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FDA Consumer Update
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 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 milliwattts/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 phones?
If there is a risk from these products--and at this point we do not know 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 energy (RF).
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.
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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 does not demonstrate that wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF exposure
from these products, you can use measure 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 energy (RF), the measures described above would apply to children and teenagers
using wireless phones. Reducing the time of wireless phone use and increasing the distance between the user and the RF source
will reduce RF exposure.
Some groups sponsored by other national governments have advised that children be discouraged from using wireless phones at
all. For example, the government in the United Kingdom distributed leaflets containing such a recommendation in December
2000. They noted that no evidence exists that using a wireless phone causes brain tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless phone use by children was strictly precautionary; it was not based on scientific evidence that
any health hazard exists.
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FDA Consumer Update
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