Using Your Treo 700
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Smartphone
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Regulatory information
This is due to the finding that whole-body human absorption of
RF energy varies with the frequency of the RF signal. The most
restrictive limits on whole-body exposure are in the frequency
range of 30-300 MHz where the human body absorbs RF energy
most efficiently. For products that only expose part of the body,
such as wireless smartphones, exposure limits in terms of SAR
only are specified.
The exposure limits used by the FCC are expressed in terms of
SAR, electric and magnetic field strength, and power density for
transmitters operating at frequencies from 300 kHz to 100 GHz.
The specific values can be found in two FCC bulletins, OET
Bulletins 56 and 65:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/
bulletins/#56; http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/
bulletins/#65
.
Why has the FCC adopted guidelines for RF exposure?
The FCC authorizes and licenses products, transmitters, and
facilities that generate RF and microwave radiation. It has
jurisdiction over all transmitting services in the U.S. except those
specifically operated by the Federal Government. While the FCC
does not have the expertise to determine radiation exposure
guidelines on its own, it does have the expertise and authority to
recognize and adopt technically sound standards promulgated by
other expert agencies and organizations, and has done so. (Our
joint efforts with the FDA in developing this website is illustrative
of the kind of inter-agency efforts and consultation we engage in
regarding this health and safety issue.)
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA),
the FCC has certain responsibilities to consider whether its
actions will significantly affect the quality of the human
environment. Therefore, FCC approval and licensing of
transmitters and facilities must be evaluated for significant
impact on the environment. Human exposure to RF radiation
emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters is one of several factors
that must be considered in such environmental evaluations. In
1996, the FCC revised its guidelines for RF exposure as a result of
a multi-year proceeding and as required by the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Radio and television broadcast stations, satellite-earth stations,
experimental radio stations and certain wireless communication
facilities are required to undergo routine evaluation for RF
compliance when they submit an application to the FCC for
construction or modification of a transmitting facility or renewal
of a license. Failure to comply with the FCC's RF exposure
guidelines could lead to the preparation of a formal
Environmental Assessment, possible Environmental Impact
Statement and eventual rejection of an application. Technical
guidelines for evaluating compliance with the FCC.
RF safety requirements can be found in the FCC's OET Bulletin
65:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#65
.
Low-powered, intermittent, or inaccessible RF transmitters and
facilities are normally excluded from the requirement for routine
evaluation for RF exposure. These exclusions are based on
standard calculations and measurement data indicating that a
transmitting station or equipment operating under the conditions
prescribed is unlikely to cause exposures in excess of the
guidelines under normal conditions of use. Such exclusions are
not exclusions from compliance, but, rather, exclusions from
routine evaluation. The FCC's policies on RF exposure and
categorical exclusion can be found in Section 1.1307(b) of the
FCC's Rules and Regulations [(47 CFR 1.1307(b)].
How can I obtain the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
value for my wireless smartphone?
The FCC requires that
wireless smartphones sold in the United States demonstrate
compliance with human exposure limits adopted by the FCC in
1996. The relative amount of RF energy absorbed in the head of a
wireless telephone-user is given by the Specific Absorption Rate
(SAR), as explained above. The FCC requires wireless
smartphones to comply with a safety limit of 1.6 watts per
kilogram (1.6 W/kg) in terms of SAR.
Information on SAR for a specific smartphone model can be
obtained for many recently manufactured smartphones using the
FCC identification (ID) number for that model. The FCC ID
number is usually printed somewhere on the case of the
smartphone. Sometimes it may be necessary to remove the
battery pack to find the number. Once you have the ID number,
go to the following Web address:
www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid
. On this
page, you will see instructions for entering the FCC ID number.
Type the FCC ID number exactly as requested (the Grantee Code
is the first three characters, the Equipment Product Code is the
rest of the FCC ID number). Then click on “Start Search.” The
