Safety Guidelines
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Safety Guidelines
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 radio frequency
energy exposure I can get by using my wireless
phone?
All phones sold in the United States must comply
with Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
guidelines that limit radio frequency 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 exposure level in the online listing.