User's Manual

Safety Guidelines

standard for measuring the radio frequency 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 tissuesimulating 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 a

headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a wireless phone

connected to a remote antenna. Again, the scientific data do not demonstrate that

wireless phones are harmful. But if you are concerned about the RF exposure from

these products, you can use measures like those described above to reduce your RF

exposure from wireless phone use.