Palm 650 User Manual page 333

but final guidelines were never adopted by the agency. NIOSH conducts safety-related RF
studies through its Physical Agents Effects Branch in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The NTIA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is responsible for
authorizing Federal Government use of the RF electromagnetic spectrum. Like the FCC, the
NTIA also has NEPA responsibilities and has considered adopting guidelines for evaluating
RF exposure from U.S. Government transmitters such as radar and military facilities.
The Department of Defense (DOD) has conducted research on the biological effects of RF
energy for a number of years. This research is now conducted primarily at the U.S. Air Force
Research Laboratory located at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. The DOD Website for RF
biological effects information is listed with other sites in conjunction with a question on
other sources of information, below.
Who funds and carries out research on the biological effects of RF energy?
Research into possible biological effects of RF energy is carried out in laboratories in the
United States and around the world. In the U.S., most research has been funded by the
Department of Defense, due to the extensive military use of RF equipment such as radar and
high-powered radio transmitters. In addition, some federal agencies responsible for health
and safety, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), have sponsored and conducted research in this area. At the present
time, most of the non-military research on biological effects of RF energy in the U.S. is being
funded by industry organizations. More research is being carried out overseas, particularly
in Europe.
In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the International EMF Project to
review the scientific literature and work towards resolution of health concerns over the use
of RF technology. WHO maintains a Website that provides extensive information on this
project and about RF biological effects and research (www.who.ch/peh-emf).
FDA, EPA and other US government agencies responsible for public health and safety have
worked together and in connection with WHO to monitor developments and identify
research needs related to RF biological effects.
Section 5A: Safety 321