Safety
information documents on EMF issues.
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.
7. How can I find out how much Radio
Frequency 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
Radio Frequency (RF) energy exposures.
The FCC established these guidelines in
68
consultation with the FDA and the other
federal health and safety agencies. The FCC
limit for RF exposure from wireless phones
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.
8. What has the FDA done to measure
the Radio Frequency energy coming from
wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic
)