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SAFETY
that limit Radio Frequency (RF) energy 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
phones 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 (RF) energy 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
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.
9. What steps can I take to reduce my
exposure to Radio Frequency energy from
my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these products — and at this
point we do not know that there is — it is probably
very small. But if you are concerned about avoiding
even potential risks, you can take a few simple steps to
minimize your exposure to Radio Frequency (RF)
energy. Since time is a key factor in how much
exposure a person receives, reducing the amount of
time spent using a wireless phone will reduce RF
exposure. If you must conduct extended conversations
by wireless phone every day, you could place more
distance between your body and the source of the RF,
since the exposure level drops off dramatically with
distance. For example, you could use a headset and
carry the wireless phone away from your body or use
a wireless phone connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that
wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned
about the RF exposure from these products, you can
use measures like those described above to reduce
your RF exposure from wireless phone use.
10. What about children using wireless
phones?
The scientific evidence does not show a danger to
users of wireless phones, including children and
teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower exposure
to Radio Frequency (RF) energy, the measures
described above would apply to children and
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