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ONE User Guide - R1.0 - April 21, 2010 125
phones and adverse health outcomes. Still the scientific community does recommend conducting
additional research to address gaps in knowledge. That research is being conducted around the world
and FDA continues to monitor developments in this field.” You can access the FDA website at http://
http://www.fda.gov (under “c” in the subject index, select Cell Phones > Research). You can also
contact the FDA toll-free at (888) 463-6332 or (888) INFO-FDA. The FCC issued its own website
publication stating that “[t]here is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless telephone usage
can lead to cancer or other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.” This
publication is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cellular.html or through the FCC at (888) 225-
5322 or (888) CALL-FCC. The National Cancer Institute (“NCI”) states that concerns about the
potential health effects of using cellular phones – “and specifically the suggestion that using a cell
phone may increase a person’s risk of developing brain cancer – are not supported by a growing body
of research on the subject.” You can access NCI’s review of the research at http://www.cancer.gov/
ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_092308/page7.
What does Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) mean?
In 1996, the FCC, working with the FDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other
agencies, established RF exposure safety guidelines for wireless devices in the United States. Before a
wireless device model is available for sale to the public, it must be tested by the manufacturer and
certified to the FCC that it does not exceed limits established by the FCC.
One of these limits is expressed as a Specific Absorption Rate, or “SAR.” SAR is a measure of the rate
of absorption of RF energy in the body. Tests for SAR are conducted with the wireless device
transmitting at its highest power level in all tested frequency bands. Since 1996, the FCC has required
that the SAR of handheld wireless devices not exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram, averaged over one gram
of tissue. Although the SAR is determined at the highest power level, the actual SAR value of a
wireless device while operating can be less than the reported SAR value. This is because the SAR
value may vary from call to call, depending on factors such as proximity to a cell site, the proximity of
the wireless device to the body while in use, and the use of hands-free devices.
For more information about SARs, see the FCC’s OET Bulletins 56 and 65 at www.fcc.gov/ Bureaus/
Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins, www.fcc.gov/oet/ea. You may also wish to contact the
manufacturer of your wireless device.
Can I minimize my RF exposure?
If you are concerned about RF, there are several simple steps you can take to minimize your RF
exposure. You can, of course, reduce your talk time. You can place more distance between your body
and the source of the RF, as the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance.
The FDA/FCC website states that “[h]ands-free kits can be used with wireless devices for convenience
and comfort. These systems reduce absorption of RF energy in the head because the phone, which is a