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FDA CONSUMER UPDATE
The Project has also helped develop a series of public information documents on
EMF issues. FDA and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Asso-ciation
(CTIA) have a formal Cooperative Research and De-velopment Agreement
(CRADA) to do research on wireless phone safety. FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from experts in government, industry, and academic or-
ganizations. CTIA-funded research is conducted through con-tracts to
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.
7. How can I find out how much radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures. FCC
established these guidelines in consultation with FDA and the other federal health
and safety agencies. The FCC limit for RF exposure from wire-less 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
Electri-cal 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 expo-sure 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.
8. What has FDA done to measure the radiofrequency en-ergy coming from
wireless phones ?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical
standard for measuring the radiofrequency energy (RF) exposure from wireless
phones and other wireless handsets with the participation and leader-ship of FDA
scientists and engineers. The standard, "Recom-mended 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 tissue-simulating 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 mea-surement 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.
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
C
the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. For example, you could
H
use a headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a
wireless phone connected to a remote an-tenna.
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