RF Exposure
FCC Policy on Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
The FCC is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, among other things, to evaluate the effect of emissions from FCC-regulated transmitters on the quality of the human environment. Several 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. 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]. The potential hazards associated with RF electromagnetic fields are discussed in our RF Safety FAQ.
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12/4/19
FCC Maintains Current RF Safety Rules: On November 27, 2019, the FCC voted to take a number of steps in its ongoing review of various rules pertaining to the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements related to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from radio transmitters. The FCC’s multipronged effort is divided into four parts: Resolution of Notice of Inquiry and closure of ET Docket No. 13-84, a Report and Order and a Memorandum Opinion and Order and closure of ET Docket No. 03-137, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking opening a new docket, ET Docket No. 19-226. In the Resolution of Notice of Inquiry the FCC concludes that the best available scientific evidence, including our consideration of the opinions provided by expert U.S. federal health agencies, supports maintaining the existing RF exposure limits. In the Report and Order and a Memorandum Opinion and Order, the FCC adopts several issues since they were initiated in 2003 and further extended by proposals in 2013 that revise and update its regulations implementing NEPA. Specifically, the FCC: (1) streamlines its criteria for determining when a licensee is exempt from our RF exposure evaluation criteria; (2) provides more flexibility for licensees to establish compliance with our RF exposure limits; (3) specifies methods that RF equipment operators can use to mitigate the risk of excess exposure, both to members of the public and trained workers (such as training, supervision, and signage); and (4) upholds its prior 2013 decision to consider the exposure limit for the outer ears to be the same as for other body extremities. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the FCC proposes to formalize additional limits for localized RF exposure and the associated methodology for compliance for portable devices and wireless power transfer (WPT) equipment on top of its already existing limits that apply in the frequency ranges over which these devices will operate (100 kHz to 100 GHz), and considers extending the applicable frequency range to frequencies outside of this range as well (3 kHz to 3 THz).
FCC Advances Procedures on RF Safety Rules: On March 27, 2013, the FCC voted to advance its review of its various rules pertaining to the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements related to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from radio transmitters. The FCC has divided this process into three parts: a Report and Order (Order) and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) in ET Docket No. 03-137, and a Notice of Inquiry (Inquiry) in a new docket, ET Docket No. 13-84. In the Order the FCC concludes several technical and semantic issues initiated in 2003 that revise and update its regulations implementing NEPA. In the Further Notice the FCC proposes to further update and revise its procedures beyond its 2003 proposals. In the Inquiry the FCC requests comment to determine whether its RF exposure limits and policies need to be reassessed. Since consideration of the limits themselves is explicitly outside of the scope of ET Docket No. 03-137, the FCC opens a new docket, ET Docket No. 13-84, with the Inquiry to consider these limits in light of more recent developments. The Inquiry is intended to open discussion on both the currency of our RF exposure limits and possible policy approaches regarding RF exposure. While the FCC has continuously monitored research and conferred with experts in this field, and is confident in its RF exposure guidelines and the soundness of the basis for its rules, it is a matter of good government to periodically reexamine regulations and their implementation. The FCC looks forward to developing a complete record by soliciting the input of qualified expert agencies and organizations and the public, to determine whether the current rules and policies should remain unchanged, or should be relaxed or tightened.
Click on this link below to run your RF Exposuer Calculator.
https://www.arrl.org/rf-exposure-calculator
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