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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 FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy coming from
wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical
standard for measuring the radiofrequency 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 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 radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency 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.
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 radiofrequency
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