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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 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, see the
FCC’s OET Bulletins 56 and 65 at http://www.
fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/
Documents/bulletins or visit the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association
website at http://www.ctia.org/consumer_info/
index.cfm/AID/10371. 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
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