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The guidelines are based on standards that were
developed by independent scientific organizations
through periodic and thorough evaluation of
scientific studies. These guidelines include a
substantial safety margin designed to ensure the
safety of all persons, regardless of age and health.
The exposure standard for mobile phones
employs a unit of measurement known as
the Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR. The
SAR limit set by public authorities such as the
Federal Communications Commission of the US
Government (FCC), or by Industry Canada, is 1.6
W/kg averaged over 1 gram of body tissue. Tests
for SAR are conducted using standard operating
positions with the mobile phone transmitting at its
highest certified power level in all tested frequency
bands.
Although the SAR is determined at the highest
certified power level, the actual SAR level of the
mobile phone while operating can be well below the
maximum value. This is because the mobile phone
is designed to operate at multiple power levels
so as to use only the power required to reach the
network. In general, the closer you are to a wireless
base station antenna, the lower the power output
of the mobile phone. Before a mobile phone model
is available for sale to the public, compliance with
national regulations and standards must be shown.
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The highest SAR value for this model mobile
phone when tested is 1.090 W/kg for use at the ear
and 1.184 W/kg for use close to the body.
While there may be differences between the
SAR levels of various cellphones and at various
positions, they all meet the government requirement
for RF exposure. For body-worn operation, the
cellphone meets FCC RF exposure guidelines
provided that it is used with a non-metallic
accessory with the handset at least 10 mm from
the body. Use of other accessories may not ensure
compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines.
Additional information on SAR can be found on the
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association
(CTIA) Web site: http://www.phonefacts.net
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers
that present scientific information does not indicate
the need for any special precautions for use of
mobile phones. If individuals are concerned, they
might choose to limit their own or their children's
RF exposure by limiting the length of calls, or
using "hands-free" devices to keep mobile phones
away from the head and body. (fact sheet n°193).
Additional WHO information about electromagnetic
fields and public health are available on the
following website: http://www.who.int/peh-emf.
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