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Radiation - top 10 best & worst cell phones
Posted by timethief • 9/15/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: cell phones, radiation levels, sar level, top 10 worst cell phones, top ten best cell phones
Cell phones all have a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which is a way of measuring the amount of radio-frequency energy that is absorbed by the human body. As of 1996, this exposure limit was set by the FCC, and no phone can have a SAR level greater than 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg).
As of 2000, the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) mandated that all cell phone manufacturers disclose radiation levels to consumers by placing a label on the phone. Personally, I have never seen a SAR rating disclosed for cell phones, so if the rating is listed, the manufacturers are certainly not advertising that information.
Samsung dominates when it comes to low radiation levels. The RAZR is also a very popular phone with a low SAR.
Click the link below to discover the list for a list of the top 10 best cell phones and their radiation levels, as well as, the top 10 worst cell phones in terms of radiation.
www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40483
When it comes to cell phone radiation I'm concerned. Figures from the American Cancer Society suggest that 6 out of every 100,000 Americans will be diagnosed with brain cancer every year.
According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), specific absorption rate, or SAR, is "a way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body." For a phone to pass FCC certification, that phone's maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6W/kg (watts per kilogram). In Europe, the level is capped at 2W/kg while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6W/kg.
More concerning still is the radiation of the brains and bodies of children, who have yet to reach their full growth, who are being equipped with cell phones at age 6 and even younger. Children are at higher risk because they have thinner skulls, smaller heads, and their nervous systems are still developing. They have their whole lives before them and before some even make it out of kindergarten they are becoming cell phone users.
Reference: eviews.cnet.com/Cell_phone_radiation/4520-6602_7-5020355-1.html
Also the following Mercola expose' discusses research on cell phones and brain tumors, concluding that:
* There is a risk of brain tumors from cell phone use;
* Telecom funded studies underestimate the risk of brain tumors;
* Children have larger risks than adults for brain tumors.
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/03/Brain-Damage-From-Mo...
Discussion Questions:
(1) Did you find your cell phone on either the top 10 best or top ten worst cell phones for radiation levels?
(2) Do your children have cell phones, and if so, did you find them on either of EWG lists?
(3) Will you consult the EWG online database when you are preparing to purchase your next cell phone?
User Comments
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TT - no link available.-
Sorry - browser crashed. I edited the links in now.
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wrong thread - arrghh! oh well - bump it is
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Wow.Nokia is not listed there.Thank goodness I always do hands free.
Ok here we go:
(1) Did you find your cell phone on either the top 10 best or top ten worst cell phones for radiation levels?
Neither. It's a China Phone which I am also worried.
(2) Do your children have cell phones and if so did your find them on either of EWG lists?
I have changed brands.People in the house still use landlines.
(3) Will you consult the EWG online database when you are preparing to purchase your next cell phone?
I will definitely do that. Until i trade this stuff for something else.-
Thanks for responding. I don't own a cell phone and have no intention of getting one. I'm wondering how many parents had cell phones for their kids on the back to school shopping list.
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The problem here is that kids are given cellphones at an early age. I don't think it is advisable for fifth graders to carry around cell phones. In some countries like mine, owning cellphones (especially smart phones or PDAs) is a symbol of status. The more expensive the better.
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They are status symbols here as well. Worse still is that the parents insist their children need them for safety reasons. I dispute that need. Moreover, the irony of the safety issues involved is evident.
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I think that 'safety reason' is just another excuse so they could abandon their responsibilities and be off somewhere because they are just 'a call or a text away'. In developing countries like mine, these gadgets are magnets to robbers and thieves who will sell them for half a price. Much worse if you let your kids have them. I also saw this TV documentary that cellphones without an antenna are the worse offenders when it comes to SAR.
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You are right about the cell phones without attenas. They have higher SAR rates.
Actually I do think that some parents get a false sense of security when they give their kids cell phones. When the kids clubs and youth groups here made new rules that forbid the use of electronics on site some parents overreacted. Not surprisingly they were parents of the kids who were driving us nuts with their continuous cell phone blabbing and texting when we were trying to conduct group activities. The groups' executive remained firm about the new rule, and the parents who complained still brought their kids to the activities -- free babysitting. I wondered if the electronic gizmos weren't in essence the same thing -- free babysitters.
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That is good info. Thanks.
1.) my phone is not on the list but I use a Samsung so am better off. That is good to know.
2.) No kids with phones yet
3.)I would consider it.-
@tc
I'm glad you have a Samsung and happy to hear you will consult the list before buying a new cell phone.
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FYI, the 'Reference' link above should have been
reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels/
(1) Did you find your cell phone on either the top 10 best or top ten worst cell phones for radiation levels?
No, but I know that my Nokia E51 has a SAR of 1.4 and is thus among the 'bad' ones.
(3) Will you consult the EWG online database when you are preparing to purchase your next cell phone?
Probably, but my requirements as to the other phone specs will most likely win over any radiation concerns. If the phone can do what I want it to do, I'll buy it, regardless of SAR-value. I may be concerned, but not worried.
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