Cellphone Radiation: Reduce the Risks

[h1]Cell Phone Risks[/h1]

Should you be concerned about the radiation produced by your cell phone? It’s a question that resurfaces in the mainstream media at least once every year, and with good reason: no one wants cancer.
Of course, the jury’s still out on whether cell phones pose any kind of danger. Some studies (including, most recently, this one from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer say yes, others say no.

But here’s the thing: if there’s even a possibility of danger, aren’t we better safe than sorry? Heck, I wear a seatbelt in the car because of the possibility of a crash, even though not all crashes are fatal.

There are no seatbelts for cell phones, of course, but it’s still pretty easy to virtually eliminate cell phone radiation risks. Here are three effective solutions:

Use a corded cell phone headset.
Use a Bluetooth headset.
Use your cell phone speakerphone.
Use a Bluetooth Desktop Phone like HERE.

My preference continues to be number 1. Corded cell phone headsets for your cell phone are dirt-cheap (meaning you can buy one for your car, another for your office, a third for your coat pocket, and so on) but produce the best overall sound quality.

What it all means

The cell phone SAR rating, or its Specific Absorption Rate, is a measure of the amount of radio frequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when using your cell phone handset. All cell phones emit RF energy and the SAR varies by cell phone model.

For a cell phone to receive FCC certification and be sold in the United States, its maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. In Europe, the level is capped at 2 watts per kilogram, while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6 watts per kilogram.

The SAR level listed in our charts represents the highest SAR level measured with the cell phone next to the ear as tested by the Federal Communications Commission. Keep in mind that it is possible for the SAR level to vary between different transmission bands (the same cell phone can use multiple bands during a call), and that different testing bodies can obtain different results. Also, it’s possible for results to vary between different models of the same cell phone–as in the case of a handset that’s offered by multiple carriers.

What do you think? Is cell phone radiation a concern? If so, are you doing anything about it? Let me know your thoughts.

Prowireless has compiled a list of common cell phones
and their SAR ratings for your info below.*

Mobile Cell Phone	Sar Ratings	Mobile Cell Phone	Sar Ratings
BlackBerry Bold 9700	1.550	BlackBerry Storm 9500	0.570
BlackBerry Storm2 9520	0.970	BlackBerry Torch 9800	0.910
BlackBerry Curve 8900	1.010	BlackBerry Bold 9000	1.510
BlackBerry Curve 8900	1.010	BlackBerry Bold 9000	1.510
Apple iPhone 3GS	1.190	Apple iPhone 4	1.190
Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G	1.190	Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G	1.190
Apple iPhone 3G	1.290	HTC Legend	0.450
HTC Google Nexus One	429	HTC Touch HD	1.020
HTC Desire HD	1.480	HTC Desire	1.480
Samsung I9000 Galaxy S	0.422	Nokia E71	1.090
Nokia N8	1.090	Nokia N97	1.250

Have another type of cell phone? Search for your cell phone here

It’s important to note that in publishing this list of popular cell phone models, we are in no way implying that cell phone use is harmful to your health. Research abounds, but there still is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence as to whether a cell phone can cause adverse health effects in humans. While some studies have found a possible link between long-term (10 years or longer) cell phone use and brain tumors, decreased sperm count, and other ailments, other research has found no such effects. The science will continue, and we will continue to monitor the results, but it can take years of exhaustive research before studies actually prove anything (if they ever do).

*List compiled from cell phone radiation ratings.com

[h2]Cell phone SAR risks[/h2]