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The SAR is a value that corresponds to the relative amount of RF energy absorbed in the head of a user of a wireless handset. The FCC limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is an SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg). Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Wireless Phones and Devices Available at various Web sites.

The easiest way to ascertain SAR for many cellular phones is via the FCC's links to individual manufacturers' Web sites: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar/ . On this page you will find links to most manufacturers' Web pages that include SAR information for their phones, along with instructions on how to search each site for SAR information.

You can also obtain SAR information on many cellular phones from the FCC's database if you have the FCC ID number of the phone or device and if it was produced and marketed within the last 1-2 years.

The FCC ID number is usually shown somewhere on the case of the phone or device. In many cases, you will have to remove the battery pack to find the number. Once you have the number, proceed as follows. Go to the following Web site: Equipment Authorization. Click on the link for “FCC ID Search”. Once you are there you will see instructions for inserting the FCC ID number. Enter the FCC ID number (in two parts as indicated:  “Grantee Code” is comprised of the first three characters, the “Equipment Product Code” is the remainder of the FCC ID). Then click on “Start Search.” The grant of equipment authorization for this particular ID number should appear. Look through the grant for the section on SAR compliance, certification of compliance with FCC rules for RF exposure or similar language. This section should contain the value(s) for typical or maximum SAR for your phone.

For portable phones and devices authorized since June 2, 2000, maximum SAR levels should be noted on the grant of equipment authorization. For phones and devices authorized between about mid-1998 and June 2000, detailed information on SAR levels is typically found in the “exhibits” associated with the grant of equipment authorization. Therefore, once a grant is accessed these exhibits can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate entry labeled “View Exhibit.”

Electronic records for FCC equipment authorization grants were initiated in 1998. Therefore, prior to this date FCC records for grants are in the form of paper records that are not part of our electronic database. At this time, due to staff limitations, we are unable to routinely search through FCC paper records to extract SAR information for grants filed prior to mid- to late-1998.

If you want additional consumer information on safety of cell phones and other transmitting devices please consult the information available below at this Web Site. In particular, you may wish to read or download our OET Bulletin 56 (see “RF Safety Bulletins”) entitled: “Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.” If you have any problems or additional questions you may contact us at RF Safety (rfsafety@fcc.gov).

You may also wish to consult a consumer update on mobile phone safety published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can be found at: www.fda.gov/cellphones/.

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