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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 Specic 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 consideration the body’s
ability to remove heat from the tissues that absorb energy from the wireless device and is set
well below levels known to have eects. Manufacturers of wireless devices must report the RF
exposure level for each model of device to the FCC. The FCC website (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/
rfsafety) gives directions for locating the FCC identication number on your device so you can
nd your device’s RF exposure level in the online listing.
8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency energy coming from wireless
devices ?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for
measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless devices and other wireless
handsets with the participation and leadership of FDA scientists and engineers. The standard,
“Recommended Practice for Determining the Spatial-Peak Specic Absorption Rate (SAR) in
the Human Body Due to Wireless Communications Devices: Experimental Techniques,” sets
forth the rst consistent test methodology for measuring the rate at which RF is deposited
in the heads of wireless device 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 dierent laboratories on the same device. 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 matter. This measurement is
used to determine whether a wireless device complies with safety guidelines.
9. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to radiofrequency energy from my
wireless device?
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
take 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 device will reduce RF exposure.
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If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless device every day, you could place
more distance between your body and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops
o dramatically with distance.
For example, you could use a headset and carry the wireless device away from your body
or use a wireless device connected to a remote antenna. Again, the scientic data do not