If you think your cell phone’s low SAR rating will keep you safe from your phone’s radio frequency/microwave radiation, think again. Several studies have shown that even low-intensity radiation, up to 200,000 lower than existing safety standards, produces biological effects.
What is SAR, anyway?
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure of the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone. The FCC has adopted limits for safe exposure to radio frequency and requires cell phone manufacturers to ensure that their phones comply. Any cell phone at or below these SAR levels (that is, any phone legally sold in the U.S.) is a “safe” phone, as measured by these standards. The FCC limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is an SAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg). (You can request your cell phone’s SAR information from the manufacturer or your carrier.)
When radio frequency energy impinges upon your body tissue, part of it is absorbed and converted to heat due to ionic conduction. This heat manifests itself as a temperature increase inside the tissue. Earlier on the government and the industry have come to the conclusion that if this heating is below a certain level, then the radiation level is safe.
Biological Effects from Low Exposure
But several laboratory studies show that nonthermal (non-heating) effects, including those occurring at levels way below the current SAR standards, can be dangerous. During the past several years three out of four independent (non-industry sponsored) research studies worldwide have been showing these nonthermal effects, which include:
– DNA damage and nonrepair
– breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (allowing chemical toxins and pathogens to reach the brain)
– lowered immunity
– decreased melatonin levels
– effects on stress proteins (indicating cell damage)
– formation of micronuclei (aberrations in cell nuclei which are often markers for cancer)
– changes in calcium metabolism affecting communication between cells
– changes in brainwave patterns as seen on EEG’s
– plus effects observed on many different systems of the body.
Researchers are cautious in drawing any conclusions that these effects are directly linked to major health problems like cancer and neurological conditions. They are, however, plausible precursors to such conditions, and some evidence suggests there may be an association. Even conservative researchers who have looked into these nonthermal effects express concern that this radiation is a “probable” cause of health problems.
Given that bioeffects have been seen in exposures as low as 0.000021 W/Kg (Kwee study on Changes in cell cycle and cell proliferation, 1997) when the FCC limit is 1.6 W/Kg, the safety guidelines need to be re-evaluated. Some scientists, for instance, are calling for a new measure that would indicate the total energy absorbed by a tissue, not just the radio frequency energy as it is with SAR.
Filling the Gap
In the meantime, what do you, as the consumer, do? If the whole tobacco controversy was any indication, it could take several more years before there develops any clear consensus about this issue. The everyday cell phone user cannot afford to wait. Every time you make a call with your cell phone, radio frequency waves penetrate into your head and potentially put your health at risk.
To address concerns of the public becoming more aware of such dangers, there has grown a market to fill the need for protective solutions. Promising new technologies that have passed scientific testing are proven to be effective in preventing biological stress caused by electromagnetic frequencies. Scientists and health professionals concerned about public health recommend these scientifically validated devices and you ought it to yourself to investigate them.
It took two decades of study, 100 years of consumer use, and untold millions of casualties before the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning label was placed on cigarette packs. A time will come when the government becomes satisfied with the voluminous data it needs to establish the health risks of cell phone use and set new safety standards. Until then, make sure you do not become a number in the statistics. Don’t wait.
© copyright 2005 Taraka Serrano
Taraka Serrano is a health advocate associated with BIOPRO Technology, a company that provides electromagnetic field (EMF) protection solutions. For more information about the health dangers of EMF exposure and to find out how you can protect yourself and your family, watch the special video report: “The Invisible Dangers of EMF Radiation” at: BIOPRO EMF Protection
Filed under Cell Phones by on Apr 30th, 2009. Comment. 
Last week at the coffee shop I met my friend Susie; a woman who some years back could barely operate the VCR and the remote control on her TV. But, my friend’s come a long ways. Now, instead of being a customer service representative for the phone company, she has her own business fixing up houses before owners put them on the market for sale. The business is doing quite well too. Our of a sheer necessity to keep in touch with her clients and manage all the appointments Susie confessed to me over a double latte that she went “techno”, she had to, and even worse for her to admit she liked it. In fact, Susie bragged so much about using the PDA with her cell phone, that at first I thought she meant the other kind of PDA, the one known as a public display of affection. Of course when I teased Susie about that, she admonished me and told me to get my mind out of the gutter.
Susie explained how fast cable surfing was and again I thought she meant something else other than technical version, so I launched into a story about body surfing and winding up stuck in some rip tide and getting so tired my arms and legs felt like they’d gone swimming in a washing machine. Of course Susie laughed and the little dimple on the side of her cheek flared, then she got this serious look on her face and said, “I mean my PDA talks to my Cell Phone.”
“Oh,” I feigned dumb, “What do you mean,” curious if she really knew what she was talking about, but she did.
Susie told me with her Pocket PC she could surf the net at broadband speeds and that it is all possible because of a small cable attached to her cell phone. Using the web browser she checks out movie listings, the weather, road conditions, restaurants and more. I tried to do the same thing on my own cell phone, but the web pages took to long to load and I lost patience.
She mentioned how she went to the website Gomadic (www.gomadic.com) and ordered their Wireless Internet Cable, which matched her LG5350 cell phone to her HP iPAQ 5555 Pocket PC and spent all of $39.95, plus $9.95 for an Add-on Laptop Adapter, which is less than Susie, spends on her monthly mocha latte allotment. Susie liked the fact that Gomadic offers a lifetime warranty on their products and offers a cable exchange program. Plus, if you end up getting a new cell phone or a Pocket PC and require a different cable, all that’s required is for you to ship back the old cable and Gomadic will send you a new cable for free. Susie said, “They believe in service and for them it’s not some dying dinosaur.” That’s my gal, always one to spin the sarcasm yarn when it’s well deserved.
I asked Susie how tough it was to hook up and she snapped her fingers. I said, “That quick”, and she said, “Yep”. She explained how the Wireless Internet Cable is comprised of three components: a cable connecting to the cell phone, a different cable that connects the Pocket PC, and what’s known as the patented “ComQube” adapter, which connects the two cables. Instead of creating one cable for each possible Pocket PC/cell phone combination Gomadic uses the ComQube technology to create an interchangeable cable system.
A benefit, which I told Susie which she didn’t know is that Gomadic cables do not require the installation of additional software drivers in order to work. Of course, I’m the “techo guy” as Susie calls me and I did test it out; Gomadic’s cable worked just fine on an HP iPAQ h5555 Pocket PC running Windows Mobile 2003, an iPAQ h5455 running Pocket PC 2002, a Sony PCG-SRX77P laptop PC running Windows XP Professional, and a dell Inspirion 8000 laptop running Windows 2000 Professional.
“The thing to remember,” Susie said while sipping the last of her mocha latte which she said in a serious tone, “Is that all your devices have to be configured properly.” I laughed and she asked, “What’s so funny?” I told her I love it when she talks techie, that’s its real sexy.” Susie rolled her and said, “Enough lattes for you buddy.”
Copyright © Rene Tse has covered the cell phone industry for more than six years, writing on a wide range topics such as:
TMobile Wireless, which carrier will approve you based on your credit standing to qualify for a
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Filed under Cell Phones by on Apr 27th, 2009. Comment.
The cell phone is indispensable to our modern lives, but used in the wrong place at the wrong time it can be rude and offensive. Some municipalities have warnings posted in libraries, concert halls, and movie theatres; these are often known as cell free zones. Be courteous and observe these posted signs.
Remember, being considerate of those around you is a part of every day life. It doesn’t stop just because there is no posted sign about cell phone use. Let’s say you are at Starbuck’s when the phone rings. Ask yourself when your spouse or significant other calls if, for instance, the whole coffee shop needs to hear your conversation. As you think about the answer remember privacy is not a bad word. You can take this same conversation into your car where no one else can hear the conversation, or you can take it outside away from prying ears. This is the courteous thing to do. Besides, when we talk to our loved ones human emotions can come into play. Whether we realize it or not a raised voice often reflects our emotions. The more animated the conversation gets the more chance you risk of offending someone.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Taking care of your business needs on the phone is not a license to be rude. For example, what happens if you get an important call from an executive while you are in line to buy some pants at a department store? You want to take the call, right? If you can see the feet of the person next to you and they are in toe stepping range you are not in a private place. Also, be aware that if provoked those very feet could be a weapon.
Let’s say you take the call anyways. The stranger, who is also in line to buy a pair of pants, might think you have in effect stepped on their toes. All they wanted to do was purchase their pants, not witness a private conversation. By being oblivious you inadvertently put yourself at risk for a confrontation.
The grocery store is no exception. If you’re like most people you go to the grocery store only to forget an important item on your list. So you make a call and find out whether you are supposed to get some vegetable or staple. This needed piece of information you learn about in a 20 second conversation. Unfortunately, while you’re on the phone a few people glance over at you and give you a dirty look. You ignore their facial expressions as you hear about a loved one’s visit to the doctor. You just demonstrated rude behavior. It doesn’t matter if the information the other party is sharing is important. You still missed your P’s and Q’s. You offended someone by being on the phone. If you choose to ignore them you risk an altercation. There are increasing incidences of cell phone rage. You don’t know what a stranger is capable of doing. The smart thing to do is end the call and move away from the offensive party.
Next time you enter a store or a public place look around and figure out a good place to take a call. With a little thoughtful consideration towards others you can have proper cell phone etiquette and still take care of business on the phone when the need arises. Also, before going into a public place you might consider putting your phone on vibrator mode that way when a call comes in you’ll know about it without omitting electronic bells and whistles.
Copyright © Rene Tse, the founder and president of the website: Free cellular Phone Deals. Rene has been writing about cell phone editquette since buying her first cell phone back in the Jurassic age. Since then, Rene has written hundreds of articles
on which :
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Learn more about what other mobile phone subscribers are saying about their cell phone service experience with the various wireless providers.
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Filed under Cell Phones by on Apr 24th, 2009. Comment.