89
Safety
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.