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formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to do research on wireless phone safety.
The FDA provides the scientific oversight, obtaining input from experts in government, industry, and academic
organizations. CTIA funded research is conducted through contracts with independent investigators. The initial
research will include both laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users. The CRADA will also include
a broad assessment of additional research needs in the context of the latest research developments around the
world.
7. How can I find out how much radiofrequency energy exposure I can get by using my wireless phone?
All phones sold in the United States must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines
that limit radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures. The FCC established these guidelines in consultation with the
FDA and the other federal health and safety agencies. The FCC limit for RF exposure from wireless telephones
is set at a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg). The FCC limit is consistent with
the safety standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and the National
Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. The exposure limit takes into consideration the body’s ability
to remove heat from the tissues that absorb energy from the wireless phone and is set well below levels known
to have effects. Manufacturers of wireless phones must report the RF exposure level for each model of phone
to the FCC. The FCC website (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety) 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 radiofrequency energy coming from wireless phones?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is developing a technical standard for measuring the
radiofrequency energy (RF) 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 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 radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency energy (RF). 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 conversations by wireless phone 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
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