Safety
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 (RF) energy 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.
82
LG5000
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 (RF) energy exposure from wireless phones
and other wireless handsets 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
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 guidelines.
Devices:
Experimental