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Why has the FCC adopted guidelines for RF exposure?
The FCC authorizes and licenses products, transmitters, and facilities that generate RF and
microwave radiation. It has jurisdiction over all transmitting services in the U.S. except those
specifically operated by the Federal Government. While the FCC does not have the expertise
to determine radiation exposure guidelines on its own, it does have the expertise and
authority to recognize and adopt technically sound standards promulgated by other expert
agencies and organizations, and has done so. (Our joint efforts with the FDA in developing
this Website is illustrative of the kind of inter-agency efforts and consultation we engage in
regarding this health and safety issue.)
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the FCC has certain
responsibilities to consider whether its actions will significantly affect the quality of the
human environment. Therefore, FCC approval and licensing of transmitters and facilities
must be evaluated for significant impact on the environment. Human exposure to RF
radiation emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters is one of several factors that must be
considered in such environmental evaluations. In 1996, the FCC revised its guidelines for RF
exposure as a result of a multi-year proceeding and as required by the Telecommunications
Act of 1996.
Radio and television broadcast stations, satellite-earth stations, experimental radio stations
and certain wireless communication facilities are required to undergo routine evaluation for
RF compliance when they submit an application to the FCC for construction or modification
of a transmitting facility or renewal of a license. Failure to comply with the FCC's RF exposure
guidelines could lead to the preparation of a formal Environmental Assessment, possible
Environmental Impact Statement and eventual rejection of an application. Technical
guidelines for evaluating compliance with the FCC RF safety requirements can be found in
the FCC's OET Bulletin 65. http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#65.
Low-powered, intermittent, or inaccessible RF transmitters and facilities are normally
excluded from the requirement for routine evaluation for RF exposure. These exclusions are
based on standard calculations and measurement data indicating that a transmitting
station or equipment operating under the conditions prescribed is unlikely to cause
exposures in excess of the guidelines under normal conditions of use. Such exclusions are
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Section 5A: Safety
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