PalmOne Treo 650 User manual - page 301

Safety

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The FDA's microwave oven standard is an emission standard (as opposed to an exposure standard) 

that allows specific levels of microwave leakage (measured at five centimeters from the oven 

surface). The standard also requires ovens to have two independent interlock systems that prevent 

the oven from generating microwaves the moment that the latch is released or the door of the 

oven is opened. The FDA has stated that ovens that meet its standards and are used according to 

the manufacturer's recommendations are safe for consumer and industrial use. More information is 

available from: www.fda.gov/cdrh.

The EPA has, in the past, considered developing federal guidelines for public exposure to RF 

radiation. However, EPA activities related to RF safety and health are presently limited to 

advisory functions. For example, the EPA now chairs an Inter-agency Radiofrequency Working 

Group, which coordinates RF health-related activities among the various federal agencies with 

health or regulatory responsibilities in this area.

OSHA is responsible for protecting workers from exposure to hazardous chemical and physical 

agents. In 1971, OSHA issued a protection guide for exposure of workers to RF radiation [29 

CFR 1910.97]. However, this guide was later ruled to be only advisory and not mandatory. 

Moreover, it was based on an earlier RF exposure standard that has now been revised. At the 

present time, OSHA uses the IEEE and/or FCC exposure guidelines for enforcement purposes 

under OSHA's “general duty clause” (for more information see: http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/

radiofrequencyradiation/index.html.

NIOSH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It conducts research and 

investigations into issues related to occupational exposure to chemical and physical agents. 

NIOSH has, in the past, undertaken to develop RF exposure guidelines for workers, but final 

guidelines were never adopted by the agency. NIOSH conducts safety-related RF studies through 

its Physical Agents Effects Branch in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The NTIA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is responsible for authorizing 

Federal Government use of the RF electromagnetic spectrum. Like the FCC, the NTIA also has 

NEPA responsibilities and has considered adopting guidelines for evaluating RF exposure from 

U.S. Government transmitters such as radar and military facilities.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has conducted research on the biological effects of RF 

energy for a number of years. This research is now conducted primarily at the U.S. Air Force 

Research Laboratory located at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. The DOD Web site for RF