San Francisco lawmakers say that just because you are wireless you shouldn’t be worry-less. There’s a new law in the city by the bay that requires cell phone sellers to show the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of electromagnetic radiation for each cell phone model. This act has reignited public concern about radiation from cell phones and the possible affects of their prolonged use.
The cell phone industry has sued the city of San Francisco to stop the law saying there is no scientific evidence linking cell phone radiation to an increase in health problems. “Peer-reviewed scientific evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that wireless devices do not pose a public health risk,” the international wireless industry association CTIA told Time magazine last Fall. “I am disappointed that the…wireless communication industry has decided to challenge our landmark consumer information law in court,” says San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom.
Technology Website CNET.com notes different studies on cell phone radiation have reached contradictory conclusions. “Though some tests have suggested a link between long-term (10 years or longer) cell phone use and cancer, there still is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that cell phones cause or don’t cause adverse health effects in humans,” says CNET.
The FCC requires handset makers to restrict devices to a SAR of 1.6 watts per kilogram. CTIA defines SAR as “a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body.” Of the top ten highest emitting handsets, Motorola has five models followed by three Blackberry phones. All of the top ten have a SAR of 1.53 or higher.
Apple iPhones vary from .79 to 1.38 depending on the model. The Motorloa Droid is 1.49.
CNET suggests the best way to protect yourself from the ill defined danger is to text more and talk less. “Use a speakerphone whenever possible, and carry your phone at least one inch from your body.” There may be increased risk of cell phone usage in areas with poor coverage because more radiation is emitted while searching for a signal. “Children, which have smaller and thinner skulls, should limit cell phone use, and all users, children and adults, should not sleep with an active phone next to their bedside or under their pillow,” CNET suggests.
And if you are feeling smug with your Blue Tooth earbud stuffed in your head, here’s a warning that will wipe that grin off your face. “Studies have shown that radio signals tend to follow up wired headsets to the ear, and even though Bluetooth headsets emit far weaker radiation than cell phones, there’s still a small amount being transmitted.”
Sources: CNET, Time, Ars Technica
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WinstonCourt says:
Everyone does realize that the frequencies of radio waves which are used by cell phones have many of the same qualities as those frequencies of radio waves your microwave oven uses, right? And, among those qualities is the quality to cook food, or specifically meat! Although the power levels that phones emit are only a small fraction of the power levels used in microwave ovens, I would personally consider it nice to know the levels the phones are emitting. And, yes, those levels might influence my purchases of phones.
One example would be, in the city with easy access to cell towers, why not go with the lowest possible emission levels and worry about my health. However, if I lived in a remote location I would have to accept higher levels and use a bluetooth device to keep the phone away. But yes, I think the cell makers should have the radiation levels available for their phones. If not a sticker right on the phone, then the phones documentation should contain these specifications. And, there should be standards in play, so one phone can be compared against another in a meaningful way. As, I would highly suspect that cell manufacturers would want to play games with these figures. But, figure it out for yourself. The cost of cell phone manufacturers to provide this data would amount to a penny or two per phone, so why are they so loath to provide the data? And, yes, I do know there are federal regulations which set allowable levels.
Having been involved in industries utilizing various levels of radio frequencies in the microwave bands, I am also aware that these levels of radiation allowed are MUCH TOO HIGH, in my opinion. Using a bluetooth device exposes you to only, about, 1/10 of the radiation of a cell phone held against the head. And, a wired headset would drastically lower your exposure.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am
meryl says:
Late last fall, Rivertown Film co-sponsored a documentary by an Israeli filmmaker at Nyack Center titled “Full Signal Movie.” The subject was the result of institutional research that is currently being carried out in Europe about harmful radiation emanating from cell phone towers and from the phones themselves. The film’s website is: http://fullsignalmovie.com
It was clear that the US is not involved in the kind of research that would let its citizens know where they stand in terms of their health as they live under the shadow of cell towers and also seem to live on their cell phones.
July 26th, 2010 at 5:31 pm