Posted on 06/12/2008 11:56:57 PM PDT by neverdem
What it all means
According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), specific absorption rate, or SAR, is "a way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body." For a phone to pass FCC certification, that phone's maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6W/kg (watts per kilogram). In Europe, the level is capped at 2W/kg while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6W/kg. The SAR level listed in our charts represents the highest SAR level with the phone next to the ear as tested by the FCC. Keep in mind that it is possible for the SAR level to vary between different transmission bands and that different testing bodies can obtain different results. Also, it's possible for results to vary between different editions of the same phone (such as a handset that's offered by multiple carriers).
It's important to note that in publishing this list are we in no way implying that cell phone use is or isn't harmful to your health. While research abounds and some tests have shown that cell phone radiofrequency (RF) could accelerate cancer in laboratory animals, the studies have not been replicated. Cell phones can affect internal pacemakers, but there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they cause adverse health affects in humans. Conversely, there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they don't cause adverse health affects in humans. So, in short, the jury is still out, research is ongoing, and we will continue to monitor its results.
If your phone isn't listed here (U.S. customers) and you've purchased it within the last few years (the FCC Web site currently does not provide information on models certified before 1998), you can request the SAR information from the manufacturer or your carrier. You'll need the model number and...
(Excerpt) Read more at reviews.cnet.com ...
The NY Times health blog, where I found it.
So why do they publish it then? Fear mongering is my guess. They know that words like radiation, and microwave, conjure up fears in the ignorant masses.
Click on the keyword, cellphones. It's the 3rd thread. I posted it. They are mostly finding malignancies on the same side of the head as the dominant hand, IIRC.
Is that before or after the gas pump blows up?
This is mostly due to the ionizing radiation argument. When it comes right down to it, it is the frequency of the radiation that is important. I think that people fail to realize that the only difference between a radio wave, light, x-ray and gama ray radiation is the frequency of the electro-magnetic radiation.
I don't think most people know why microwaves make things hot. If they did, I doubt they would be concerned about cancer.
If the average person knew the amount of non ionizing radiation that surrounds them every minute of every day, and has surrounded them for virtually every minute of every day of their lives thus far, they would probably hide under their bed. Fortunately, skin effect is a fact, not a theory.
Hand held cell phones radiate at .6 watts, omni-directionally. It takes 1000 watts of highly concentrated microwave energy to pop your popcorn.
Fear, and the potential to milk hundreds of millions of dollars out of the wireless industry are precisely the motivators behind this. These fear mongers should really study RF before they write this garbage.
You better believe that if there were any possible way they could have found to add the word 'nuclear', that would have been there too.
It could well be so. That's their business. But we don't know what we don't know. So as far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out. The FDA WON'T SAY YEA OR NEA.
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