show an association between exposure to radiofrequency (RF) from cell phones and adverse health outcomes. Still the scientific community does recommend conducting additional research to address gaps in knowledge. That research is being conducted around the world and FDA continues to monitor developments in this field. You can access the joint FDA/FCC website at http://www.fda.gov (under “c”in the subject index, select Cell Phones > Research). You can also contact the FDA
What does “SAR” mean?
In 1996, the FCC, working with the FDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies, established RF exposure safety guidelines for wireless phones in the United States. Before a wireless phone model is available for sale to the public, it must be tested by the manufacturer and certified to the FCC that it does not exceed limits established by the FCC. One of these limits is expressed as a Specific Absorption Rate, or “SAR.” SAR is a measure of the rate of absorption of RF energy in the body. Tests for SAR are conducted with the phone transmitting at its highest power level in all tested frequency bands. Since 1996, the FCC has required that the SAR
of handheld wireless phones not exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram, averaged over one gram of tissue.
Although the SAR is determined at the highest power level, the actual SAR value of a wireless phone while operating can be less than the reported SAR value. This is because the SAR value may vary from call to call, depending on factors such as proximity to a cell site, the proximity of the phone
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