What are the SAR values for iPhone’s new smart
phones? How should consumers use this information?
Be sure to read the latest
about cell phone use.
Also see: "Do iPhones emit more radiation than
Samsung Galaxy phones?"
Also see: "Do iPhones emit more radiation than
Samsung Galaxy phones?"
Note: I recommend corded headsets or hands-free use of cell phones, not wireless ear
buds. Moreover, one should never keep a cell phone next to your body, especially
during a phone call, but also whenever the phone is powered on. For more information see my AirPods post.
According to test reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for the iPhone 7 (Model A1660: GSM and CDMA ) for
cellular transmission is 1.10 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.14 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.16 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.49 w/kg at the head, 1.56 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.56 w/kg when used as a
hotspot. (1a)
The SAR for the iPhone 7 (Model A1778: GSM, no CDMA) for cellular transmission is 1.19 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.09 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.14 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.56 w/kg at the head, 1.51 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.58 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (1b)
The SAR for the iPhone 7 (Model A1778: GSM, no CDMA) for cellular transmission is 1.19 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.09 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.14 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.56 w/kg at the head, 1.51 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.58 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (1b)
The SAR for the iPhone 7 Plus (Model A1661: GSM and CDMA) for
cellular transmission is 1.09 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head,
and 1.10 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.13 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.45 w/kg at the head, 1.51 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.58 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (2a)
The SAR for the iPhone 7 Plus (Model A1784: GSM, no CDMA) for cellular transmission is 1.09 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.14 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.14 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.42 w/kg at the head, 1.54 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.54 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (2b)
The SAR for the iPhone 7 Plus (Model A1784: GSM, no CDMA) for cellular transmission is 1.09 watts per kilogram (w/kg) at the head, and 1.14 w/kg when worn on the body. The hotspot/Airplay SAR is 1.14 w/kg. The SAR for simultaneous transmission (cellular plus Wi-Fi) is 1.42 w/kg at the head, 1.54 w/kg when worn on the body, and 1.54 w/kg when used as a hotspot. (2b)
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, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon).
The minimum separation
distance for body-worn testing was 5 mm (about two-tenths of an inch).
The SARs for the
Samsung Galaxy S7 and Note smart phones were obtained at a separation distance
of 15 mm (about six-tenths of an inch) from the body so the body-worn SAR
values are not comparable to those reported for the Apple iPhones. The iPhone
SAR values can be found in my
article about the Samsung smart phones.
The FCC ID number for the iPhone 7 is xx, and for the iPhone Plus it is xx. The SAR values for these smart phones will soon be available from Apple and from the FCC.
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 harm 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 2015 more than 220 scientists who have published peer-reviewed research on electromagnetic
fields and biology or health signed a petition, the International EMF Scientist Appeal, calling for stronger regulation of wireless
radiation.
For tips on how to reduce exposure to wireless radiation, see "Some Tips to Reduce Your 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 Reduce Your 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
(1a) UL Verification Services, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report
for Cellular Phone with Bluetooth and WLAN Radios. FCC ID: BCG-E3085A. Model
Name: A1660, A1780. Prepared for Apple, Inc. Report Number: 16U23309-S1V8. Issue Date: 9/1/2016.
Fremont, CA. https://fccid.io/document.php?id=3120702
(1b) UL Verification Services, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report
for Cellular Phone with Bluetooth and WLAN Radios. FCC ID: BCG-E3091A. Model
Name: A1778. Prepared for Apple, Inc. Report Number: 16U23338-S1V10. Issue Date: 9/1/2016. Fremont, CA. https://fccid.io/document.php?id=3120237
(2a) UL Verification Services, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report
for Cellular Phone with Bluetooth and WLAN Radios. FCC ID: BCG-E3087A. Model
Name: A1661, A1786. Prepared for Apple, Inc. Report Number: 16U23287-S1V8. Issue Date: 9/1/2016.
Fremont, CA. https://fccid.io/document.php?id=3120239
(2b) UL Verification Services, Inc. SAR Evaluation Report
for Cellular Phone with Bluetooth and WLAN Radios. FCC ID: BCG-E3092A. Model
Name: A1784. Prepared for Apple, Inc. Report Number: 16U23366-S1V9. Issue Date: 9/1/2016. Fremont, CA. https://fccid.io/document.php?id=3120427
(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
