LG C555 User Manual [fr]
User Guide
LG-C555
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
P/N : MFL67140719 (1.0)
www.lg.com
LG-C555 LG-C555 User Guide
Congratulations on your purchase
of the advanced and compact
LG-C555 phone by LG, designed
to operate with the latest digital
mobile communication technology.
Some of the content in this manual
may differ from your phone
depending on the software of the
phone or your service provider.
This handset is not recommended for
the visually impaired because of its
touch-screen keypad.
• Copyright ©2011 LG Electronics,
Inc. All rights reserved. LG and the
LG logo are registered trademarks
of LG Group and its related entities.
All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
• Google™, Google Maps™, Google
mail™, YouTube™, Google Talk
™ and Android Market™ are
trademarks of Google, Inc.
Contents
For Your Safety ..........................5
Safety Guidelines ..................... 12
Important notice ......................35
Before using the mobile phone,
please read fi rst! .....................44
Getting to know your phone ....46
Installing the SIM card and
battery ................................... 49
Charging your phone ...............50
Installing the memory card ......51
Formatting the memory card ...53
Your Home screen....................55
Touch screen tips ....................55
Lock your phone ..................... 55
Unlock screen .........................56
Home screen ......................... 57
Adding widgets to your Home
screen....................................57
Getting back to a recently used
applications ............................ 58
Notifi cation Bar ....................... 58
Viewing the Status bar ............59
Onscreen Keyboard ................. 60
Entering text ........................... 61
Abc mode...............................61
123 mode ..............................61
Entering accented letters ......... 61
2
Example ................................. 61
Applications ............................. 62
Google Account Set-up ............64
Creating your Google account .. 64
Signing in your Google
account .................................. 64
Call ...........................................66
Making a call .......................... 66
Calling your contacts ...............66
Answering and rejecting a call 66
Adjusting call volume ..............67
Making a second call ..............67
Viewing your Call logs .............67
Call settings ...........................67
Contacts ...................................68
Searching for a contact ...........68
Adding a new contact .............68
Favorite contacts ....................68
Messaging/E-mail ....................69
Messaging ............................. 69
Sending a message ................69
Threaded box ........................70
Using smilies .......................... 70
Changing your message
settings .................................. 70
Opening Email and the
Accounts Screen ..................... 70
Composing and Sending Email 71
Working with Account Folders .. 72
Adding and Editing Email
Accounts ................................ 73
Social Networking .................. 73
Adding your account to your
phone .................................... 74
Viewing and updating your
status ....................................74
Removing accounts on your
phone .................................... 74
Camera .................................... 75
Getting to know the viewfi nder . 75
Taking a quick photo ..............76
Once you’ve taken the photo ...76
Using the advanced settings .... 76
Viewing your saved photos ......78
Video camera ...........................79
Getting to know the viewfi nder . 79
Shooting a quick video ............80
After shooting a video .............80
Using the advanced settings .... 80
Watching your saved videos ....81
Your photos and videos ...........82
Adjusting the volume when
viewing a video ....................... 82
Setting a photo as wallpaper....82
Multimedia ...............................83
View model ............................83
Timeline view..........................83
My Images options menu ........83
Sending a photo .....................83
Sending a video ...................... 84
Using an image ....................... 84
Creating a slideshow ............... 84
Checking your photo ............... 84
Transferring fi les using USB
mass storage devices..............84
Music .....................................85
Playing a song ........................ 85
Searching for stations .............86
Listening to the radio ..............87
Google applications .................88
Maps ..................................... 88
Market ................................... 89
Google Mail ............................ 89
Talk ........................................90
Utilities .....................................91
Setting your alarm ..................91
Using your calculator ............... 91
Adding an event to your
calendar ................................. 91
Changing your calendar view ... 92
ThinkFree Offi ce ..................... 92
Voice Recorder .......................93
Recording a sound or voice .....93
3
Contents
Sending the voice recording ....93
The Web ................................... 94
Browser ................................. 94
Using options .......................... 94
Adding and accessing
bookmarks ............................. 95
Changing Web browser
settings .................................. 95
Settings ................................... 96
Wireless & networks ...............96
Call settings ...........................96
Sound .................................... 97
Display ................................... 98
Location & Security ................ 98
Applications ............................99
Accounts & sync ..................... 99
Privacy ................................... 99
SD card & phone storage ......100
Search ................................. 101
Language & keyboard ...........101
Voice input & output .............. 101
Accessibility ......................... 101
Date and time .......................101
About phone .........................101
Wi-Fi ...................................... 102
Turn on Wi-Fi ........................ 102
To connect to Wi-Fi ............... 102
4
USB tethering & portable Wi-Fi
hotspot settings .................... 102
Software update ....................104
Phone Software update ......... 104
Troubleshooting .....................106
For Your Safety
Important Information
This user guide contains
important information on the
use and operation of this phone.
Please read all the information
carefully for optimal performance
and to prevent any damage to
or misuse of the phone. Any
changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this user
guide could void your warranty
for this equipment.
Before You Start
Safety Instructions
WARNING
To reduce the possibility of
electric shock, do not expose
your phone to high humidity
areas, such as the bathroom,
swimming pool, etc.
Always store your phone
away from heat. Never store
your phone in settings that
may expose it to temperatures
less than 32°F(0°C) or greater
than 104°F(40°C) such as
outside during extreme weather
conditions or in your car on a hot
day. Exposure to excessive cold
or heat will result in malfunction,
damage and/or catastrophic
failure.
Be careful when using your
phone near other electronic
devices. RF emissions from
your mobile phone may affect
nearby in adequately shielded
electronic equipment. You should
consult with manufacturers of
any personal medical devices
such as pacemakers and hearing
aides to determine if they are
susceptible to interference from
your mobile phone.
5
For Your Safety
Turn off your phone in a medical
facility or at a gas station. Never
place your phone in a microwave
oven as this will cause the
battery to explode.
IMPORTANT! Please read the TIA
SAFETY INFORMATION on page
12 before using your phone.
Safety Information
Read these simple guidelines.
Breaking the rules may be
dangerous or illegal. Further
detailed information is given in
this user guide.
•
Never use an unapproved
battery since this could
damage the phone and/or
battery and could cause the
battery to explode.
•
Never place your phone in
a microwave oven as it will
cause the battery to explode.
6
•
Do not dispose of your battery
by fire or with hazardous or
flammable materials.
•
Make sure that no sharp-
edged items come into contact
with the battery. There is a risk
of this causing a fire.
•
Store the battery in a place out
of reach of children.
•
Be careful that children do
not swallow any parts such
as rubber plugs (earphone,
connection parts of the
phone, etc.). This could cause
asphyxiation or suffocation.
•
Unplug the power cord and
charger during lightning storms
to avoid electric shock or fire.
•
When riding in a car, do not
leave your phone or set up the
hands-free kit near to the air
bag. If wireless equipment is
improperly installed and the air
bag is activated, you may be
seriously injured.
•
Do not use a hand-held phone
while driving.
•
Do not use the phone in areas
where its use is prohibited.
(For example: aircraft).
•
Do not expose the battery
charger or adapter to direct
sunlight or use it in places
with high humidity, such as a
bathroom.
•
Never store your phone in
temperatures less than
-4°F(-20°C) or greater than
122°F(50°C)
•
Do not use harsh chemicals
(such as alcohol, benzene,
thinners, etc.) or detergents to
clean your phone. There is a
risk of this causing a fire.
•
Do not drop, strike, or shake
your phone severely. Such
actions may harm the internal
circuit boards of the phone.
•
Do not use your phone in high
explosive areas as the phone
may generate sparks.
•
Do not damage the power cord
by bending, twisting, pulling, or
heating.
•
Do not use the plug if it is
loose as it may cause a fire or
electric shock.
•
Do not place any heavy items
on the power cord. Do not
allow the power cord to be
crimped as it may cause fire or
electric shock.
•
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 disassemble the 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.
7
For Your Safety
•
Only use the batteries,
antennas, and chargers
provided by LG.
The warranty will not be
applied to products provided
by other suppliers.
•
Only authorized personnel
should service the phone
and its accessories. Faulty
installation or service may
result in accidents and
consequently invalidate the
warranty.
•
Do not hold or let the antenna
come in contact with your body
during a call.
•
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.
•
Use accessories, such as
earphones and headsets, with
caution. Ensure that cables
are tucked away safely and
do not touch the antenna
unnecessarily.
8
Memory card information
and care
•
Always insert/ remove the
memory card while the
handset power is off. If you
remove it while the power is
on, it may be damaged.
•
If a damage cannot be fixed,
format the memory card.
•
The memory card cannot be
used for recording copyright
protected data.
•
Do not write forcefully on the
memo area.
•
Carry and store the memory
card in its case.
•
Do not allow the memory card
to get wet.
•
Do not leave the memory card
in extremely hot location.
•
Do not disassemble or modify
the memory card.
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 international
standards.
CAUTION
Use only the supplied and
approved antenna. Use of
unauthorized antennas or
modifications could impair call
quality, damage the phone, void
your warranty and/or result in
violation of FCC regulations.
Do not use the phone with a
damaged antenna. If a damaged
antenna comes into contact with
skin, a minor burn may result.
Contact your local dealer for a
replacement antenna.
Body-worn Operation
This device was tested for typical
body-worn operations with the
back of the phone kept 1 cm
(0.39 inches) between the user
’s body and the back of the
phone. To comply with FCC
RF exposure requirements, a
minimum separation distance
of 1 cm (0.39 inches) must
be maintained between the
user's body and the back of the
phone. Third-party belt-clips,
9
For Your Safety
holsters, and similar accessories
containing metallic components
should not be used.
Body-worn accessories that
cannot maintain 1 cm (0.39
inches) separation distance
between the user's body and
the back of the phone, and have
not been tested for typical bodyworn operations may not comply
with FCC RF exposure limits and
should be avoided.
Vehicle Mounted External
Antenna (optional, if
available)
A minimum separation distance
of 20cm (8 inches) must
be maintained between the
user/bystander and the vehicle
mounted external antenna
to satisfy FCC RF exposure
requirements. For more
information about RF exposure,
visit the FCC website at www.
fcc.gov
10
FCC Part 15 Class B
Compliance
This device and its accessories
comply with part 15 of FCC rules
and ICES-003 Class B digital
apparatus requirements for
Industry Canada.
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 may
cause undesired operation.
Cautions for Battery
•
Do not disassemble.
•
Do not short-circuit.
•
Do not expose to high
temperature: 60°C (140°F).
•
Do not incinerate.
Battery Disposal
•
Please dispose of your battery
properly or bring to your local
wireless carrier for recycling.
•
Do not dispose in fire or with
hazardous or flammable
materials.
Adapter (Charger)
Cautions
•
Using the wrong battery
charger could damage your
phone and void your warranty.
•
The adapter or battery charger
is intended for indoor use only.
Do not expose the adapter or
battery charger to direct sunlight
or use it in places with high
humidity, such as the bathroom.
Avoid damage to your
hearing
•
Damage to your hearing can
occur if you are exposed to
loud sound for long periods of
time. We therefore recommend
that you do not turn on or
off the handset close to your
ear. We also recommend that
music and call volumes are set
to a reasonable level.
•
If you are listening to music
while out and about, please
ensure that the volume
is at a reasonable level
so that you are aware of
your surroundings. This is
particularly imperative when
attempting to cross the street.
11
Safety Guidelines
TIA Safety Information
Provided herein is the complete
TIA Safety Information for
Wireless Handheld phones.
Inclusion of the text covering
Pacemakers, Hearing Aids,
and Other Medical Devices is
required in the owner’s manual
for CTIA Certification. Use of
the remaining TIA language is
encouraged when appropriate.
Exposure to Radio
Frequency Signal
Your wireless handheld portable
telephone is a lowpower radio
transmitter and receiver. When it
is ON, it receives and also sends
out radio frequency (RF) signals.
In August, 1996, the Federal
Communications Commissions
(FCC) adopted RF exposure
guidelines with safety levels for
handheld wireless phones.
12
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)
Those standards were based
on comprehensive 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).
* American National Standards
Institute; National Council
on Radiation Protection and
Measurements; International
Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection
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:
•
Do not 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.
Driving
Check the laws and regulations
on the use of wireless phones
in the areas where you drive.
Always obey them. Also, if using
your phone while driving, please:
•
Give full attention to driving -
driving safely is your first
responsibility;
•
Use hands-free operation, if
available;
•
Pull off the road and park
before making or answering
a call if driving conditions so
require.
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.
13
Safety Guidelines
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 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.
14
•
If you have any reason to
suspect that interference is
taking place, turn your phone
OFF immediately.
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.
Other Medical Devices
If you use any other personal
medical device, consult the
manufacturer of your device to
determine if they are 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. Turn
your phone OFF before boarding
an aircraft.
Blasting Areas
To avoid interfering with blasting
operations, turn your phone OFF
when in a ‘blasting areas or
in areas posted: ‘Turn off twoway 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
15
Safety Guidelines
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.
Safety Information
Please read and observe the
following information for safe and
proper use of your phone and to
prevent damage. Also, keep the
user guide in an accessible place
at all the times after reading it.
16
Charger and Adapter Safety
•
The charger and adapter are
intended for indoor use only.
Battery Information and
Care
•
Please dispose of your battery
properly or take it to your local
wireless carrier for recycling.
•
The battery does not need
to be fully discharged before
recharging.
•
Use only LG-approved chargers
specific to your phone model
since they are designed to
maximize battery life.
•
Do not disassemble or impact
the battery as it may cause
electric shock, short-circuit,
and fire. Store the battery in a
place out of reach of children.
•
Keep the battery’s metal
contacts clean.
•
Replace the battery when it
no longer provides acceptable
performance. The battery can
be recharged several hundred
times before replacement.
•
Recharge the battery after
long periods of non-use to
maximize battery life.
•
Battery life will vary due
to usage patterns and
environmental conditions.
•
Use of extended backlighting,
MEdia Net Browsing, and data
connectivity kits affect battery
life and talk/standby times.
• The self-protection function of
the battery cuts the power of the
phone when its operation is in
an abnormal state. In this case,
remove the battery from the phone,
reinstall it, and turn the phone on.
•
Actual battery life will depend
on network configuration,
product settings, usage
patterns, battery and
environmental conditions.
Explosion, Shock, and
Fire Hazards
•
Do not put your phone in a
place subject to excessive
dust and keep the minimum
required distance between the
power cord and heat sources.
•
Unplug the power cord prior to
cleaning your phone, and clean
the power plug pin when it is
dirty.
•
When using the power
plug, ensure that it is firmly
connected.
If it is not, 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 shortcircuit the phone. Always cover
the receptacle when not in
use.
17
Safety Guidelines
•
Do not short-circuit the battery.
Metallic articles such as a coin,
paperclip or pen in your pocket
or bag may short-circuit the +
and – terminals of the battery
(metal strips on the battery)
upon moving. Short-circuit
of the terminal may damage
the battery and cause an
explosion.
General Notice
•
Using a damaged battery or
placing a battery in your mouth
may cause serious injury.
•
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.
18
•
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.
•
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 Centre to
replace the damaged antenna.
•
Do not immerse your phone
in water. If this happens, turn
it off immediately and remove
the battery. If the phone does
not work, take it to an LG
Authorized Service Centre.
•
Do not paint your phone.
•
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.
(Ring tones, 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 ring tone
to vibration so as not to disturb
others.
•
Do not turn your phone on or
off when putting it on your ear.
FDA Consumer Update
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration Centre 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 energy (RF)
in the microwave range while
being used. They also emit
very low levels of RF when in
the 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
19
Safety Guidelines
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
energy (RF) 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
20
exists.
Although the existing scientific
data do 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 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
(Administración de la
seguridad y salud laborales)
•
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
•
National Telecommunications
and Information
Administration
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
Communications 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 builtin antennas, often called ‘cell
21
Safety Guidelines
’, ‘mobile’, or ‘PCS’ phones.
These types of wireless
phones can expose the user
to measurable radiofrequency
energy (RF) 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.
22
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 radiofrequency
energy (RF) 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 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 predisposed 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 don
’t 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 wireless
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
longterm 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. Epidemiological
studies can provide data
that is directly applicable to
human populations, but 10 or
more years follow-up may be
needed to provide answers
about some health effects,
such as cancer.
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Safety Guidelines
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 measurement, such
as the angle at which the
phone is held, or which model
of phone is used.
6. What is the FDA doing to
find out more about the
possible health effects of
wireless phone RF?
The FDA is working with
the U.S. National 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
24
to radiofrequency energy
(RF). The FDA has been a
leading participant in the
World Health Organization
International Electromagnetic
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 Telecommunications
& 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.
CTIAfunded research is
conducted through contracts
with independent investigators.
The initial research will include
both laboratory studies and
studies 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 radiofrequency
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 radiofrequency
energy (RF) 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 telephones is
set at a Specific Absorption
Rate (SAR) of 1.6 watts per
kilogram (1.6 W/kg). The FCC
limit is consistent 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 phones must report
the RF exposure level for each
model of phone to the FCC.
The FCC website
(http://www.fcc.gov/oet/
rfsafety) gives directions for
locating the FCC identification
number on your phone so
you can find your phone’s RF
25
Safety Guidelines
exposure level in the online
listing.
8. What has the FDA done to
measure the radiofrequency
energy coming from
wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
is developing a technical
standard for measuring the
radiofrequency energy (RF)
exposure from wireless phones
and other wireless handsets
with the participation and
leadership of FDA scientists
and engineers. The standard,
‘Recommended Practice for
Determining the Spatial- Peak
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
in the Human Body Due to
Wireless Communications
Devices: Experimental
Techniques,’ sets forth the first
consistent test methodology
for measuring the rate at
which RF is deposited in
the heads of wireless phone
26
users. The test method uses
a tissuesimulating model of
the human head. Standardized
SAR test methodology is
expected to greatly improve the
consistency of measurements
made at different laboratories
on the same phone. SAR
is the measurement of the
amount of energy absorbed
in tissue, either by the whole
body or a small part of the
body. It is measured in watts/
kg (or milliwatts/g) of matter.
This measurement is used to
determine whether a wireless
phone complies with safety
guidelines.
9. What steps can I take to
reduce my exposure to
radiofrequency energy from
my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these
products - and at this point we
do not know that there is - it is
probably very small. But if you
are concerned about avoiding
even potential risks, you can
take a few simple steps to
minimize your exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF).
Since time is a key factor
in how much exposure a
person receives, reducing the
amount of time spent using a
wireless phone will reduce RF
exposure. If you must conduct
extended conversations by
wireless phone every day, you
could place more distance
between your body and the
source of the RF, since the
exposure level drops off
dramatically with distance.
For example, you could use
a headset and carry the
wireless phone away from
your body or use a wireless
phone connected to a remote
antenna. Again, the scientific
data do not demonstrate that
wireless phones are harmful.
But if you are concerned
about the RF exposure from
these products, you can use
measures like those described
above to reduce your RF
exposure from wireless phone
use.
10. What about children using
wireless phones?
The scientific evidence does
not show a danger to users
of wireless phones, including
children and teenagers.
If you want to take steps
to lower exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF),
the measures described
above would apply to
children and teenagers using
wireless phones. Reducing
the time of wireless phone
use and increasing the
distance between the user
and the RF source will
reduce RF exposure. Some
groups sponsored by other
national governments have
advised that children be
discouraged from using
wireless phones at all. For
27
Safety Guidelines
example, the government
in the United Kingdom
distributed leaflets containing
such a recommendation
in December 2000. They
noted that no evidence
exists that using a wireless
phone causes brain
tumors or other ill effects.
Their recommendation to
limit wireless phone use
by children was strictly
precautionary; it was not
based on scientific evidence
that any health hazard exists.
11. What about wireless
phone interference with
medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy
(RF) from wireless phones
can interact with some
electronic devices. For
this reason, the FDA
helped develop a detailed
test method to measure
electromagnetic interference
(EMI) of implanted
28
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
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