TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Do You Know Your Cell Phone's SAR?
by
HL Carpenter

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) is the unit of measurement for the amount of Radio Frequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone.

Cell phones are a great convenience. In today’s upwardly mobile societies most of us have one. But how do they work? And are they safe?

Cell phone basics. As you speak into your cellular phone, the sound of your voice is converted into radio waves or radio frequency (RF) energy. Your body absorbs this RF energy. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a unit of measurement used to calculate the absorption rate.

How much is too much? Research is inconclusive. But according to released data, low grade and short-term exposure to radio frequency energy from wireless telephones does not appear to cause health problems.

Nonetheless, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a safety standard for the head and neck area of cell phone users at 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg) in terms of SAR for phones sold in the United States.

To find out if your phone complies with the standard (it should), note the FCC identification number printed on the case or under the battery pack. Then go to the FCC web site (http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/) to determine your phone’s SAR.

A caution: Long term exposure has not yet been fully evaluated. As a safety measure, you might want to limit the time you and your family spends on cell phones.

Originally published July 2005.

Last update: January 8, 2011