FCC Adopts New Rules On RF Safety

The FCC recently voted to change its rules on how to best protect the general public and trained workers from the health risks associated with radiofrequency (RF) emissions. The FCC decided not to change its long-standing RF exposure limits, finding that there was an insufficient scientific record to change the current levels of protection. However, the FCC adopted new rules for RF exposure in three areas: (1) broad exemptions from RF evaluation for certain types of radio transmissions; (2) calculations that should be used if a general exemption does not apply; and (3) mitigation procedures that should be used to ensure that the general public and RF-trained workers are not exposed to RF levels in excess of the FCC's exposure limits. The FCC is also inviting comment on: