Editorials
Mobile Phone Radiation – How to Reduce Exposure? Facts, Top SAR Smartphones

Mobile Radiation!
What is Mobile Phone Radiation? How does the Phone emit energy?
Mobile phone radiation is a type of non-ionizing radiation that cell phones emit when in use. This radiation is in the radiofrequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum and is different from other types of radiation, such as x-rays, that are known to be harmful. The human body absorbs energy from devices that emit radiofrequency radiation, and the only consistently recognized biological effect of radiofrequency radiation absorption in humans that the general public might encounter is heating to the area of the body where a cell phone is held. Most people these days are addicted to smartphones & hence its important to read these facts.
Cell phones use radiofrequency radiation (RF) to send signals. The RF energy emitted by cell phones is low-level and non-ionizing, and the available scientific data on exposure to radiofrequency energy show no categorical proof of any adverse biological effects other than tissue heating. Public health data show no association between exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phone use and health problems. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF radiation as a “possible human carcinogen”.
To reduce radiofrequency radiation near your body, the CDC recommends getting a hands-free headset that connects directly to your phone, using speaker-phone more often, and keeping the phone away from your body when it is not in use. The FDA also recommends using a hands-free device and reducing the amount of time spent on the phone.
What are the effects of mobile phone radiation on the human body?
There is no conclusive or convincing evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term. However, there are concerns that the low levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by mobile phones could cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumors. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified RF radiation as possibly carcinogenic for humans.
Studies have found links between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to everything from minor health concerns such as headaches and skin rashes to more severe health issues such as cancer. However, the RF waves given off by cell phones don’t have enough energy to damage DNA directly or to heat body tissues, so it’s not clear how cell phones might be able to cause cancer. The only consistently recognized biological effect of RF radiation absorption in humans that the general public might encounter is heating to the area of the body where a cell phone is held (e.g., the ear).
It is important to understand the risks and possible effects of mobile phone use, and make up your own mind about how you use your mobile phone. If you are concerned, you can reduce your exposure to RF radiation by using a hands-free device and reducing the amount of time spent on the phone.
How does the amount of radiation emitted by different phone models compare?
Different phone models emit different amounts of radiation. Here are some findings from the search results:
- The Council of the European Union has set radiation standards for cell phones at 2 watts per kilogram, measured over the 10 grams of tissue that absorbs the most radiation.
- The German Federal Office of Radiation Protection has collected data on the radiation emissions of some popular smartphones in the market today.
- The Motorola Edge has the highest radiation emission with a specific absorption rate (SAR) value of 1.79 watts of radiation per kilogram.
- The following are the 10 smartphones that emit the highest level of radiation, according to the German Federal Office of Radiation Protection: Motorola Edge, Xiaomi Mi A1, OnePlus 5T, Xiaomi Mi Max 3, OnePlus 6T, HTC U12 Life, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, Google Pixel 3 XL, OnePlus 7T, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.
- CNET has tracked the SAR of every handset that they review. They have updated their lists of the 20 phones with the lowest SAR levels and the 20 phones with highest SAR levels. For a phone to pass FCC certification and be sold in the United States, its maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram.
- Better Health Channel states that there is no conclusive or convincing evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term.
- The human body absorbs energy from devices that emit radiofrequency radiation, and the only consistently recognized biological effect of radiofrequency radiation absorption in humans that the general public might encounter is heating to the area of the body where a cell phone is held (e.g., the ear).
Overall, while there are differences in the amount of radiation emitted by different phone models, there is no conclusive evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term.
What is the specific absorption rate (SAR) and how is it measured?
Specific absorption rate (SAR) is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed per unit mass by a human body when exposed to a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field. It is commonly used to measure power absorbed from mobile phones and during MRI scans. SAR measures exposure to fields between 100 kHz and 10 GHz (known as radio waves). The value will depend heavily on the geometry of the part of the body that is exposed to the RF energy, and on the exact location.
SAR is measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg). The measurement is done by placing a phantom, which is a model of the human head or body, filled with liquid that simulates human tissue, next to a mobile phone. The phone is then set to its maximum power level and operated in various positions relative to the phantom. The SAR is calculated based on the amount of energy absorbed by the phantom.
SAR testing must be done on all wireless devices to ensure that they comply with the safety standards set by regulatory bodies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a maximum SAR level of 1.6 W/kg for cell phones sold in the United States. The European Union has set a SAR limit of 2 W/kg, measured over the 10 grams of tissue that absorbs the most radiation.
What are the SAR limits set by different regulatory bodies
Different regulatory bodies have set different SAR limits for radiofrequency radiation exposure. Here are some findings from the search results:
– In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is an SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg) for general population/uncontrolled exposure, 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).
– In Canada, mobile devices must meet a limit of 1.6 W/kg measured from 1g tissue volume.
– In the European Union, a device’s SAR limit cannot exceed 2.0 W/kg measured from 10g tissue volume.
– 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), according to the FCC.
– 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), according to the FCC.
– The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has set SAR limits for MRI scans. The whole-body limit is 4 W/kg for environmental temperature being ≤ 25ºC.
– The SAR limits for MRI scans vary depending on the country and the type of scan.
Overall, SAR exposure limits vary from country to country and depend on the type of exposure (general population/uncontrolled or occupational/controlled).
How do SAR limits for occupational exposure differ from those for general population exposure?
The SAR limits for occupational exposure differ from those for general population exposure. Here are some findings from the search results:
– 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), according to the FCC.
– 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), according to the FCC.
– Most standards require that exposures be kept at or below one-tenth of the observed threshold SAR (0.4 W/kg) for occupational exposure.
– The recommended limits for the general population are typically much lower than those for occupational exposure.
– The applicability of occupational limits requires that a person be fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over that exposure.
Overall, SAR limits for occupational exposure are higher than those for general population exposure, but they still need to be kept at or below a certain threshold to ensure safety. The applicability of occupational limits requires that a person be fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over that exposure.
What is possible human carcinogen in regards to Mobile Radiation?
Possible human carcinogen refers to a substance or agent that may cause cancer in humans, but there is not enough evidence to prove it yet. Here are some findings from the search results:
– The World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) advised that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone and other wireless devices constitutes a “possible human carcinogen,” 2B.
– In May 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified RF radiation as possibly carcinogenic for humans.
– The American Cancer Society states that the RF waves given off by cell phones don’t have enough energy to damage DNA directly or to heat body tissues. Because of this, it’s not clear how cell phones might be able to cause cancer.
– RF radiation was classified as Group 2B, a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
Overall, there is not enough evidence to prove that mobile radiation is a definite human carcinogen. However, some organizations have classified it as a possible human carcinogen based on an increased risk for cancer.
How to reduce exposure to mobile phone radiation?
Here are some ways to reduce exposure to mobile phone radiation:
– Increase the distance between your mobile phone and your head or body. You can do this by using a wired earpiece or speakerphone.
– Reduce the amount of time spent using your cell phone.
– Use speaker mode, headphones, or earbuds to place more distance between your head and the cell phone.
– Avoid making calls when the signal is weak as this causes cell phones to boost RF transmission power.
– Keep the phone away from your head and body while talking on your cell phone.
– Use text messaging instead of voice calls.
– Use a landline phone instead of a mobile phone when possible.
– Turn off your mobile phone when you are not using it.
– Avoid using your cell phone inside spaces that are surrounded by metal like a car, elevator, bus, train, or airplane.
– Do not rest your phone on your lap, especially near the abdomen, as this results in higher radiation absorption to the reproductive organs.
Overall, reducing exposure to mobile phone radiation involves increasing the distance between your phone and your body, reducing the amount of time spent using your phone, and using alternative communication methods when possible.
Here are some alternative ways to make phone calls that reduce RF exposure:
– Use speaker mode, headphones, or earbuds to place more distance between your head and the cell phone.
– Use a wired earpiece.
– Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and data.
– Use Apple CarPlay when driving.
– Text instead of making voice calls.
– Don’t make calls when the signal is weak as this causes cell phones to boost RF transmission power.
– Carry the phone away from your body.
– Use speakerphone or a headset.
Overall, using speaker mode, headphones, or earbuds, turning off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and data, and texting instead of making voice calls are some alternative ways to make phone calls that reduce RF exposure.
How effective are phone cases that claim to reduce RF exposure?
There is no conclusive evidence that phone cases claiming to reduce RF exposure are effective. Here are some findings from the search results:
– The FDA states that manufacturers of certain cell phone accessories may claim that an accessory shields the user from emissions or prevents health problems caused by radio frequency radiation. The FDA does not regulate such products and, given the weight of scientific evidence to show that cell phones are safe for use, the Agency considers these claims to be bogus. Studies have shown that these products generally do not work as advertised and may interfere with proper operation of the phone.
– Some phone cases do block a significant amount of radiation, but studies have shown that these products generally do not work as advertised and may interfere with proper operation of the phone.
– A new EWG analysis of data submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by one manufacturer shows that some cases on the market are so poorly engineered that they actually intensify the radiation that strikes a user’s head and body.
Overall, there is no conclusive evidence that phone cases claiming to reduce RF exposure are effective. Studies have shown that these products generally do not work as advertised and may interfere with proper operation of the phone.