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Safety Guidelines
has been a leading participant 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 of additional research
needs in the context of the latest research
developments around the world.
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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.
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