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Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the
FCC has certain responsibilities to consider whether its actions will
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore,
FCC approval and licensing of transmitters and facilities must be
evaluated for significant impact on the environment. Human
exposure to RF radiation emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters is
one of several factors that must be considered in such environmental
evaluations. In 1996, the FCC revised its guidelines for RF exposure
as a result of a multi-year proceeding and as required by the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Radio and television broadcast stations, satellite-earth stations,
experimental radio stations and certain wireless communication
facilities are required to undergo routine evaluation for RF
compliance when they submit an application to the FCC for
construction or modification of a transmitting facility or renewal of a
license. Failure to comply with the FCC's RF exposure guidelines
could lead to the preparation of a formal Environmental Assessment,
possible Environmental Impact Statement and eventual rejection of
an application. Technical guidelines for evaluating compliance with
the FCC RF safety requirements can be found in the FCC's OET
Bulletin 65.
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#65
Low-powered, intermittent, or inaccessible RF transmitters and
facilities are normally excluded from the requirement for routine
evaluation for RF exposure. These exclusions are based on standard
calculations and measurement data indicating that a transmitting
station or equipment operating under the conditions prescribed is
unlikely to cause exposures in excess of the guidelines under normal
conditions of use. Such exclusions are not exclusions from
compliance, but, rather, exclusions from routine evaluation. The
FCC's policies on RF exposure and categorical exclusion can be
found in Section 1.1307(b) of the FCC's Rules and Regulations [(47
CFR 1.1307(b)].
7. How can I obtain the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for my
wireless phone?
The FCC requires that wireless phones sold in the United States
demonstrate compliance with human exposure limits adopted by the
FCC in 1996. The relative amount of RF energy absorbed in the head
of a wireless telephone-user is given by the Specific Absorption Rate
(SAR), as explained above. The FCC requires wireless phones to
comply with a safety limit of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg) in
terms of SAR.
Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
4A: Safety 125