31
nt
ds
of
ds
of
e
tion
A
ons
s
t,
ons.
d
ent
es
rs.
ad
e
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.
8. What has the FDA done to
measure the radio frequency
energy coming from wireless
phones?
The Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is
developing a technical standard
for measuring the radio frequency
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 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