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Section 4: Safety Guidelines and Warranty Information
4A: Safety 123
monitoring the latest research developments and advising other agencies
with respect to the safety of RF-emitting products used by the public, such
as cellular and PCS phones.
The FDA's microwave oven standard is an emission standard (as opposed
to an exposure standard) that allows specific levels of microwave leakage
(measured at five centimeters from the oven surface). The standard also
requires ovens to have two independent interlock systems that prevent the
oven from generating microwaves the moment that the latch is released
or the door of the oven is opened. The FDA has stated that ovens that meet
its standards and are used according to the manufacturer's
recommendations are safe for consumer and industrial use. More
information is available from:
www.fda.gov/cdrh
.
The EPA has, in the past, considered developing federal guidelines for
public exposure to RF radiation. However, EPA activities related to RF
safety and health are presently limited to advisory functions. For
example, the EPA now chairs an Inter-agency Radio Frequency Working
Group, which coordinates RF health-related activities among the various
federal agencies with health or regulatory responsibilities in this area.
OSHA is responsible for protecting workers from exposure to hazardous
chemical and physical agents. In 1971, OSHA issued a protection guide
for exposure of workers to RF radiation [29 CFR 1910.97]. However, this
guide was later ruled to be only advisory and not mandatory. Moreover, it
was based on an earlier RF exposure standard that has now been revised.
At the present time, OSHA uses the IEEE and/or FCC exposure guidelines
for enforcement purposes under OSHA's "general duty clause" (for more
information see:
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
).
NIOSH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It
conducts research and investigations into issues related to occupational
exposure to chemical and physical agents. NIOSH has, in the past,
undertaken to develop RF exposure guidelines for workers, but final
guidelines were never adopted by the agency. NIOSH conducts safety-
related RF studies through its Physical Agents Effects Branch in
Cincinnati,Ohio.
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