They are everywhere! Even little kids who cannot properly speak are busy playing mobile games. Smartphones have very smartly entered our lives and reserved a place. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that we are hooked to them as if our life depended on them. And true enough, they have made our life so much convenient.
But that’s not what we are going to talk about now. We have been very conveniently ignoring the health hazards of using smartphones. Cell phones emit radio frequency waves via their antennas. Now, these radiations can be absorbed by our bodies and pose some serious health risks. There has been a considerable debate surrounding the safety levels of these devices and whether or not they can pose a tumour risk in neck and head areas. Regardless of whether it does or doesn’t, there are certain radiation levels prescribed that smartphone markers must adhere to.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has specified limits on the radiations emitted by smartphones. All the smartphones sold in the US market must adhere to SAR or Specific Absorption Rate. SAR is described as the rate at which your body can absorb radiation from a cell phone when being held close to the body.
SAR “safe” limits
Various regulatory bodies around the world have set “safe” limits on the SAR measurements. As per US Federal Communications Community, radio frequency exposure is limited to a SAR value of 1.6 watts/kilogram over 1 gram/tissue.
This limit is higher in Europe. It is limited to a SAR value of 2 watts/kilogram over 10 grams/tissue. At the same time, different body parts absorb radiation at different levels. For example, your ear will likely get more radiation than rest of the body.
Smartphones with Maximum Radiation
Motorola Droid Maxx
SAR: 1.54
Motorola Droid Ultra
SAR: 1.54
Motorola Moto E
SAR: 1.5
Alcatel One Touch Evolve
SAR: 1.49
Huawei Vitria
SAR: 1.49
It should be noted that while SAR value does give an idea of the amount of radiation emitted from a cellphone, it doesn’t provide the total amount of radiation. SAR values are only meant to ensure that the total radiation doesn’t exceed the specified limits and pose risk to the user. However, it is advisable to opt for a smartphone with lower SAR levels.
Some Precautions to Consider
There is a town called Green Bank in West Virginia where mobile phones are banned. If you are concerned about the radiation from your mobile phone, you may consider moving there (OK, maybe not!). However, there are certain precautions you can take in order to minimize your exposure to radio frequency waves from your smart phone.
· Avoid putting the phone directly to your ear. Try using headsets next time when you get a call.
· Text more, call less. Call only when it’s important.
· Switch off your phone when sleeping. Or if you are concerned about getting an important call, keep it some distance from where you sleep.
· Avoid using your phone when the signal strength is poor. Your phone emits maximum radiation when it is locating a signal.