# Smartphone Radiation is Increasing...

## Smartphone Radiation Basics

- Smartphones emit electromagnetic waves constantly when on
- Radiation measured as Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - energy absorbed by body from electromagnetic waves
- US government states SAR value <1.6 is safe

## Brand Radiation Rankings

- **Highest radiation levels**: Xiaomi and OnePlus consistently high, fighting for top spot
- **Lowest radiation levels**: Samsung, LG, and ZTE are winners
- **Variation example**: Xiaomi A1 has 10x higher radiation than Samsung Galaxy Note 8

## Increasing Radiation Exposure Trends

- Signal strength becoming more intense, especially with 5G introduction
- Smartphone users increased roughly 10x in last decade
- Average user spends 24 hours/week on phone (equivalent to whole day)
- Kids getting smartphones at younger ages than ever
- Evidence suggests young children most at risk if anyone is

## Electromagnetic Spectrum Context

- **Higher energy waves** (left side): ionizing radiation - powerful enough to dislodge electrons from atoms, damage internal structure, directly cause cancers
- **Smartphone radiation**: combination of radio waves and microwaves
- Microwaves used to cook food but far from ionizing radiation on spectrum
- **5G concerns**: higher energy than 4G but still in microwave category, closer to infrared

## Safety Research and Uncertainty

- Most studies suggest smartphones not problematic
- Rat tests required many times recommended amount before negative outcomes
- Difficult to design conclusive studies due to:
  - Fast-changing smartphone landscape
  - More people using phones for longer periods
  - 5G introduction
  - Impossible to conclusively prove no amount problematic

## Safety Measures and Recommendations

- **Physical radiation blockers**: available for purchase
- **Steel cages**: designed to lock phone away while sleeping
- **Air tube earphones**: speaker unit halfway down cable, away from head (speaker and wire produce most radiation)
- **Relocation**: some moved to National Radio Quiet Zone (US) with strict radio wave regulations

## European Authority Recommendations

- Keep mobile phone away from body
- Radio wave intensity proportional to distance squared
- Holding phone extra 5cm from head or different pocket has big impact on exposure
- Use speakerphone when possible for same distance benefits