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For Your Safety 121
Consumer Information about Radio Frequency
Emissions
Your wireless device, 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
devices.
Are wireless devices safe?
Scientific research on the subject of wireless devices 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 devices. The FDA
issued a website publication on health issues related to device 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 the devices 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 device 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/oet/rfsafety 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 devices
in the United States. Before a wireless device 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 device transmitting at its
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