The exposure standard for wireless mobile phones employs a unit of measurement
known as the Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR. The SAR limit set by the FCC and
Health Canada is 1.6 W/kg
1
. Tests for SAR are conducted using standard operating
positions accepted by the FCC with the phone transmitting at its highest certified
power level in all tested frequency bands. Although the SAR is determined at the
highest certified power level, the actual SAR level of the phone while operating can
be well below the maximum value. This is because the phone is designed to operate
at multiple power levels so as to use only the power required to reach the network. In
general, the closer you are to a wireless base station antenna, the lower the power
output.
Before a phone model is available for sale to the public, it must be tested and
certified to the FCC that it does not exceed the RF limit established by the
government-adopted requirement for safe exposure. The tests are performed in
positions and locations (i.e., at the ear and worn on the body) as required by the FCC
for each model.
The highest SAR value for these model phones as reported to the FCC when tested
for use at the ear and when worn on the body are (measured at a distance of
0.98 inches (2.5 cm)):
SAR at the ear
(W/kg)
SAR worn on the body
(W/kg)
Version
PCS 1900
PCS 1900
VS4 EP2006
1.080 W/kg
0.403 W/kg
While there may be differences between the SAR levels of various phones and at
various positions, they all meet the FCC requirement. The FCC has granted an
Equipment Authorization for this model phone with all reported SAR levels evaluated
as in compliance with the FCC RF exposure guidelines. SAR information on this
model phone is on file with the FCC and can be found under the Display Grant
section of http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid after searching on FCC ID M9HEP2006
(E
P
2006).
Additional Information can be found on the website of the World Health Organization
(http://www.who.int/emf).
15.3 Safety
Information
Aircraft
: Switch off your wireless device whenever you are instructed to do so by
airport or airline staff. If your device offers a “flight mode” or similar feature, consult
airline staff as to its use in flight.
Driving
: Full attention should be given to driving at all times, and regulations
restricting the use of wireless devices while driving must be observed. For further
driving safety tips, please refer to Driving safety tips at page 89.
1
In the United States and Canada, the SAR limit for mobile phones used by the public is
1.6 watts/kilogram (W/kg) averaged over one gram of tissue. The standard incorporates a
substantial margin of safety to give additional protection for the public and to account for any
variations in measurements.
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