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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
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 Devices: Experimental
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 tissuesimulating 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.
Safety Guidelines
9. What steps can I take to reduce my
exposure to radiofrequency energy
from my wireless phone?
If there is a risk from these products - and
at this point we do not know that there
is - it is probably very small. But if you are
concerned about avoiding even potential
risks, you can take a few simple steps to
minimize your exposure to radiofrequency
energy (RF). Since time is a key factor in
how much exposure a person receives,
reducing the amount of time spent using a
wireless phone will reduce RF exposure. If
you must conduct extended conversations
by wireless phone every day, you could
place more distance between your body
and the source of the RF, since the
exposure level drops off dramatically with
distance. For example, you could use a
headset and carry the wireless phone away
from your body or use a wireless phone
connected to a remote antenna. Again,
the scientific data do not demonstrate that
wireless phones are harmful. But if you
are concerned about the RF exposure from
these products, you can use measures like
those described above to reduce your RF
exposure from wireless phone use.
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