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Radio Frequency Safety
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Wireless Phones and Devices Available at FCC Web Site. The FCC is in the process of providing consumers with information on human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from wireless phones and other devices through our Web Site in a "user-friendly" way. At the present time, this information can be obtained if you have the FCC ID number of the phone or device and if it was produced and marketed within the last 1-2 years. The FCC ID number is usually shown somewhere on the case of the phone or device. In many cases, you will have to remove the battery pack to find the number. Once you have the number proceed as follows. Go to the following Web address: www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid. Once you are there you will see instructions for inserting the FCC ID number. Enter the FCC ID number (in two parts as indicated: "Grantee Code" is comprised of the first three characters, the "Equipment Product Code" is the remainder of the FCC ID). Then click on "Start Search." The grant of equipment authorization for this particular ID number should appear. Look through the grant for the section on SAR compliance, certification of compliance with FCC rules for RF exposure or similar language. This section should contain the value(s) for typical or maximum SAR for your phone. The SAR is a value that corresponds to the relative amount of RF energy absorbed in the head of a user of a wireless handset. The FCC limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is an SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg). For portable phones and devices authorized since June 2, 2000, maximum SAR levels should be noted on the grant of equipment authorization. For phones and devices authorized between about mid-1998 and June 2000, detailed information on SAR levels is typically found in the "exhibits" associated with the grant of equipment authorization. Therefore, once a grant is accessed these exhibits can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate entry labeled "View Exhibit." Electronic records for FCC equipment authorization grants were initiated in 1998. Therefore, prior to this date FCC records for grants are in the form of paper records that are not part of our electronic database. At this time, due to staff limitations, we are unable to routinely search through FCC paper records to extract SAR information for grants filed prior to mid- to late-1998. If you want additional consumer information on safety of cell phones and other transmitting devices please consult the information available below at this Web Site. In particular, you may wish to read or download our OET Bulletin 56 (see "RF Safety Bulletins") entitled: "Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields." If you have any problems or additional questions you may contact us at RF Safety (rfsafety@fcc.gov). [July 18, 2000] You may also wish to consult a consumer update on mobile phone safety published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can be found at: www.fda.gov/cdrh/phones.
Radiofrequency Energy FAQs (Updated)
FCC Policy on Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields The FCC is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to evaluate the effect of emissions from FCC-regulated transmitters on the quality of the human environment. At the present time there is no federally-mandated radio frequency (RF) exposure standard. However, several non-government organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) have issued recommendations for human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. The potential hazards associated with RF electromagnetic fields are discussed in OET Bulletin No. 56, "Questions and Answers About the Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields." On August 1, 1996, the Commission adopted the NCRP's recommended Maximum Permissible Exposure limits for field strength and power density for the transmitters operating at frequencies of 300 kHz to 100 GHz. In addition, the Commission adopted the specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for devices operating within close proximity to the body as specified within the ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992 guidelines.(See Report and Order, FCC 96-326) The Commission's requirements are detailed in Parts 1 and 2 of the FCC's Rules and Regulations [47 C.F.R. 1.1307(b), 1.1310, 2.1091, 2.1093]. Certain applicants are required to routinely perform an environmental evaluation with respect to determining compliance with the Commission's exposure limits. In the event that an applicant determines the site is not within compliance, the submission of an Environmental Analysis is required. The SAR limits for portable and mobile devices became effective August 7, 1996. The Commission's limits for field strength and power density became effective October 15, 1997 (see 2nd MO&O) for all services except the Amateur Radio Service. The new limits became effective for the Amateur Radio Service on January 1, 1998 (see First Memorandum Opinion and Order). As of September 1, 2000 all FCC licensees are expected to be in compliance with the FCC's RF exposure limits (See 47 C.F.R. 1.1307(b)(5)). The following services and devices are generally required to routinely perform an environmental evaluation.However many transmitters licensed under these service categories may be excluded from routine evaluation if they meet certain height and power thresholds (see OET Bulletin 65 for exclusion criteria).
Mobile and portable devices used as follows:
The Commission issued a Second Memorandum Opinion and Order on August 25, 1997 to address petitions regarding the adoption of new exposure limits. OET has revised OST Bulletin No. 65, to provide guidance on acceptable methods of determining compliance with the Commission's new exposure limits. The revised bulletin, OET Bulletin 65, Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields was issued simultaneously with the release of the Second MO&O. Any questions on the Commission's policies with respect
to radio frequency electromagnetic fields should be addressed to: Federal Communications Commission
Information on Human Exposure to Radiofrequency
Fields from Cellular and PCS Radio Transmitters FM Model for Windows Software
Program
OET Bulletin No. 56: Questions and Answers About Biological Effects Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (Fourth Edition, August 1999) This is an informative bulletin written as a result of increasing interest and concern of the public with respect to this issue. The expanding use of radio frequency technology has resulted in speculation concerning the alleged "electromagnetic pollution" of the environment and the potential dangers of exposure to non-ionizing radiation. This publication is designed to provide factual information to the public by answering some of the most commonly asked questions. OET Bulletin No. 65: Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields This technical bulletin was issued to provide guidance in the implementation of the Commission's new exposure limits and policies. The bulletin provides acceptable methods of determining compliance Commission limits through the use of mathematical and empirical models.
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