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FDA may also take regulatory action. The most important post-grant test, from a
consumer’s perspective, is testing of the RF emissions of the phone. FCC measures
the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of the phone, following a very rigorous testing
protocol. As is true for nearly any scientific measurement, there is a possibility
that the test measurement may be less than or greater than the actual RF emitted
by the phone. This difference between the RF test measurement and actual RF
emission is because test measurements are limited by instrument accuracy, because
test measurement and actual use environments are different, and other variable
factors. This inherent variability is known as “measurement uncertainty.” When FCC
conducts post-grant testing of a cell phone, FCC takes into account any measurement
uncertainty to determine whether regulatory action is appropriate. This approach
ensures that when FCC takes regulatory action, it will have a sound, defensible
scientific basis.
FDA scientific staff reviewed the methodology used by FCC to measure cell phone RF,
and agreed it is an acceptable approach, given our current understanding of the
risks presented by cellular phone RF emissions. RF emissions from cellular phones
have not been shown to present a risk of injury to the user when the measured
SAR is less than the safety limits set by FCC (an SAR of 1.6 w/kg). Even in a case
where the maximum measurement uncertainty permitted by current measurement
standards was added to the maximum permissible SAR, the resulting SAR value
would be well below any level known to produce an acute effect. Consequently,
FCC’s approach with measurement uncertainty will not result in consumers being
exposed to any known risk from the RF emitted by cellular telephones.
FDA will continue to monitor studies and literature reports concerning acute
effects of cell phone RF, and concerning chronic effects of long-term exposure to
cellular telephone RF (that is, the risks from using a cell phone for many years). If
new information leads FDA to believe that a change to FCC’s measurement policy
may be appropriate, FDA will contact FCC and both agencies will work together
to develop a mutually-acceptable approach.
Updated July 29, 2003