LG6070
111
LG6070
110
8. What has the FDAdone 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 FDAscientists 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.
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 FDAand 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.
SAFETYGUIDELINES
*LG6070_eng(1.0) 4.6 4/8/04 9:47 PM Page 110