Palm 650 - Manual (Page 332)

320 Section 5A: Safety
devices, television sets, microwave ovens, laser products and sunlamps. The CDRH
established a product performance standard for microwave ovens in 1971 limiting the
amount of RF leakage from ovens. However, the CDRH has not adopted performance
standards for other RF-emitting products. The FDA is, however, the lead federal health
agency in monitoring the latest research developments and advising other agencies with
respect to the safety of RF-emitting products used by the public, such as cellular and
PCS phones.
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,