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For Your Safety 106
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 are
conducted with the phone transmitting at its highest power level in all tested
frequency bands. Since 1996, the FCC has required that the SAR of handheld
wireless phones not exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram, averaged over one gram
of tissue. Although the SAR is determined at the highest power level, the
actual SAR value of a wireless phone while operating can be less than the
reported SAR value. This is because the SAR value may vary from call to call,
depending on factors such as proximity to a cell site, the proximity of the
phone to the body while in use, and the use of hands-free devices.
For more information about SARs, visit the FCC website at
https://www.fcc.
gov/consumers/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-
means-you
. You may also wish to contact the manufacturer of your phone.
Can I minimize my RF exposure?
If you are concerned about RF, there are several simple steps you can take to
minimize your RF exposure. You can, of course, reduce your talk time.
You can place more distance between your body and the source of the RF, as
the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. The FDA/FCC website
states that “hands-free kits can be used with wireless phones for convenience
and comfort. These systems reduce the absorption of RF energy in the head
because the phone, which is the source of the RF emissions, will not be placed
against the head. On the other hand, if the phone is mounted against the
waist or other part of the body during use, then that part of the body will
absorb more RF energy. Wireless phones marketed in the U.S. are required to
meet safety requirements regardless of whether they are used against the
head or against the body. Either configuration should result in compliance with
the safety limit.” Also, if you use your wireless phone while in a car, you can
use a phone with an antenna on the outside of the vehicle. You should also
read and follow your wireless phone manufacturer’s instructions for the safe
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