LG GS500GX, GW525GX Owner’s Manual
User Guide LG-GS500gX
User Guide
LG-GS500gX
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
P/NO : MMBB0392302 (1.0)
www.lg.com
Bluetooth QD ID B016193
Congratulations on your purchase of the advanced and
compact GS500gX 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.
GS500gX User Guide
Contents
For Your Safety ............................... 3
Your photos and videos ...........68
Guidelines for safe and ecient
use ....................................................11
Getting to know your phone .36
Open view .....................................38
Installing the SIM and battery 39
Charging your phone ................40
Memory card ................................41
Using your touch screen ..........43
Your home screen ......................44
Calls .................................................46
Contacts .........................................51
Messaging .....................................54
Camera ...........................................60
Video camera ...............................64
2 LG GS500gX | User Guide
Multimedia ...................................77
UTILITIES ........................................86
PC Suite ..........................................90
The web .........................................93
Settings ..........................................97
Accessories ................................104
Technical data ........................... 105
Trouble shooting ..................... 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 or
greater than 104°F, 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.
3
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 123
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.
4 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• 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 handsfree 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 or
greater than 122°F.
• 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.
5
For Your Safety
• 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.
• Only use the batteries, antennas,
and chargers provided by LG.
The warranty will not be applied
to products provided by other
suppliers.
6 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• 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.
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.
7
For Your Safety
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.
8 LG GS500gX | User Guide
Body-worn Operation
This device was tested for typical
body-worn operations with the
back of the phone kept 0.79
inches (2cm) between the user’s
body and the back of the phone.
To comply with FCC RF exposure
requirements, a minimum
separation distance of 0.79 inches
(2cm) must be maintained between
the user’s body and the back of
the phone. Third-party belt-clips,
holsters, and similar accessories
containing metallic components
should not be used.
Body-worn accessories that
cannot maintain 0.79 inches (2cm)
separation distance between the
user’s body and the back of the
phone, and have not been tested
for typical body-worn 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 8 inches (20cm) 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
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 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.
9
For Your Safety
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.
10 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• If you are listening to music whilst
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.
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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.
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
11
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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:
12 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• 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.
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.
• 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.
13
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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
14 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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 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.
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.
15
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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.
16 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• 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
short-circuit the phone. Always
cover the receptacle when not
in use.
• 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.
17
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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.
• 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.
18 LG GS500gX | User Guide
• 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 in 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
19
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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
20 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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 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 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 (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
21
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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 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
22 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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
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
23
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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.
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
24 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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 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.
25
Guidelines for safe and ecient use
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 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
26 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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
users. The test method uses
a tissue simulating 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.
27
Guidelines for safe and ecient 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
example, the government in
the United Kingdom distributed
leaflets containing such a
recommendation in December
28 LG GS500gX | User Guide
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
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
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