SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate, which is the unit of measurement for the amount of RF energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone. The SAR is determined at the highest certified power level in laboratory conditions. However, the actual SAR level of the phone while operating can be well below this value. This is because the phone is designed to use the minimum power required to reach the network. Therefore, the closer you are to a base station, the more likely it is that the actual SAR level will be lower.
Does a lower SAR mean that a phone is safer?
No. Variations in SAR do not mean that there are variations in safety. While there may be differences in SAR levels among phone models, all mobile phones must meet RF exposure guidelines.
What about "radiation" from mobile phones and base stations?
Mobile phones and base stations use radio waves (electromagnetic fields or non-ionizing radiation) to send and receive speech, text messages, pictures and other data. Radio waves have for long been used for different types of wireless communication, like for instance radio and TV broadcasting. It is important not to confuse radio waves with radioactive radiation. An example of radioactive radiation is gamma rays, a type of ionizing radiation generated by nuclear materials.
Are there any safety limits on human exposure to radio waves?
Yes, there are safety limits on exposure to radio waves. International and national health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have adopted science-based safety guidelines specifying radio wave exposure limits. The limits have been set with wide margins to provide protection from established adverse effects on health.
Personal handsfree devices or headsets are designed for convenient, handsfree operation of the phone and not for safety reasons. Nevertheless, the results of tests over the years indicate that hands-free devices can significantly reduce the radio wave exposure of the head.
