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FCC Policy on Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic
Fields
The FCC is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
to evaluate the effect of emissions from FCC-regulated transmitters on
the quality of the human environment. At the present time there is no
federally-mandated radio frequency (RF) exposure standard. However, several
non-government 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.
The potential hazards associated with RF electromagnetic fields are discussed
in OET
Bulletin No. 56, "Questions and Answers About the Biological
Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency 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].
Certain applicants are required to routinely perform an environmental
evaluation with respect to determining compliance with the Commission's
exposure limits. In the event that an applicant determines the site is
not within compliance, the submission of an Environmental Analysis is
required. The SAR limits for portable and mobile devices became effective
August 7, 1996. The Commission's limits for field strength and power density
became effective October 15, 1997 (see 2nd
MO&O) for all services except the Amateur Radio Service. The new
limits became effective for the Amateur Radio Service on January 1, 1998
(see First Memorandum Opinion and Order). As
of September 1, 2000 all FCC licensees are expected to be in compliance
with the FCC's RF exposure limits (See 47 C.F.R. 1.1307(b)(5)).
The following services and devices are generally required to routinely
perform an environmental evaluation.However many transmitters licensed
under these service categories may be excluded from routine evaluation
if they meet certain height and power thresholds (see OET
Bulletin 65 for exclusion criteria).
- Experimental Radio Service - Part 5
- Radio Frequency Devices - Part 15
- Multipoint Distribution Service - Part 21, subpart K
- Paging and Radiotelephone Service - Part 22, subpart E
- Cellular Radiotelephone Service - Part 22, subpart H
- Personal Communications Services - Part 24
- Satellite Communications - Part 25
- General Wireless Communications Service - Part 26
- Wireless Communications Service - Part 27
- Radio Broadcast Services - Part 73
- Experimental, auxiliary, and special broadcast and other program distributional
services - Part 74
- Stations in the Maritime Service - Part 80
- Private Land Mobile, Paging Operations - Part 90
- Private Land Mobile, "covered" Specialized Mobile Radio
- Part 90
- Amateur Radio Service - Part 97
- Local Multipoint Distribution service - Part 101, subpart L
Mobile and portable devices used as follows:
- Cellular Radio Service
- Personal Communications Service
- Satellite Communications Branch
- General Wireless Communications Service
- Wireless Communications Service
- Maritime Service
- "Covered" Specialized Mobile Radio Service
- Unlicensed PCS and millimeter wave devices
The Commission issued a Second
Memorandum Opinion and Order on August 25, 1997 to address petitions
regarding the adoption of new exposure limits. OET has revised OST Bulletin
No. 65, to provide guidance on acceptable methods of determining compliance
with the Commission's new exposure limits. The revised bulletin, OET
Bulletin 65, Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure
to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields was issued simultaneously
with the release of the Second MO&O.
Any questions on the Commission's policies with respect
to radio frequency electromagnetic fields should be addressed to:
RF Safety Program
Federal Communications Commission
Office of Engineering and Techology
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
(202) 418-2464
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