DANIEL LIPINSKI COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION 3 FtO D1 STAICT, ILLIN OIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE www.lipinski.house.gov RAILROA DS, PIPE LINES, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CHAIRMAN 2346 RAYSUflN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515-1303 _ctrongre!'g' of tbe mntttb ~tattg' COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, 1202) 225-5701 AND TECHNOLOGY (202) 225-1012 fAX TOLL " AEE FflOM IL 1866) 822-5701 Jtoust of l\tprt5tntatibt5 mla9'bington, 11\<t 20515- 1303 860 November 19, 2019 The Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 445 12" h Street SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: I write today to request information about research studies used by the FCC in the agency's decision­ making regarding radiofrequency (RF) exposure safety standards. Many of my constituents have reached out to me with questions about RF exposure safety given the widespread deployment of new telecommunications technologies and societal changes in how cell phones are used. As you know, in 1996, the FCC promulgated guidelines for safe levels for human exposure to RF energy. Last August, you announced a proposal maintaining these existing RF limits. While I understand that the FCC worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies in recommending no changes to current RF exposure limits, it is not clear what research and what evaluation process the FCC relied on in making this decision. The FCC has a responsibility to ensure public confidence in its decisions by being transparent and forthright about its decision-making. To that end, I respectfully request additional information about the scope of the research the FCC relied on for its review and that your staff provide a list and descriptions of the studies examined prior to last August's decision. In addition, I would like to draw your attention to an August 21, 2019 article in the Chicago Tribune reporting independent testing of popular cell phones. The Tribune's investigation found that popular brands of phones expose users to RF energy at levels both above both current legal safety limits and the measurements reported by the companies themselves. Regardless of where any particular standard should be set, I trust we can all agree that violations of existing rules are a very serious matter and deserve prompt and vigorous attention from government authorities. The Tribune reported that the FCC would conduct its own testing to see if these results could be replicated. Please provide an update on the status of this testing, what steps the FCC is taking to ensure compliance with existing rules, and when results may become publicly available. Thank you for your attention and consideration of this letter. Please reach out to Sofya.Leonova on my staff with any questions or follow-up at sofya.leonova@mail.house.gov or (202)225-5701. I look forward to your response. " " 6245 SOUTH ARCHER AVENJ E 5210 WEST 95- H STREET M1 04 222 EAST 9TH S~REET '109 14700 SOUTH RAVINIA AV[ NUE CHICAGO, IL 60638 O AK LAWN, IL 60453 LOO<;l'ORT, IL 60441 ORLAND PARI<, IL 60462 (312) 886--0481 4708) 424--0853 (81 5) 838-1990 (708) 403-4379 (7731767 - 9395 FAX (708) 424- 1855 FAX (8 15) 838-1993 FAX (708) 403- 5963 F&X ~ Nl!O ON RECYCLED PAPER