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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 of
energy absorbed in tissue, either by the