information documents on EMF issues. 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
Safety Guidelines
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) exposure from wireless
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