User's Manual

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research developments around the world.
6. What research is needed to decide whether RF exposure from wireless phones poses a health
risk?
A combination of laboratory studies and epidemiological studies of people actually using wireless phones would
provide some of the vital data. Lifetime animal exposure studies could be completed in a few years. However,
very large numbers of animals would be needed to provide reliable proof of a cancer-promoting effect, if one exists.
Epidemiological studies can provide data that is directly applicable to human populations, but ten or more years of
follow-up research may be needed to provide answers about certain health effects, such as cancer.
This is due to the interval between exposure time to a cancer-causing agent and the rate for which tumors develop
- if they do. This could take several years into the future. The interpretation of epidemiological studies is
hampered by difficulties in measuring actual RF exposure during day-to-day use of wireless phones. Many factors
affect this measurement, such as the angle at which the phone is held, or which model of phone is used.
7. 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 mill-watts/g) of matter. This
measurement is used to determine whether a wireless phone complies with safety guidelines.
8. 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 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 (1.6W/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.