopted RF exposure
guidelines with safety levels for handheld wire-
less phones. Those guidelines are consistent
with the safety standards previously set by
both U.S. and international standards bodies:
ANSI C95.1 (1992) *
NCRP Report 86 (1986)
ICNIRP (1996)
* American National Standards Institute;
National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurements; International Commission on
Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
Those standards were based on comprehen-
sive and periodic evaluations of the relevant
scientific literature. For example, over 120
scientists, engineers, and physicians from
universities, government health agencies,
and industry reviewed the available body
of research to develop the ANSI Standard
(C95.1).
The design of your phone complies with the
FCC guidelines (and those standards).
Antenna Care
Use only the supplied or an approved
replacement antenna. Unauthorized antennas,
modifications, or attachments could damage
the phone and may violate FCC regulations.
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.

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Pacemakers
The Health Industry Manufacturers As-
sociation 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).
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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.
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14 GS170 | User Guide
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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.
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 Adminis-
tration’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.

15
They also emit very low levels of RF when
in standby 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 manufactur-
ers 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
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16 GS170 | User Guide
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The National Institutes of Health participates
in some interagency working group activities,
as well.
The FDA shares regulatory responsibilities for
wireless phones with the Federal Communica-
tions Commission (FCC). All phones that are
sold in the United States must comply with
FCC safety guidelines that limit RF exposure.
The FCC relies on the FDA and other health
agencies for safety questions about wireless
phones.
The FCC also regulates the base stations that
the wireless phone networks rely upon. While
these base stations operate at higher power
than do the wireless phones themselves, the
RF exposures that people get from these
base stations are typically thousands of times
lower than those they can get from wireless
phones. Base stations are thus not the subject
of the safety questions discussed in this
document.
3. What kinds of phones are the subject of
this update?
The term “wireless phone” refers here to
handheld wireless phones with built-in
antennas, often called “cell”, “mobile”, or
“PCS” phones. These types of wireless
phones can expose the user to measurable
Radio Frequency (RF) energy because of the
short distance between the phone and the
user’s head.
These RF exposures are limited by FCC safety
guidelines that were developed with the advice
of the FDA and other federal health and
safety agencies. When the phone is located at
greater distances from the user, the exposure
to RF is drastically lower because a person’s
RF exposure decreases rapidly with increasing
distance from the source. The so-called
“cordless phones,” which have a base unit
connected to the telephone wiring in a house,
typically operate at far lower power levels, and
thus produce RF exposures far below the FCC
safety limits.
4. What are the results of the research
done already?
The research done thus far has produced
conflicting results, and many studies have
suffered from flaws in their research methods.
Animal experiments investigating the effects
of Radio Frequency (RF) energy exposures
characteristic of wireless phones have yielded
conflicting results that often cannot be
repeated in other laboratories. A few animal
studies, however, have suggested that low
levels of RF could accelerate the development

17
of cancer in laboratory animals. However,
many of the studies that showed increased
tumor development used animals that had
been genetically engineered or treated with
cancer-causing chemicals so as to be pre-
disposed to develop cancer in the absence
of RF exposure. Other studies exposed
the animals to RF for up to 22 hours per
day. These conditions are not similar to the
conditions under which people use wireless
phones, so we do not know with certainty what
the results of such studies mean for human
health. Three large epidemiology studies
have been published since December 2000.
Between them, the studies investigated any
possible association between the use of wire-
less phones and primary brain cancer, glioma,
meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, tumors of
the brain or salivary gland, leukemia, or other
cancers. None of the studies demonstrated
the existence of any harmful health effects
from wireless phone RF exposures. However,
none of the studies can answer questions
about long-term exposures, since the average
period of phone use in these studies was
around three years.
5. What research is needed to decide
whether RF exposure from wireless
phones poses a health risk?
A combination of laboratory studies and
epidemiological studies of people actually
using wireless phones would provide some
of the data that are needed. Lifetime animal
exposure studies could be completed in a few
years. However, very large numbers of animals
would be needed to provide reliable proof of
a cancer promoting effect if one exists. Epide-
miological studies can provide data that is
directly applicable to human populations, but
ten or more years follow-up may be needed
to provide answers about some health effects,
such as cancer. This is because the interval
between the time of exposure to a cancer-
causing agent and the time tumors develop
— if they do — may be many, many years. The
interpretation of epidemiological studies is
hampered by difficulties in measuring actual
RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireless
phones. Many factors affect this measure-
ment, such as the angle at which the phone is
held, or which model of phone is used.
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6. What is the FDA doing to find out more
about the possible health effects of wire-
less phone RF?
The FDA is working with the U.S. Na-
tional Toxicology Program and with groups of
investigators around the world to ensure that
high priority animal studies are conducted to
address important questions about the effects
of exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) energy.
The FDA has been a leading participant in
the World Health Organization International
Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) Project since its
inception in 1996. An influential result of this
work has been the development of a detailed
agenda of research needs that has driven
the establishment of new research programs
around the world. The project has also
helped develop a series of public information
documents on EMF issues.
The FDA and the Cellular Telecommunica-
tions & Internet Association (CTIA) have
a formal Cooperative Research And
Development Agreement (CRADA) to do
research on wireless phone safety. The FDA
provides the scientific oversight, obtaining
input from experts in government, industry,
and academic organizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts with
independent investigators. The initial research
will include both laboratory studies and stud-
ies of wireless phone users. The CRADA will
also include a broad assessment of additional
research needs in the context of the latest
research developments around the world.
7. How can I find out how much Radio
Frequency energy exposure I can get by
using my wireless phone?
All phones sold in the United States must
comply with Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) guidelines that limit Radio
Frequency (RF) energy exposures. The FCC
established these guidelines in consultation
with the FDA and the other federal health
and safety agencies. The FCC limit for RF
exposure from wireless phones is set at a
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1.6 watts
per kilogram (1.6 W/kg). The FCC limit is con-
sistent with the safety standards developed
by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering (IEEE) and the National Council
on Radiation Protection and Measurement.
The exposure limit takes into consideration
the body’s ability to remove heat from the
tissues that absorb energy from the wireless
phone and is set well below levels known
to have effects. Manufacturers of wireless