Section 4A: Safety Guidelines 211
the antenna. Therefore, RF exposure on the ground is much less than exposure
very close to the antenna and in the path of the transmitted radio signal. In fact,
ground-level exposure from such antennas is typically thousands of times less
than the exposure levels recommended as safe by expert organizations. So
exposure to nearby residents would be well within safety margins.
Cellular and PCS base stations in the United States are required to comply with
limits for exposure recommended by expert organizations and endorsed by
government agencies responsible for health and safety. Measurements made
near cellular and PCS base station antennas mounted on towers have confirmed
that ground-level exposures are typically thousands of times less than the
exposure limits adopted by the FCC. In fact, in order to be exposed to levels at or
near the FCC limits for cellular or PCS frequencies an individual would
essentially have to remain in the main transmitted radio signal (at the height of
the antenna) and within a few feet from the antenna. This is, of course, very
unlikely to occur.
When cellular and PCS antennas are mounted on rooftops, RF levels on that roof
or on others near by would probably be greater than those typically
encountered on the ground. However, exposure levels approaching or
exceeding safety guidelines should be encountered only very close to or directly
in front of the antennas. In addition, for sector-type antennas, typically used for
such rooftop base stations, RF levels to the side and in back of these antennas are
insignificant. General guidelines on antenna installations and circumstances
that might give rise to a concern about an facility’s conformance with FCC
regulations can be found in A Local Government Official’s Guide to
Transmitting Antenna RF Emission Safety:Rules, Procedures, and Practical
Guidance. This Guide can be accessed at: http://www
.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety.
Who regulates exposure to radiation from microwave ovens, television sets
and computer monitors?
The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public from
harmful radiation emissions from these consumer products.
Does the FCC routinely monitor radiofrequency radiation from antennas?
The FCC does not have the resources or the personnel to routinely monitor the
emissions for all the thousands of transmitters that are subject to FCC
jurisdiction. However, the FCC does have measurement instrumentation for
evaluating RF levels in areas that may be accessible to the public or to workers. If
there is evidence for potential non-compliance with FCC exposure guidelines
for a FCC-regulated facility, staff from the FCC’s Office of Engineering and
Technology or the FCC Enforcement Bureau can conduct and investigation, and,
if appropriate, perform actual measurements. Circumstances that could give
rise to a concern about an facility’s conformance with FCC regulations can be
found in in A Local Government Official’s Guide to Transmitting Antenna RF
Emission Safety:Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance. This Guide can be
accessed at: http://www
.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
. Potential exposure problems should
