How Safe is Your Cell Phone?

The invasion of digital technology like smartphones and tablets in our lives has not been a gradual process. It came with a bang; it seems like overnight everyone has a cell phone. Being the most popular gadget today, it was a bit of a surprise when all the big wigs in the technology industry turned their heads towards this new device and the market was flooded with cell phones of various types supporting innovative apps, features etc. This gave the users a huge variety of choices according to their preferences. While purchasing a cell phone, a common user tends to go for one that comes with most features at the lowest price tag. However, the crucial factor that most of the users tend to ignore or simply overlook is the safety level of that phone.

With the widespread increase of cell phone usage, it was quite instinctive for the researchers to investigate the health concerns that are posed by radiation emitting from cell phones. Cell phone radiation lies in the microwave region of the radio spectrum. The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) has placed the cell phone in Group 2B, thus marking it as possibly carcinogenic. However, it should be noticed that with proper precaution, cell phones can be used without side effects; especially taking into account the fact that the microwaves emitted from other devices such as home appliances (microwaves, computers, televisions etc.) radiate a much higher level of radiation compared to the cell phone.

The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) gives a measure of radiation absorbed in the human body. The standard SAR for cell phones accepted as being safe for the human body is 1.6 Watt/ kg. It is important for cell phones to comply with this set standard because high radiation levels can be quite dangerous by causing a molecular structural breakdown. It's important to use a cell phone carefully taking precautions to avoid problems with radiation.

Did you know:

1. A pregnant woman should keep cell phones away from the fetus as even low levels radiation could possibly effect her unborn child.

2. One should not carry a cell phone in a front pocket or anywhere near reproductive organs. While research is still being done here, it is possible that the phone could effect the productivity and health of these organs. Remember that cell phones emit radiation even when they are off. It's probably not a great idea to have your phone by your bed at night for the same reason.

3. The ear lobes and other parts of the body next to which the phone is placed are susceptible to a dielectric heating effect. Likewise, the corneas of the eyes are another area effected, especially with cell phones that don't conform to international standards.. Studies have also revealed an increased metabolism rate in the brain tissue which is nearest the antenna of a cell phone. Therefore, talking on your phone for long periods of time is not a good idea. If you are going to have a long conversation, put it on "speaker phone", use headphones or use hands free devices such as Bluetooth so that the phone is not so near to your body.

4. Not all cell phones are created equal. Some have all the bells and whistles while others are very simple. Likewise, some emit more radiation than others. Below is a chart with the various levels of radiation for each brand of phone. Remember that these levels can change with the age of the phone and new models are being created as well.

Currently Samsung, Nokia, HTC etc. are rated manufacturers of the lowest SAR rated cell phones.

The lowest rated cell phones include

· HTC One (SAR=0.68)

· Google Nexus 4 (SAR=0.55)

· Samsung S III (SAR=0.43)

· Samsung Note II (SAR=0.42)

· Samsung Haven (SAR=0.41)

· LG Quantum (SAR=0.35)

· T Mobile Sidekick (SAR=0.34)

· Huawei Ideos X5 (SAR=0.34)

· Samsung Replinish (SAR=0.3)

· Samsung Infuse (SAR=0.2)

The highest SAR rated cell phones include:

· Motorola Bravo (SAR= 1.59)

· Motorola Defy (SAR= 1.57)

· Motorola Droid RAZR (SAR= 1.56)

· HTC Droid DNA (SAR= 1.56)

· HTC Desire (SAR= 1.48)

· Nokia Lumia (SAR= 1.30)

· iPhone5 (SAR= 1.18)  

· iPhone 4S (SAR= 1.11)

Martin Cooper, a Motorola inventor, invented the first mobile phone in 1973.

The SAR rating of every cell phone is mentioned in the manual that comes with your phone and also can be searched online by simply entering the model of your phone. Please share this list with your cell phone talking friends so that they too can minimize that amount of radiation exposure and provide for the next generation to lead happy, healthy lives. Cell phones are here to stay and are indeed getting bigger in size. How many people do you know who have two cell phones or at least a cell and a tablet? Remember to be polite too and not use them in cramped public situations such a concerts or public transportation. You would be exposing other people to the "waves". Lastly, by purchasing only phones with low level emissions it will encourage companies to improve the levels of radiation everyone is exposed to.