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CH 5
FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
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 cellular telephone 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 measur-
ing the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from
wireless phones and other wireless handsets with the
participation and leader-ship 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 milli-
watts/g) of matter. This measurement is used to deter-
mine whether a wireless phone complies with safety
guidelines.
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FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
The Project has also helped develop a series of public
information documents on EMF issues. FDA and the
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research and
Development Agreement (CRADA) to do research on
wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government,
industry, and academic or-ganizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts to independ-
ent investigators. The initial research 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 lat-
est research developments around the world.
7. How can I find out how much radiofrequency ener-
gy 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 consultation with FDA
and the other federal health and safety agencies. 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 standards developed by the Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and the
National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurement. The exposure limit takes into consider-
ation the body’s ability to remove heat from the tis-
sues that absorb energy from the wireless phone and
is set well below levels known to have effects.
CH 5