For Your Safety
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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.
8. What has the FDA done to measure the
Radio Frequency energy coming from
wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
(IEEE) is developing a technical standard for
measuring the Radio Frequency (RF) energy
exposure from wireless phones and other wireless
handsets with the participation and leadership
of FDA scientists and engineers. The standard,
“Recommended 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 measurement 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 Radio Frequency 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
Radio Frequency (RF) energy. 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
the exposure level drops off dramatically with
distance. For example, you could use a headset
and carry the wireless phone away from your body
or use a wireless phone connected to a remote
antenna. Again, the scientific data does not
demonstrate that wireless phones are harmful. But
