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Since 2000, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been investigating the effects of radio waves emitted by machines that use radio waves (covering all newly introduced examples of such machines) on implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc.
In FY 2010, as a result of an investigation concerning WiMAX format wireless communication terminals, it was confirmed that these devices have no effect on the operation of implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc.
1. Background
Since 2000, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been investigating the effects of radio waves emitted by machines that use radio waves (covering all newly introduced examples of such machines) on implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc., in an effort to maintain and improve safe and reliable radio wave utilization environments.
WiMAX format high-speed mobile communications services have been provided in Japan since FY 2009, and since the transmission area is broad and enables high-speed mobile data communication it is at present anticipated that in future there will be a diffusion of a considerable number of WiMAX format wireless communication terminals.
For this reason, in the previous Fiscal Year there was an investigation concerning the effects of radio waves emitted by WiMAX format wireless communication terminals on implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc.
2. Outline of results from investigation
This investigation covered WiMAX format wireless communication terminals, as well as examples of currently used implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc. (39 types of implantable cardiac pacemakers and 28 types of implantable defibrillators).
As a result of this investigation, it was confirmed that WiMAX format wireless communication terminals have no effect on the operation of implantable medical equipment including cardiac pacemakers, etc.
3. About reform of guidelines for prevention of radio waves from all kinds of machines that use radio waves
As a result of this investigation, the following sentence has been added as a postscript to the “guidelines for prevention of radio waves from all kinds of machines that use radio waves.”
- Support for prevention of effects of radio waves from WiMAX format wireless communication terminals on implantable medical equipment
Since WiMAX format wireless communication terminals had no effect on implantable medical equipment, there is no need for special awareness in daily life; however, people should avoid attaching WiMAX format wireless communication terminals to positions in the body where implantable medical equipment has been installed. |
Related documents
- Guidelines for Prevention of Effects on Implantable Medical Equipment Caused by Radio Waves from All Kinds of Machinery and Tools using Radio Waves (established August 2005; revised May 2010) (see attachment)
- Report on Research and Study of Effects of Radio Waves on Medical Equipment, etc. (March 2011) (see attachment)
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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html
International Policy Division,
Global ICT Strategy Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5374 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924 |
