How to Minimise Cell Phone Radiation Absorption
In addition to the steps that you can take in order to minimise the amount of radiation emitted by your cell phone, you can also ensure that you absorb as little of that radiation as is possible.
Minimising the proportion of the radiation from your cell phone that you will absorb begins with your choice of phone. The proportion of the radiation emitted that is aborbed into the brain is different for different phones. The measure of how much radiation is absorbed is the Specific Absorption Rate or SAR. Legally, all cell phones must now have their SAR stated on their packaging. In America the safe limit has been set at 1.6W/kg, while in Europe and Japan, it has been set at 2W/kg. Most phones are well within this standard, but the lower the SAR the safer a phone is. When buying a phone, you can check its SAR, and by buying a phone with a low SAR you can reduce the dangers of using it.
Another way that you can reduce the risks associated with cell phone use is by holding your phone at a slight distance from your head. The quantity of radiation absorbed by the brain is indirectly proportional to the distance from the phone to the head squared. This means that as the distance between your phone antenna and your head doubles, the quantity of radiation that you absorb will quarter. So again, by holding your phone slightly further away from your head, you can minimise your exposure to radiation.
Most cell phones have an antenna positioned at the top on the back of the phone. The efficiency of the antenna will be reduced if the antenna or the case close to the antenna is held, causing the phone to use more energy and so emit more radiation. There is also scientific debate as to whether the hand reflects further energy back into the head. You should therefore hold your phone as close to its base as possible, maximising the efficiency of the antenna and so minimising the energy absorbed in the head and hand, and avoiding reflecting radiation off your hand and back into your head.
For a summary of these tips see our Five Steps to Safer Cell Phone Use guide. Also see our Cell Phone Safety Products section for explanations of the benefits, dangers, and limitations of hands free kits and radiation shields.
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