47 C.F.R. § 1.1310

Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits

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(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) of this part within the frequency range of 100 kHz to 6 GHz (inclusive).

(b) The SAR limits for occupational/controlled exposure are 0.4 W/kg, as averaged over the whole body, and a peak spatial-average SAR of 8 W/kg, averaged over any 1 gram of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of a cube). Exceptions are the parts of the human body treated as extremities, such as hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and pinnae, where the peak spatial-average SAR limit for occupational/controlled exposure is 20 W/kg, averaged over any 10 grams of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of a cube). Exposure may be averaged over a time period not to exceed 6 minutes to determine compliance with occupational/controlled SAR limits.

(c) The SAR limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure are 0.08 W/kg, as averaged over the whole body, and a peak spatial-average SAR of 1.6 W/kg, averaged over any 1 gram of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of a cube). Exceptions are the parts of the human body treated as extremities, such as hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and pinnae, where the peak spatial-average SAR limit is 4 W/kg, averaged over any 10 grams of tissue (defined as a tissue volume in the shape of a cube). Exposure may be averaged over a time period not to exceed 30 minutes to determine compliance with general population/uncontrolled SAR limits.

(d)(1) Evaluation with respect to the SAR limits in this section must demonstrate compliance with both the whole-body and peak spatial-average limits using technically supported measurement or computational methods and exposure conditions in advance of authorization (licensing or equipment certification) and in a manner that facilitates independent assessment and, if appropriate, enforcement. Numerical computation of SAR must be supported by adequate documentation showing that the numerical method as implemented in the computational software has been fully validated; in addition, the equipment under test and exposure conditions must be modeled according to protocols established by FCC-accepted numerical computation standards or available FCC procedures for the specific computational method.

(2) For operations within the frequency range of 300 kHz and 6 GHz (inclusive), the limits for maximum permissible exposure (MPE), derived from whole-body SAR limits and listed in Table 1 in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, may be used instead of whole-body SAR limits as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section to evaluate the environmental impact of human exposure to RF radiation as specified in § 1.1307(b) of this part, except for portable devices as defined in § 2.1093 of this chapter as these evaluations shall be performed according to the SAR provisions in § 2.1093.

(3) At operating frequencies above 6 GHz, the MPE limits listed in Table 1 in paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall be used in all cases to evaluate the environmental impact of human exposure to RF radiation as specified in § 1.1307(b) of this part.

(4) Both the MPE limits listed in Table 1 in paragraph (e)(1) of this section and the SAR limits as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section are for continuous exposure, that is, for indefinite time periods. Exposure levels higher than the limits are permitted for shorter exposure times, as long as the average exposure over a period not more than the specified averaging time in Table 1 in paragraph (e)(1) is less than (or equal to) the exposure limits. Detailed information on our policies regarding procedures for evaluating compliance with all of these exposure limits can be found in the most recent edition of FCC's OET Bulletin 65, “Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,” and its supplements, all available at the FCC's internet website: https://www.fcc.gov/general/oet-bulletins-line, and in the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Laboratory Division Knowledge Database (KDB) (https://www.fcc.gov/kdb).

Note to paragraphs (a) through (d):

SAR is a measure of the rate of energy absorption due to exposure to RF electromagnetic energy. These SAR limits to be used for evaluation are based generally on criteria published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for localized SAR in Section 4.2 of “IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz,” ANSI/IEEE Std C95.1-1992, copyright 1992 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York 10017. These criteria for SAR evaluation are similar to those recommended by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) in “Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,” NCRP Report No. 86, Section 17.4.5, copyright 1986 by NCRP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Limits for whole body SAR and peak spatial-average SAR are based on recommendations made in both of these documents. The MPE limits in Table 1 are based generally on criteria published by the NCRP in “Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,” NCRP Report No. 86, Sections 17.4.1, 17.4.1.1, 17.4.2 and 17.4.3, copyright 1986 by NCRP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. In the frequency range from 100 MHz to 1500 MHz, these MPE exposure limits for field strength and power density are also generally based on criteria recommended by the ANSI in Section 4.1 of “IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz,” ANSI/IEEE Std C95.1-1992, copyright 1992 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., New York, New York 10017.

(e)(1) Table 1 to § 1.1310(e)(1) sets forth limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Table 1 to § 1.1310(e)(1)—Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
Frequency range (MHz)	Electric field strength (V/m)	Magnetic field strength (A/m)	Power density (mW/cm²)	Averaging time (minutes)
(i) Limits for Occupational/Controlled Exposure
0.3-3.0	614	1.63	*(100)	≤6
3.0-30	1842/f	4.89/f	*(900/f²)	<6
30-300	61.4	0.163	1.0	<6
300-1,500			f/300	<6
1,500-100,000			5	<6
(ii) Limits for General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure
0.3-1.34	614	1.63	*(100)	<30
1.34-30	824/f	2.19/f	*(180/f²)	<30
30-300	27.5	0.073	0.2	<30
300-1,500			f/1500	<30
1,500-100,000			1.0	<30
f = frequency in MHz. * = Plane-wave equivalent power density.

(2) Occupational/controlled exposure limits apply in situations in which persons are exposed as a consequence of their employment provided those persons are fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure. The phrase fully aware in the context of applying these exposure limits means that an exposed person has received written and/or verbal information fully explaining the potential for RF exposure resulting from his or her employment. With the exception of transient persons, this phrase also means that an exposed person has received appropriate training regarding work practices relating to controlling or mitigating his or her exposure. In situations when an untrained person is transient through a location where occupational/controlled limits apply, he or she must be made aware of the potential for exposure and be supervised by trained personnel pursuant to § 1.1307(b)(2) of this part where use of time averaging is required to ensure compliance with the general population exposure limit. The phrase exercise control means that an exposed person is allowed and also knows how to reduce or avoid exposure by administrative or engineering work practices, such as use of personal protective equipment or time averaging of exposure.

(3) General population/uncontrolled exposure limits apply in situations in which the general public may be exposed, or in which persons who are exposed as a consequence of their employment may not be fully aware of the potential for exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure. For example, RF sources intended for consumer use shall be subject to the limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure in this section.

[85 FR 18145, Apr. 1, 2020]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 13 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2003–2026 · leading case: Santa Fe All. v. City of Santa Fe, 993 F.3d 802 (10th Cir. 2021).

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Santa Fe All. v. City of Santa Fe, 993 F.3d 802 (10th Cir. 2021). · cites it 3× “47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 . Recognizing that some localities might resist or subvert the limitation placed on their ability to regulate radio-frequency emissions, the TCA requires that a locality’s denial of a telecommunications company’s request to construct a telecommunications…”

City of Portland v. United States, 969 F.3d 1020 (9th Cir. 2020). “56 (1996); 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 . In the Telecommunications Act, Congress preempted all municipal regulation of radiofrequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with federal emissions standards.”

Env't Health Trust v. FCC, 9 F.4th 893 (D.C. Cir. 2021). “See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 (c). Accordingly, it is uncertain how many, if RF-EMF found improvements in working memory performance.”

Kennedy v. Upper Milford Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd., 834 A.2d 1104 (Pa. 2003). “Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits are codified at 47 CFR § 1.1310 . Local regulation is prohibited only "to the extent that such facilities comply with” these regulations.”

Andrew Cohen v. Apple Inc., 46 F.4th 1012 (9th Cir. 2022). “” In turn, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 (c) provides: “The SAR limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure are 0.”

New York SMSA Ltd. P'ship v. Town of Clarkstown, 603 F. Supp. 2d 715 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). “See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 . Applications to the FCC for, inter alia, construction permits, licenses to transmit, and equipment authorizations typically must be accompanied by a statement, and supporting technical information, confirming compliance with the FCC’s exposure limits.”

Stanley v. Amalithone Realty, Inc., 94 A.D.3d 140 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012). “The FCC, pursuant to its regulatory authority, has set forth maximum permissible exposure limits for RF radiation (see 47 CFR 1.1310). Plaintiffs allege that high levels of RF emissions, measuring 30,000 microwatts per square meter, were found in various areas of their apartment.”

Matter of Bd. of Mgrs. of Westage Towers E. Condo. v. Plan. Bd. of the City of White Plains, 2026 NY Slip Op 03303 (N.Y. App. Div. 2026). · cites it 4× “The FCC's limits on "General population/uncontrolled exposure" for RF emissions "apply in situations in which the general public may be exposed" (47 CFR 1.1310[e][3]). Here, the Planning Board's determination had a rational basis, was not illegal, and was neither arbitrary nor…”

Kennedy v. Upper Milford Tp. Zhb, 834 A.2d 1104 (Pa. 2003). “Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits are codified at 47 CFR § 1.1310 . Local regulation is prohibited only "to the extent that such facilities comply with" these regulations.”

Alega Pres. Inst. v. AST Telecomm LLC (D. Haw. 2021). “1307 (b)(1)(i), “a licensee must evaluate the human exposure level from the RF source” and “[i]f the human exposure level exceeds limits set forth in 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 , the licensee must prepare an environmental assessment, id.”

Extenet Sys., Inc. v. The Twp. of North Bergen, New Jerseys. (D.N.J. 2022). “”); 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 (a) (promulgating standards “to evaluate the environmental impact of human exposure to [RF] radiation”).”

Santa Fe All. for Pub. Health & Saf. v. City of Santa Fe (D.N.M. 2020). “3d at 90 (explaining FCC promulgated RF exposure limits in 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310 , Table 1 and “is the entity with the express authority to regulate acceptable RF emissions levels for cellular tower facilities”); Abraham, 2018 WL 2304779 , at *8 (explaining “Congress intended the…”

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