FCC Record, Volume 34, No. 14, Pages 11031 to 11845, November 25 - December 6, 2019 Page: 11,745
iv, 11031-11845p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this book.
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co-primary limit333 between 100 kHz and 10 MHz and continues our policy that MPE limits are
secondary.334 Guidance on how to comply with both limits within this frequency range may be developed
as necessary for particular applications.335 We seek comment on these proposed numerical limits. , and
on the guidance demonstrating compliance with such limits
125. As technologies push the boundaries into spectrum ranges not previously used or
anticipated, we now contemplate new rules on how to determine RF exposure compliance at these
frequencies and eliminate uncertainty that may delay investment and development of new technologies.
The Commission has no specific RF exposure limits above 100 GHz for new licensed services and
unlicensed devices.336 Although the radio spectrum is managed up to 3,000 GHz (3 THz), our exposure
limits are currently specified only up to 100 GHz.337 And since the exposure limits are constant from 6
GHz all the way up to 100 GHz338 (due to minimal body penetration), these limits could in principle be
applied up to far infrared wavelengths.339
126. We are unaware of any reason the limits should be different above 100 GHz than across
the already existing wide frequency range. As the difference in body penetration further diminishes
towards zero, there is no apparent reason to expect that thermal effects will effectively change in the
increasingly higher frequencies. Accordingly, we propose to extend the same constant exposure limits
that presently apply from 6 GHz to 100 GHz up to an upper frequency of 3,000 GHz (3 THz), which is
considered to be the upper bound of existing radiofrequency bands.340 Starting at 300 GHz or a
wavelength of 1,000 micrometers (pm), standards have been developed for lasers primarily for
application in industrial settings.341 In an effort by standards bodies to match the laser standards, RF
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apply. Thus, although we expect that most RF sources will be unaffected by this proposed change, preventing
electrostimulation effects, even under rare circumstances, is necessary to protect the public consistent with our
obligations under NEPA.
333 This means that both Ei and SAR limits must be met between 100 kHz and 10 MHz.
334 See 47 CFR 1.1310(a) ("Specific absorption rate (SAR) shall be used to evaluate the environmental impact of
human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation as specified in 1.1307(b) within the frequency range of 100 kHz
to 6 GHz (inclusive)."); see also 2013 RF Order and Notice, 28 FCC Rcd at 3506-09, paras. 20-27 ("Primacy of
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) over Power Density or Field Strength below 6 GHz").
33 We propose that our policy on recommended best practices for evaluation techniques to comply with both E and
SAR in the frequency range between 100 kHz and 10 MHz should be contained in our Bulletins and in other
supplemental materials, such as the OET Laboratory Knowledge Database (KDB).
336 See Spectrum Horizons, First Report and Order, FCC 19-19, para. 43 (Mar. 15, 2019) (Spectrum Horizons R&O);
see also Spectrum Horizons, Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 33 FCC Red 2438, 2473, para. 82 (2018) (Spectrum
Horizons NPRM).
337 Id.
338 See 47 CFR 1.1310. The power density limits specified for general population and occupational exposure for
1.5 GHz up to 100 GHz are 1 mW/cm2 and 5 mW/cm2 respectively for whole-body continuous exposure.
339 Spectrum Horizons R&O, at para. 43.
340 We note over the frequency range between 1.5 GHz and 6 GHz that the power density limits specified for general
population and occupational exposure are 1 mW/cm2 and 5 mW/cm2 respectively for whole-body continuous
exposure.
341 See, e.g., International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines on Limits of
Exposure to Laser Radiation of Wavelengths between 180 nm and 1,000 pm, Health Physics 105(3):271-295; 2013.
ICNIRP Publication - 2013, available at http://www.icnirp.org.11745
Federal Communications Commission
FCC 19-126
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United States. Federal Communications Commission. FCC Record, Volume 34, No. 14, Pages 11031 to 11845, November 25 - December 6, 2019, book, December 2019; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1637223/m1/723/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.