LG LGP690B Owner’s Manual

P/N : MFL67322419 (1.0)

www.lg.com/ca

ENGLISH

FRANÇAIS

USER GUIDE

LG-P690b

English

LG-P690b User Guide

This guide helps you get started using your phone.

If you need more information, please visit www.lg.com/ca.

• Some of the contents of this manual may not apply to your phone. This depends on your phone’s software and your service provider.

•This handset is not recommended for the visually impaired because of its touch screen keyboard.

•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™, Maps™, Gmail™,

YouTube™, Talk™ and Android

Market™ are trademarks of

Google, Inc.

Contents
For Your Safety .......................	5
Safety Guidelines..................	12
Important notice ...................	36
Getting to know your phone . 46
Installing the SIM card and
battery ................................	48
Charging your phone............	49
Installing the memory card ...	50
Formatting the memory card. 51
Your Home screen ................	52
Touch screen tips.................	52
Lock your phone ..................	52
Unlock screen......................	53
Silent mode .........................	53
Home .................................	53
Adding widgets to your Home
screen.................................	54
Returning to recently-used
applications .........................	55
Notiﬁ cation drawer...............	55
Viewing the status bar..........	56
Onscreen keyboard ..............	58
Entering accented letters......	58

Google account setup ...........	59
Creating your Google account 59
Signing in to your Google
account...............................	59
Calls......................................	61
Making a call .......................	61
Calling your contacts............	61
Answering and rejecting a
call......................................	61
Adjusting call volume ...........	61
Making a second call ...........	61
Viewing your call logs...........	62
Call settings.........................	62
Contacts................................	63
Searching for a contact ........	63
Adding a new contact...........	63
Favourite contacts................	63
Messaging/email ..................	65
Messaging...........................	65
Sending a message..............	65
Changing your message
settings ...............................	66
Setting up your email ...........	66

Microsoft Exchange email
account...............................	66
Other (POP3, IMAP) email
account...............................	67
Composing and sending
email...................................	68
Working with account folders 69
Adding and editing email
accounts .............................	69
Camera .................................	70
Getting to know the
viewﬁ nder............................	70
Taking a quick photo ...........	71
Once you’ve taken the photo	71
Using the advanced settings . 72
Viewing your saved photos ...	73
Video camera........................	74
Getting to know the
viewﬁ nder............................	74
Shooting a quick video .........	75
After shooting a video...........	75
Using the advanced settings . 76
Watching your saved videos..	76

Adjusting the volume when
viewing a video ....................	76
Multimedia............................	77
View model..........................	77
Timeline view.......................	77
Using SmartShare ................	77
Music..................................	78
Playing a song .....................	78
Transferring ﬁ les using USB
mass storage devices...........	79
How to save music/video ﬁ les
on your phone......................	80
Moving contacts from your old
phone to your new phone .....	81
Sending data from your phone
using Bluetooth....................	81
Utilities..................................	83
Setting your alarm................	83
Using your calculator............	83
Adding an event to your
calendar..............................	83
Changing your calendar view 84
Voice recorder .....................	84

Contents

Recording a sound or voice... 84 Sending the voice recording.. 85

The Web................................	86
Browser...............................	86
Using the web toolbar...........	86
Using options.......................	86
Settings ................................	88
Wireless & networks.............	88
Call settings.........................	89
Sound .................................	91
Display ................................	92
Location & security ..............	92
Applications.........................	94
Accounts & sync ..................	94
Privacy ................................	95
Storage ...............................	95
Language & keyboard ..........	95
Voice input & output.............	96
Accessibility.........................	97
Date & time .........................	97
About Phone........................	97
Wi-Fi...................................	97
Turning on Wi-Fi...................	98
Connecting to Wi-Fi..............	98

Sharing your phone’s data
connection...........................	98
USB tethering & portable Wi-Fi
hotspot settings ...................	99
To share your phone’s data
connection via USB ............	100
USB tethering and data
sharing..............................	100
To share your phone’s data
connection as a portable Wi-Fi
hotspot..............................	101
To rename or secure your
portable hotspot.................	101
Software update .................	103
Phone software update.......	103
DivX Mobile .......................	103
Accessories ........................	105
Technical data.....................	106
Troubleshooting ..................	107

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.

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.

For Your Safety

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.

•Do not dispose of your battery by fire or with hazardous or flammable materials.

•Make sure that no sharpedged 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.

•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.

For Your Safety

•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.

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, 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

For Your Safety

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

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: 140°F (60°C).

•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 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.

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 low power 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

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

Safety Guidelines

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.

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.

Safety Guidelines

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.

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.

Safety Guidelines

•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.

•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.

•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 near your ear.

•Your phone is an electronic device that generates heat during normal operation.

Extremely prolonged, direct skin contact in the absence of adequate ventilation may result in discomfort or minor

burns. Therefore, use care when handling your phone during or immediately after operation.

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

Safety Guidelines

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 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 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.

Safety Guidelines

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’, ‘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.

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.

Safety Guidelines

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.

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 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. CTIA funded 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

Safety Guidelines

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 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 SpatialPeak 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 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.

Safety Guidelines

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 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 instrumentation (AAMI). The final draft, a joint effort by the FDA,

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