Safety
for each model of phone to the
FCC. The FCC website
http://www.fda.gov (under "c" in
the subject index, select Cell
Phones > Research) 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-
110
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