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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.
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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