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Nokia 5100 User Manual

Page 184

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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.
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.
10. What about children using wireless phones?

The scientific evidence does not show a danger to users of wireless phones, including

children and teenagers. If you want to take steps to lower exposure to radiofrequency

energy (RF), the measures described above would apply to children and teenagers

using wireless phones. Reducing the time of wireless phone use and increasing the

distance between the user and the RF source will reduce RF exposure.Some groups

sponsored by other national governments have advised that children be discouraged

from using wireless phones at all. For example, the government in the United Kingdom

distributed leaflets containing such a recommendation in December 2000. They noted