FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
October 5, 2012
...JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Patrick Leahy
United States Senate
433 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Leahy:
Thank you for your letter regarding radiofrequency energy exposure limits for mobile
phones. I appreciate your interest in this matter and have directed the Chief of the FCC's Office
of Engineering and Technology to respond. I am pleased to provide the enclosed letter
addressing your concerns.
If you have any additional questions or need any further assistance, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski
Enclosure
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-/000
•
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
October 5, 2012
The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy
United States Senate
433 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Leahy:
Thank you for your letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin a
comprehensive review of its current radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. The Chairman has asked
me to respond on his beha If.
The Commission shares your concern that our regulations must protect the health of
consumers with respect to exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions. As a matter of course, the
FCC staff has continuously mon itored the developments and research related to RF exposure and
works closely with other federal agencies having appropriate health expertise.
While the expelt U.S. and international organizations continue to expressly find no
established link between mobile phone use and adverse health effects,we recognize that it has been
many years since we conducted a formal review of our RF exposure limits and implementation
practices. As you observe in your letter, there has been increased research on the subject usage has
increased dramatically, and usage patterns and practices have changed. The Commission is currently
considering a draft rulemaking that would invite public comment on the current RF safety standards
and testing requirements, as well as a variety of other matters related to RF safety. We have
coordinated our activities in this area with other federal agencies and are committed to continue
doing so as we move forward.
Wh iIe we cannot comment on or prej udge a pend ing Com mission decision, if such an
inquiry is initiated by the Commission, we would look forward to receiving comments from experts,
including those at other relevant federal agencies, as well as from various stakeholders and the
general public, throughout the course of this proceeding once the Commissioners duly consider
whether to approve the inquiry.
Sincerely,
\\~G?~~
Julius P. Knapp
Chief
Office of Engineering and Technology
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
October 5, 2012
...JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Bernard Sanders
United States Senate
332 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Sanders:
Thank you for your letter regarding radiofrequency energy exposure limits for mobile
phones. I appreciate your interest in this matter and have directed the Chief of the FCC's Office
of Engineering and Technology to respond. I am pleased to provide the enclosed letter
addressing your concerns.
If you have any additional questions or need any fUliher assistance, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski
Enclosure
-
445 12n-i STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
October 5, 2012
The Honorable Bernard Sanders
United States Senate
332 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Sanders:
Thank you for your letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin a
comprehensive review of its current radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. The Chairman has asked
me to respond on his behalf.
The Commission sharcs your concern that our regulations must protect the health of
consumers with respect to exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions. As a matter of course, the
FCC staff has continuously monitored the developments and research related to RF exposure and
works closely with other federal agencies having appropriate health expertise.
While the expert U.S. and international organizations continue to expressly find no
established link between mobile phone use and adverse health effects, we recognize that it has been
many years since we conducted a formal review of our RF exposure limits and implementation
practices. As you observe in your letter. there has been increased research on the subject usage has
increased dramatically, and usage patterns and practices have changed. The Commission is currently
considering a draft rulemaking that would invite public comment on the current RF safety standards
and testing requirements, as well as a variety of other matters related to RF safety. We have
coordinated our activities in this area with other federal agencies and are committed to continue
doing so as we move forward.
While we cannot comment on or prejudge a pending Commission decision, if such an
inquiry is initiated by the Commission, we would look forward to receiving comments from experts,
including those at other relevant federal agencies, as well as from various stakeholders and the
general public. throughout the course of this proceeding once the Commissioners duly consider
whether to approve the inquiry.
Sincerely,
Julius P. Knapp
Chief
Office of Engineering and Technology
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
October 5, 2012
c.!ULlUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Peter Welch
U.S. House of Representatives
1404 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Welch:
Thank you for your letter regarding radiofrequency energy exposure limits for mobile
phones. I appreciate your interest in this matter and have directed the Chief of the FCC's Office
of Engineering and Technology to respond. I am pleased to provide the enclosed letter
addressing your concerns.
If you have any additional questions or need any further assistance, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Sincerely,
Julius Genachowski
Enclosure
445 12n1 STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-/000
•
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
October 5, 2012
The Honorable Peter Welch
U.S. House of Representatives
1404 Longworth I-louse Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Welch:
Thank you for your letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin a
comprehensive review of its current radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits. The Chairman has asked
me to respond on his behalf.
The Commission shares your concern that our regulations must protect the health of
consumers with respect to exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions. As a matter of course, the
FCC staff has continuollsly mon itored the developments and research related to RF exposure and
works closely with other federal agencies having appropriate health expertise.
While the expert U.S. and international organizations continue to expressly find no
established link between mobile phone use and adverse health effects, we recognize that it has been
many years since we conducted a formal review of our RF exposure limits and implementation
practices. As you observe in your letter. there has been increased research on the subject usage has
increased dramatically, and usage patterns and practices have changed. The Commission is currently
considering a draft rulemaking that would invite public comment on the current Rr safety standards
and testing requirements. as well as a variety of other matters related to RF safety. We have
coordinated our activities in this area with other federal agencies and are committed to continue
doing so as we move forward.
While we cannot comment on or prejudge a pending Commission decision, if such an
inquiry is initiated by the Commission, we would look forward to receiving comments from experts,
including those at other relevant federal agencies, as well as from various stakeholders and the
general public, throughout the course of this proceeding once the Commissioners duly consider
whether to approve the inquiry.
Sincerely,
Julius P. Knapp
Chief
Office of Engineering and Technology