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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 tissue that absorb energy from the
wireless phone and is set well below levels known to have effects.
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 location the FCC identification number on
your phone so you can find your phone s RF exposure level in the online listing.
What has FDA done to measure the radio frequency energy coming form wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for measuring the
radio frequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless phones and other wireless hand sets with the participation
and leadership 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 milliwatts/g) of matter. This measurement is used to determine
whether a wireless phone complies with safety guideline.
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 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 phone will reduce 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. For
example, you could use a headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a wireless phone
connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned
about the RF exposure from these products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce your
RF exposure from wireless phone use.
