Nokia 3220 User Manual

Page 82

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Appendix B Message from the FDA

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. FCC established these guidelines in consultation with 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 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.

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