SAR Rating for Smart Phones: Your Guide to EMF Protection

In today's world, smartphones have become essential to our daily lives. They help us stay connected with our loved ones, entertain us with games and social media, and provide us with access to an endless amount of information.

However, with the increasing use of smartphones, concerns about the potential health risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation have also increased. One way to measure the level of radiation emitted by smartphones is through SAR testing.

In this blog post, we will discuss what SAR rating is, how cell phone radiation affects our health, and how we can reduce our exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

What is the SAR rating?

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when exposed to electromagnetic fields emitted by electronic devices like smartphones.

If you want to know the details, know that SAR is expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg), and the lower the SAR value, the better. The SAR value indicates the maximum level of RF exposure when the phone is in contact with the body. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set a SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg for mobile devices.

How does EMF exposure affect out health? 

The health effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation are still being studied. A Google search inquiring about the link between RF exposure and health issues typically results in a long list of studies saying that there is no evidence of harm.

However, some studies have linked high levels of exposure to electromagnetic radiation to an increased risk of cancer, infertility, and other health problems.

In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as potentially associated with an increased risk for glioma, a form of brain cancer. As a result, the IARC has categorized EMFs as possible carcinogens for humans (Group 2B).

While the risk of exposure to electromagnetic radiation may vary from person to person, it is still essential to minimize exposure to the extent possible. One way to reduce exposure is using a smartphone with a low SAR rating.

How to Reduce EMF exposure 

There are several ways to reduce exposure to EMF radiation from smartphones:

1) Keep your phone away from your body

One of the best forms of EMF protection is simple—stay away from devices that emit EMFs. Keep your phone, iPad, laptop, and other similar electronic devices away from your body as much as possible.

The farther away your phone or laptop is, the less radiation you're exposed to.

RELATED TOPIC: Is it bad to sleep next to your phone?  

2) Use speakerphone or a headset

Using a speakerphone or headset to make calls can reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. This is because the radiation emitted by the phone decreases rapidly with distance.

To be safe, we recommend making a habit of keeping phones away from the side of the head and body, especially if you’re in a location with higher levels of radio frequency radiation.

3) Limit phone use

It's a no-brainer that limiting your time on your phone can reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Limiting your time on your cell phone reduces your exposure to electromagnetic radiation and other potential health hazards associated with it. 

If you are looking for ideas on how to cut down on your smartphone usage, we are here to help. From setting up daily usage limits and timers, or opting for alternative devices such as tablets or landlines, there are plenty of options available to reduce cell phone use throughout the day.

If you need ideas forhow to spend less time on your cell phone, we can help.

4) Turn off your phone when not in use

Turning off your cell phone can significantly reduce your exposure to the potentially dangerous electromagnetic radiation emitted by your device. 

Even when you're not actively using it, your phone is constantly emitting this radiation that can easily penetrate into your body, potentially causing harm over time. It's important to be mindful of this and switch off your device whenever you're not using it for extended periods.

5) Use airplane mode

While turning off your phone when not in use can effectively reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation, it may not always be practical or convenient.

In these cases, using airplane mode or keeping your phone away from your body can also help reduce your radiation exposure.

Airplane mode can disable the phone's wireless communication functions, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data.

This can reduce your exposure to EMFs from wireless devices.

6) Use a low SAR-rated phone

Choosing a phone with a low SAR rating can also reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Low SAR rating phones are smartphones that emit lower levels of cell phone radiation.

The SAR value of a phone depends on various factors, including the phone model, the frequency of use, and the proximity to the body. Generally, phones with a SAR value of 1.6 W/kg or below are considered to have a low SAR rating.

It is important to note that the SAR value of a phone may vary depending on the model, carrier, and country. We suggest checking the SAR rating of a phone before purchasing it.

7) Use a Faraday phone sleeve

Another effective way to reduce exposure to RF is using a protective device like Faraday bags for phones. This phone sleeve uses patented anti-radiation technology to block up to 99% of electromagnetic radiation emitted by your phone.

By using a Faraday phone sleeve, you can protect yourself from the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation while still enjoying the convenience of your smartphone when you want it.

Play it safe: Go SLNT

While the health risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation from smartphones are still being studied, it is essential to minimize our exposure. We don't have to wait another decade or two to find out the long-term damaging effects of EMFs on human tissue.

A "better safe than sorry" approach can provide radiation protection and potentially spare us undesirable health consequences down the road. By following these simple steps, we can enjoy the convenience of our smartphones while still protecting our health.