What are the SAR values for Samsung’s new smart phones?
What is the manufacturer's recommended minimum
body separation distance?
How should consumers use this information?
Be sure to read the latest
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall
October 10, 2016 (updated Oct 11)
Today the New York Times reported that Samsung has decided to permanently stop producing the Note 7 smartphone due to problems with the replacement phones.
On October 10, the BBC reported that Samsung temporarily stopped production of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone due to reports of replacement phones catching on fire. Several phone companies in the U.S. stopped selling this phone or replacing existing phones.
CNN reported that Samsung issued an alert to all Galaxy Note 7 owners to turn off their phones immediately to prevent fires.
September 15, 2016
Today the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones sold prior to September 15 because the lithium ion battery can overheat and catch fire. Canada and Mexico also issued recalls. Samsung has received 92 reports of batteries overheating in the U.S.
To find out more the recall and whether your cell phone battery is safe, see Samsung's recall notice.
September 2, 2016
Samsung has stopped sales on the Galaxy Note 7 and issued a voluntary recall due to potential battery problems. As of September 1, 35 devices have caught fire when charging. Contact your cell phone company for details about the recall.
SAR Values for Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and Note 7
According to test reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for the Galaxy S7 for cellular transmission is 0.62 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.06 w/kg when worn on the body. The wireless router SAR is 0.55 w/kg at the head. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.40 w/kg at the head, 1.50 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.59 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (1)
For the
Galaxy S7 Edge, the SAR for cellular transmission is 0.64 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.07
w/kg when worn on the body. The wireless router SAR is 1.10 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.56 w/kg when used as a
hotspot. (2)
For the Galaxy Note 7, the SAR for cellular transmission is 0.39 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 0.67 w/kg when worn on the body. The wireless router SAR is 0.85 w/kg at the head. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.24 w/kg at the head, 1.41 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.59 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (2A)
For the Galaxy Note 7, the SAR for cellular transmission is 0.39 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 0.67 w/kg when worn on the body. The wireless router SAR is 0.85 w/kg at the head. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.24 w/kg at the head, 1.41 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.59 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (2A)
All
SARs reported above are averaged over one gram of body tissue
corresponding to the US standard. The SARs may vary depending upon your
specific cell phone carrier (e.g., AT&T = A, Sprint = P, T-Mobile = T, Verizon = V). The SARs for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge can be found at http://bit.ly/galaxy6sar.
The
minimum separation distance for body-worn testing was 15 mm (about 0.6 of an
inch). According to Samsung, "To meet RF exposure guidelines during
body-worn operation, the device should be positioned at least this distance
away from the body."
The SARs for the Apple iPhone
6 and iPhone 6 Plus were
obtained at a separation distance of 5 mm (about 0.2 of an inch) from the body so
the body-worn SAR values are not comparable to those reported for the Samsung phones.
The iPhone SAR values can be found in my article on Apple smart phones.
The FCC ID number for the Galaxy S7 is A3LSMG930US; for the S7 Edge it is A3LSMG935US, and for the S7 Note it is A3LSMN930F. The SAR values for these smart phones can be found on the following FCC website: www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/.
What do
SAR values mean to the consumer?
The
legal limit for the SAR in the U.S. is 1.60 w/kg (averaged over one gram of
tissue).
The FCC
requires that all cell phone models be tested for their Specific Absorption
Rate or SAR. The SAR is a measure of the maximum amount of microwave radiation
absorbed by the head or the body. It is measured in a laboratory using an
artificial model of a large adult male with different fluids to simulate human
tissue. The SAR, which is measured in watts per kilogram, represents the
maximum amount of energy absorbed in any one gram of tissue in the test model.
Phones sold in the U.S. typically range in SAR values from about 0.20 w/kg up
to the 1.60 legal limit. (3, 4)
The SAR
test, adopted in 1996 by the FCC, was criticized by the U.S. Government
Accountability Office in 2012. (5) The test does not reflect those who
currently use cell phones, nor does it correspond to the way people use them.
Today many children are cell phone users -- the child’s brain absorbs twice the
radiation as the adult’s brain. Moreover, the artificial head does not contain
any metal (e.g., dental fillings, earrings, or eyeglass frames) which could
increase the radiation absorption beyond the measured SAR in the laboratory.
(5)
The FCC
assumes that consumers will carry their cell phones in a manufacturer-approved
holder that keeps the phone a minimum distance away from the body. However,
most people do not keep their phone in a cell phone holder. For the body-worn SAR
test, the FCC allows the manufacturer to choose the separation distance between
the cell phone and the test model as long as consumers are informed about the
minimum distance tested. However, few consumers are aware of the manufacturer’s
recommended minimum body separation distance from their cell phone because this
information is often difficult to find. Thus, most consumers are in the dark
about precautions they can take to keep their exposure to microwave radiation
below the legal limit. This prompted the city of Berkeley, California to adopt landmark legislation that
requires cellphone retailers to inform their customers about the manufacturer’s
safety information.
To ensure that the cell phone does not
exceed the legal limit, consumers should never keep their cell phone in their
pockets or next to their skin. The cell phone is not tested
directly against the body because almost all cell phones would fail the SAR test as
the radiation absorption increases dramatically when the cell phone is close to
the body.
Is the
legal limit sufficient to protect the cell phone user’s health?
Federal
policies in the U.S. could lead the public to believe that all legally-marketed
cell phones are safe, and that a cell phone's SAR doesn't matter as long as it
meets the legal limit: 1.6 watts per kilogram. (3, 4)
However,
the Environmental Working Group and experts point out that the SAR only
measures the maximum microwave absorption from cell phone use that perfectly
matches laboratory conditions. The SAR is not a good indicator of one’s
cumulative microwave exposure under naturalistic conditions. The research
evidence suggests that how one uses the phone (e.g., hands-free) and one’s cell
phone carrier actually matters more than the phone’s SAR level. (4, 6, 7)
The SAR
standard was developed to protect users only from the acute effects of the heat
generated by microwave radiation (i.e., the thermal effect). (5) The SAR
limit does not protect users from the non-thermal effects caused by the
cumulative exposure over time to cell phone radiation.
Yet,
thousands of laboratory studies with animals and cell samples have found
deleterious biologic effects from short-term exposure to low intensity cell
phone radiation, including development of stress proteins, micronuclei, free
radicals, DNA breakage, and sperm damage. (8) Human studies have also found
that brief exposure to cell phone radiation alters brain activity and can open
the blood-brain barrier which could enable chemical toxins in the circulatory
system to penetrate the brain. (9)
Major
studies with humans have found increased cancer risk, including a three-fold
increase in brain cancer among those who used wireless phones (cell phones and
cordless phones) for 25 or more years. (10) Based upon this research, the
World Health Organization in 2011 declared radiofrequency radiation
"possibly carcinogenic" in humans (Group 2B). (11)
Other
risks from cell phone use include reproductive health damage and male
infertility, and neurological disorders (e.g., impaired cognitive functioning,
headaches and migraines, and ADHD [attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder])
in children. (12, 13)
Based
upon the weight of the evidence from several decades of research including
thousands of peer-reviewed published studies, many experts worldwide have
signed declarations calling upon government to adopt stronger radiation
standards to protect consumers from low intensity, non-thermal exposures from
radiation associated with wireless communications, and to alert consumers about
how to reduce their risk of harm. (14 -16) Recent evidence suggests that brain tumor incidence is increasing in the U.S. and other countries and exposure to cell phone radiation may be contributing to this increase. (17) In May, 2015, about 200 scientists
who have published peer-reviewed research on electromagnetic fields and biology
or health signed a petition, the International EMFScientist Appeal, calling for stronger regulation of wireless radiation.
For tips on how to reduce exposure to wireless radiation, see "Some Tips to ReduceYour Exposure to Wireless Radiation". (18) In short, limit your use of the phone, keep the phone away from your body whenever it is powered on, use the phone hands-free, and turn off transmitters not in use (e.g., shut off Wi-Fi or use airplane mode).
For tips on how to reduce exposure to wireless radiation, see "Some Tips to ReduceYour Exposure to Wireless Radiation". (18) In short, limit your use of the phone, keep the phone away from your body whenever it is powered on, use the phone hands-free, and turn off transmitters not in use (e.g., shut off Wi-Fi or use airplane mode).
References
(1) PCTEST
Engineering Laboratory, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report. Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd. FCC ID: A3LSMG930US. Date of
Testing: 12/04/2015 to 1/04/2016.https://fccid.io/document.php?id=2894014
(2)
PCTEST Engineering Laboratory, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report. Samsung Electronics
Co., Ltd. FCC ID: A3LSMG935US. Date
of Testing: 12/02/2015 to 1/06/2015. https://fccid.io/document.php?id=2894155
https://fccid.io/document.php?id=3057565
(3)
FCC. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Cellular Telephones. Undated. http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cellular-telephones
(4)
FCC. “Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) For Cell Phones: What It Means For You.”
Undated. http://www.fcc.gov/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-means-you
(5) Joel
Moskowitz. “"Comments on the 2012 GAO Report: 'Exposure and Testing
Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed'.:” http://www.saferemr.com/2013/01/commentary-gao-2012-report-on-mobile.html
(6)
Wolchover N. Radiation Risk: Are Some Cellphones More Dangerous Than Others?
Life's Little Mysteries. June 23, 2011. http://www.lifeslittlemysteries.com/1550-radiation-risk-some-cell-phones-more-dangerous-than-others.html
(7) Environmental Working Group. EWG’s Guide to Safer Cell Phone Use: Where is EWG's cell phone database? August 27 2013.
(7) Environmental Working Group. EWG’s Guide to Safer Cell Phone Use: Where is EWG's cell phone database? August 27 2013.
(8)
Giuliani L. Soffritti M. Non-thermal effects and mechanisms of interaction
between electromagnetic fields and living matter. ICEMS Monograph. Bologna,
Italy: National Institute for the Study and Control of Cancer. 2010. http://www.icems.eu/papers.htm
(9)
Joel Moskowitz. “LTE Cell Phone Radiation Affects Brain Activity in
Cell Phone Users.” Sep 20, 2013. http://www.prlog.org/12215083
(10)
Joel Moskowitz. “Brain Cancer Risk Increases with the Amount of Wireless Phone
Use: Study. http://www.prlog.org/12216483
(11)
Joel Moskowitz. “Most Significant Government Health Report on Mobile Phone
Radiation Ever Published.” http://www.prlog.org/12125230
(12)
Joel Moskowitz. “Cell Phone Radiation, Pregnancy, and Sperm.” Nov 19, 2012.
http://www.prlog.org/12026867
(13)
Joel Moskowitz. “Cell Phone Use and Prenatal Exposure to Cell Phone Radiation
May Cause Headaches in Children.“ http://www.prlog.org/12269207
(14)
Joel Moskowitz. “Part I: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation
Regulations--Key Testimony Submitted to the FCC.” Aug 4, 2014. http://www.saferemr.com/2014/08/why-we-need-stronger-cell-phone.html
(15)
Joel Moskowitz. “Part II: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation
Regulations--Key Research Papers Submitted to the FCC.” Aug 4, 2014. http://www.saferemr.com/2014/08/why-we-need-stronger-cell-phone_43.html
(16)
Joel Moskowitz. “Part III: Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation
Regulations--98 Scientific Experts Who Signed Resolutions.” Aug 4, 2014. http://www.saferemr.com/2014/08/why-we-need-stronger-cell-phone_4.html
(17) Joel Moskowitz. Brain Tumor Rates are Increasing in the U.S.: The Role of Cell Phone and Cordless Phone Use. http://bit.ly/risingtumors
(17) Joel Moskowitz. Brain Tumor Rates are Increasing in the U.S.: The Role of Cell Phone and Cordless Phone Use. http://bit.ly/risingtumors
(18) Joel Moskowitz. Some Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to Wireless Radiation (one page handout). Undated. http://bit.ly/saferemrtips3
