For Your Safety 137
devices must report the RF exposure level for each model of device to the
FCC. The FCC website (
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
) gives directions for
locating the FCC identification number on your device so you can find your
device’s RF exposure level in the online listing.
8. What has the FDA done to measure the Radio Frequency
energy coming from wireless devices?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a
technical standard for measuring the Radio Frequency (RF) energy exposure
from wireless devices 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 device 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
device. 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 device complies with safety guidelines.
9. What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to Radio
Frequency energy from my wireless device?
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 device will reduce RF exposure. If you must conduct extended
conversations by wireless device 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 device away from your body or use a wireless device connected
to a remote antenna. Again, the scientific data does not demonstrate that
wireless devices are harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF exposure
from these products, you can use measures like those described above to
