Safety Guidelines
in the World Health Organization
International Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF) Project since its
inception in 1996. An influential
result of this work has been the
development of a detailed agenda
of research needs that has driven
the establishment of new research
programs around the world. The
project has also helped develop
a series of public 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
82
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