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The FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) to do research on wireless phone safety. The FDA
provides the scientific oversight, obtaining input from experts in
government, industry, and academic organizations. CTIA-funded
research is conducted through contracts with independent 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 latest research
developments around the world.
7.How can I find out how much radio frequency energy
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 radio
frequency energy (RF) exposures. The FCC established these guidelines
in consultation with the 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 consideration the body’s ability to remove heat
from the tissues 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 locating the FCC identification number on your phone so
you can find your phone’s RF exposure level in the online listing.
8.What has the FDA done to measure the radio frequency
energy coming from wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing
a technical standard for measuring the radio frequency energy (RF)
Safety Guidelines
