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For Your Safety 101
Consumer Information About Radio Frequency
Emissions
Your wireless phone, which contains a radio transmitter and receiver,
emits radio frequency energy during use. The following consumer
information addresses commonly asked questions about the health
effects of wireless phones.
Are wireless phones safe?
Scientific research on the subject of wireless phones and radio frequency
(“RF”) energy has been conducted worldwide for many years, and continues.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the
Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) set policies and procedures
for wireless phones. The FDA issued a website publication on health issues
related to cell phone usage where it states, “The scientific community at large
… believes that the weight of scientific evidence does not show an association
between exposure to radiofrequency (RF) from cell phones and adverse
health outcomes. Still the scientific community does recommend conducting
additional research to address gaps in knowledge. That research is being
conducted around the world and FDA continues to monitor developments in
this field. You can access the joint FDA/FCC website at
http://www.fda.gov
(under “c”in the subject index, select Cell Phones > Research). You can
also contact the FDA toll-free at (888) 463-6332 or (888) INFO-FDA. In
June 2000, the FDA entered into a cooperative research and development
agreement through which additional scientific research is being conducted.
The FCC issued its own website publication stating that “there is no scientific
evidence that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety
of other problems, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.” This
publication is available at
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cellular.html
or through the
FCC at (888) 225-5322 or (888) CALL-FCC.
What does “SAR” mean?
In 1996, the FCC, working with the FDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and other agencies, established RF exposure safety guidelines for
wireless phones in the United States. Before a wireless phone model is
available for sale to the public, it must be tested by the manufacturer and
certified to the FCC that it does not exceed limits established by the FCC.
One of these limits is expressed as a Specific Absorption Rate, or “SAR.” SAR
is a measure of the rate of absorption of RF energy in the body. Tests for SAR
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