The FCC has issued an updated consumer fact sheet on wireless devices and health concern. The updated fact sheet was released last week without a formal announcement which has left many consumer advocate groups upset. The main change in the fact sheet is the FCC eliminated their previous suggestion of consumers purchasing phones with lower specific absorption rates.
There has been a lot of debate & few studies with conclusive evidence showing the effects of radio frequency on human tissue as a result of cell phone usage. Some believe it can be linked to cancer, while others say there is no evidence of ill-effects. The FCC has played mediator for these two schools of though. Requiring specific absorption rates to fall below the 1.6 national limit as well as offering guidance surrounding limiting exposure to cell phones.
Several advocacy groups have focused in on specific absorption rates of cell phones, most notably San Francisco, whom have passed an ordinance (to take effect February 2011) requiring cell phone companies to clearly list the radiation emissions of their products. Currently the FCC only require that cell phones pass their absorption tests. There is no requirement to list the rates on the phone or on the packaging. CTIA, a wireless trade group has filed a lawsuit to stop the San Franciscan ordinance from taking effect stating that specific absorption rates are not a good measure of radio frequency radiation exposure and that this would effect many companies including Apple, AT&T, Verizon and Motorola negatively.
Check out Cecilia Kang's article, FCC changes cellphone safety guidance.
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