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tional research needs in the context of the latest
research developments around the world.
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 (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 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 identifica-
tion 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 fre-
quency 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 participa-
tion 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 tis-
sue, 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
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