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show an association between
exposure to radiofrequency
(RF) from cell phones and
adverse health outcomes. Still
the scientific community does
recommend conducting additional
research to address gaps in
knowledge. That research is being
conducted around the world
and FDA continues to monitor
developments in this field. You can
access the joint FDA/FCC website
at http://www.fda.gov (under
“c”in the subject index, select Cell
Phones > Research). You can also
contact the FDA toll-free at (888)
463-6332 or (888) INFO-FDA.
In June 2000, the FDA entered
into a cooperative research and
development agreement through
which additional scientific research
is being conducted. The FCC
issued its own website publication
stating that “there is no scientific
evidence that proves that wireless
phone usage can lead to cancer
or a variety of other problems,
including headaches, dizziness or
memory loss.” This publication is
available at http://www.fcc.gov/
cgb/ cellular.html or through the
FCC at (888) 225-5322 or (888)
CALL-FCC.
What does “SAR” mean?
In 1996, the FCC, working with
the FDA, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and other
agencies, established RF
exposure safety guidelines for
wireless phones in the United
States. Before a wireless phone
model is available for sale to the
public, it must be tested by the
manufacturer and certified to
the FCC that it does not exceed
limits established by the FCC.
One of these limits is expressed
as a Specific Absorption Rate, or
“SAR.” SAR is a measure of the rate
of absorption of RF energy in the
body. Tests for SAR are conducted
with the phone transmitting at its
highest power level in all tested
frequency bands. Since 1996, the
FCC has required that the SAR
of handheld wireless phones not
exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram,
averaged over one gram of tissue.
Although the SAR is determined at
the highest power level, the actual
SAR value of a wireless phone
while operating can be less than
the reported SAR value. This is
because the SAR value may vary
from call to call, depending on
factors such as proximity to a cell
site, the proximity of the phone