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The Project has also helped develop a series of public information documents
on EMF issues. FDA and the Cellular Telecommunica tions & Internet Association
(CTIA) have a formal Coopera tive Resear ch and Development Agreement
(CRADA) to do research on wireless phone s
afety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government, industry, and academic
organizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted through contracts to
independent investigat ors. The initial resear c
h will include both laboratory
studies and studies of wireless phone users. The CRADA will also include a broad
assessment of additional research needs in the context of the latest research
developments around the world.
7. How can I find out how much radiofrequency energy exposure I can get
by using my wireless phone?
All phones sold in the United States must comply with Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) guidelines that limit radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures.
FCC established these guidelines in consulta tion with FDA and the other
federal health and safety ag
encies. The FCC limit for RF exposure from wireless
telephones is set at a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1.6 watts per kilogram
(1.6 W/kg). The FCC limit is consistent with the safety standar ds developed by
the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) a
nd the National
Council on Radia tion Protection and Measurement. The exposure limit takes
into consider ation the body’s ability to remove heat from the tissues that absorb
energy from the wireless phone and is set well below le
vels known to have
effects. Manufacturers of wir eless phones must report the RF exposure level
for each model of phone to the FCC. The FCC website (
http://www.fda.gov
(under “c” in the subject index, select
Cell Phones > Research
))
gives directions
for loca ting 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 Elect ro nic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical
standar d for measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless
phones and other wireless handsets with the participation and leadersh
ip 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 m
ethodology 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. Standardiz ed 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 matt er. 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 ta
ke 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
r
educe 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.