Section 4A: Safety 150
does have the expertise and authority to recognize and adopt technically sound
standards promulgated by other expert agencies and organizations, and has done
so. (Our joint efforts with the FDA in developing this website is illustrative of the kind
of inter-agency efforts and consultation we engage in regarding this health and
safety issue.)
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the FCC has certain
responsibilities to consider whether its actions will significantly affect the quality of
the human environment. Therefore, FCC approval and licensing of transmitters and
facilities must be evaluated for significant impact on the environment. Human
exposure to RF radiation emitted by FCC-regulated transmitters is one of several
factors that must be considered in such environmental evaluations. In 1996, the FCC
revised its guidelines for RF exposure as a result of a multi-year proceeding and as
required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Radio and television broadcast stations, satellite-earth stations, experimental radio
stations and certain wireless communication facilities are required to undergo
routine evaluation for RF compliance when they submit an application to the FCC for
construction or modification of a transmitting facility or renewal of a license. Failure
to comply with the FCC’s RF exposure guidelines could lead to the preparation of a
formal Environmental Assessment, possible Environmental Impact Statement and
eventual rejection of an application. Technical guidelines for evaluating compliance
with the FCC RF safety requirements can be found in the FCC’s OET Bulletin 65.
h
ttp://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#65
Low-powered, intermittent, or inaccessible RF transmitters and facilities are
normally excluded from the requirement for routine evaluation for RF exposure.
These exclusions are based on standard calculations and measurement data
indicating that a transmitting station or equipment operating under the conditions
prescribed is unlikely to cause exposures in excess of the guidelines under normal
conditions of use. Such exclusions are not exclusions from compliance, but, rather,
exclusions from routine evaluation. The FCC’s policies on RF exposure and
categorical exclusion can be found in Section 1.1307(b) of the FCC’s Rules and
Regulations [(47 CFR 1.1307(b)].
How can I obtain the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for my
wireless phone?
The FCC requires that wireless phones sold in the United States demonstrate
compliance with human exposure limits adopted by the FCC in 1996. The relative
amount of RF energy absorbed in the head of a wireless telephone-user is given by
the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), as explained above. The FCC requires wireless
phones to comply with a safety limit of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg) in terms
of SAR.
Information on SAR for a specific phone model can be obtained for many recently
manufactured phones using the FCC identification (ID) number for that model. The
FCC ID number is usually printed somewhere on the case of the phone. Sometimes it
may be necessary to remove the battery pack to find the number. Once you have the
ID number, go to the following Web address: w
ww.fcc.gov/oet/fccid. On this page,
