SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE (SAR)

It is a measure of how transmitted RF energy is absorbed by human tissue. SAR

is a function of the electrical conductivity (measured in Siemens/meter), the induced
E-field from the radiated energy (measured in Volts/meter), and the mass density of
the tissue. The SAR is calculated by averaging (or integrating) over a specific volume
(typically a 1 gram or 10 gram area).

The units of SAR are W/kg, or equivalently, mW/g. The SAR limit in the US for
mobile phones is 1.6 W/kg, averaged over 1 gram of tissue. In Europe, the SAR limit
is 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue. It is typically harder to achieve the US
specification than the Europe spec, so if the phone meets the US spec it will typically
also meet the European spec.

The safety limit for exposure to mobile phone emissions is set by

determining the lowest level of exposure known to cause health
hazards and then adding a safety margin.
 Because mobile phones are used close to the hand and head,
safety limits are also set to prevent possible localised hotspots.
Independent standard setting agencies review the extensive
research literature on acute exposures in animals and worst-case
estimates whic leads to very large safety margins.During
manufacture the maximum power output of phones is regularly
tested.

CALCULATION:

SAR for electromagnetic energy can be calculated from the electric

field within the tissue as:

SAR=1/V sample((r)E(R))/((r))dr
where
isthe sample electrical conductivity
E is the RMS electric field
is thise sample density
v is the volume of the sample

SAR measures exposure to fields between 100 kHz and 10 GHz

(known as radio waves). It is commonly used to measure power
absorbed from mobile phones and during MRI scans. The value will
depend heavily on the geometry of the part of the body that is
exposed to the RF energy, and on the exact location and geometry
of the RF source. Thus tests must be made with each specific
source, such as a mobile phone model, and at the intended position
of use.

SAR TESTING:

SAR testing uses standardized models of the human head and body
that are filled with liquids that simulate the RF absorption characteristics
of different human tissues. In order to determine compliance, each cell
phone is tested while operating at its highest power level in all the
frequency bands in which it operates, and in various specific positions
against the dummy head and body, to simulate the way different users
typically hold a cell phone, including to each side of the head. To test cell
phones for SAR compliance, the phone is precisely placed in various
common positions next to the head and body, and a robotic probe takes
a series of measurements of the electric field at specific pinpoint
locations in a very precise, grid-like pattern within the dummy head and
torso. All data for each phone placement are submitted as a part of the
equipment approval test report for final authorization. However,only the
highest SAR values for each frequency band are included in the final
authorization to demonstrate compliance with the FCCs RF guidelines.

MOBILE PHONE SAR TESTING:

When measuring the SAR due to a mobile phone the phone is

placed against a representation of a human head (a "SAR
Phantom") in a talk position. The SAR value is then measured at the
location that has the highest absorption rate in the entire head,
which in the case of a mobile phone is often as close to the phone's
antenna as possible. Measurements are made for different positions
on both sides of the head and at different frequencies representing
the frequency bands at which the device can transmit. Depending
on the size and capabilities of the phone, additional testing may
also be required to represent usage of the device while placed close
to the user's body and/or extremities. Various governments have
defined maximum SAR levels for RF energy emitted by mobile
devices:
United States: the FCC requires that phones sold have a SAR
level at or below 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg) taken over the volume
containing a mass of 1 gram of tissue that is absorbing the most
signal.
European Union: CENELEC specify SAR limits within the EU,
following IEC standards. For mobile phones, and other such hand-
held devices, the SAR limit is 2 W/kg averaged over the 10 g of
tissue absorbing the most signal (IEC 62209-1).
India: switched from the EU limits to the US limits for mobile
handsets in 2012. Unlike the US, India will not rely solely on SAR
measurements provided by manufacturers; random compliance
tests are done by a government-runTelecommunication Engineering Center
(TEC) SAR Laboratory on handsets and 10% of towers. All handsets
must have a hands free mode.
SAR values are heavily dependent on the size of the
averaging volume. Without information about the averaging volume
used, comparisons between different measurements cannot be
made. Thus, the European 10-gram ratings should be compared
among themselves, and the American 1-gram ratings should only
be compared among themselves. To check SAR on your mobile
phone, review the documentation provided with the phone, dial
*#07# (only works on some models) or visit the manufacturer's
website.

MEASURED SAR:

SAR is measured using an internationally-harmonised standard.

Mobile phones are tested using a phantom head that is based

on the dimensions of a large adult male head to ensure worst-case
measurements. The phantom head is filled with liquid that
simulates human head tissue and SAR values are measured with
the phone at maximum power and placed in a number of positions
to simulate normal use.

This also includes tests with the antenna in or out and at the
different frequencies the model of phone can operate at. A probe
inside the liquid measures the electric field strength inside the
phantom head and shows the maximum SAR value for the model of
mobile phone. The test procedure including the testing of phone
accessories can take up to two weeks.

FIND THE SAR FOR YOUR DEVICE:

There are several ways to find the SAR rating of your device. We
have listed our top choices below

From Manufacture
Most manufacturers provide SAR information in their products
manuals and on their websites.
Mobile Manufacturers Forum
The Mobile Manufacturers Forum provides a database of SAR
values for popular devices by Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung
and Sony Ericsson.
To find the SAR rating of your device, youll need its FCC ID
number. Its usually shown somewhere on the case of your device or
specified in the About data on the device itself. For some devices,
you might have to remove its battery pack to find the number. Once
you have the number, you can go to the FCC website and follow the
instructions.
Other Sources
A list of the 20 cell phones with the highest SAR.

CELL PHONE SAFE:

While cell phones bring enormous convenience to our lives,

the possible health consequences of exposure to cell phone
radiation have aroused considerable public attention and scientific
debate. The results of thousands of scientific studies are mixed and
contradictory. The reported health effects include cancer, impaired
brain and nervous functions, sperm damages, behavioral problems
in children, to list a few. In May 2011, the World Health Organization
(WHO) classified cell phone radiation as possibly carcinogenic to
humans. Read more in our blog to learn about cell phone radiation
studies.

Just because your devices SAR rating is below the regulatory

threshold doesnt necessarily mean it is safe. As a matter of fact,
cell phones were introduced to the market without any safety
testing on humans in the first place. Although the FCC(federal
communications commission) enforces SAR limits on exposure, the
standards have not been updated since 1996, and were based on a
couple of animal behavioral studies in the 1970s. As of today, cell
phones have been in widespread use for more than 15 years, and
there is still extremely limited research data on its long-term health
effects and the effects on children.

Furthermore, you may not be aware that the current FCC

guidelines allow a device to be tested up to 25 mm away from the
users body. Distance is a key factor in determining the amount of
exposure from a device the intensity of radiation increases rapidly
as you get closer to the device. As a result, when you carry your
device directly against your body, you may be exposed to radiation
levels that exceed the devices SAR rating and even the FCC
exposure limit. For instance, if you place an iPhone 5 in contact with
your body, your body exposure may exceed the FCCs limit by more
than 4 times. Thats why all cell phone manufactures include
warnings in their users manuals to keep the cell phone a certain
distance away from your body for safety concern. For example, you
can find RF exposure information for Apple devices here. Apple even
includes a proximity sensor in its iPhone 5S, 6, 6Plus and iPads to
detect the presence of a users body and subsequently reduce the
devices transmitted signal in order to comply with the FCCs RF
exposure limit.

In March, 2013, the FCC commenced a formal Inquiry to

determine whether there is a need for reassessment of the
Commission radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits and policies.

HIGHEST AND LOWEST RADIATION IN CELLPHONES:

On Aug. 7, 1996, the FCC created guidelines on cell phone radiation (RF)
exposure with input from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA).

The guidelines created a measure of the rate that body tissue absorbs
radiation during cell phone use called the specific absorption rate (SAR). The
SAR for cell phone radiation was set at a maximum of 1.6 watts of energy
absorbed per kilogram of body weight. The limit was set due to the thermal
effects of cell phone radiation (all RF radiation can heat human body tissue at
high enough levels) - it was not set to mitigate other biological effects cell
phone radiation might have such as DNA damage or cancer.

The FCC SAR limit is based upon a cell phone call that averages 30 minutes
when the cell phone is held at the ear. Holding a phone away from the body or
using a wired earpiece lowers the amount of radiation absorbed, and text
messaging rather than talking, further lowers that amount.

The following charts list SAR levels for the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy
S, as well as 20 of the highest SAR level cellphones and 20 of the lowest SAR
level cellphones. The list provides the maximum possible SAR level from the
phone (many phones have differing SAR levels depending on where and how
the phone is used). If your phone is not on either list, you can find the SAR
level for your specific phone by checking the online FCC database.

HIGHEST RADIATION CELLPHONES:

II

SAR
Cell Phone Types
Level
1 Motorola Droid Maxx 1.54
2 Motorola Droid Ultra 1.54
3 Motorola Moto E 1.50
Alcatel One Touch
4 1.49
Evolve
5 Huawei Vitria 1.49
6 Kyocera Hydro Edge 1.48
7 Kyocera Kona 1.45
8 Kyocera Hydro XTRM 1.44
9 Nokia Asha 503 1.43
10 BlackBerry Z30 1.41
11 ZTE Source 1.41
12 ZTE Warp 4G 1.41
13 Nokia Lumia 925 1.40
14 Nokia Lumia 928 1.40
15 Kyocera Hydro Elite 1.39
16 T-Mobile Prism 2 1.38
17 Sprint Vital 1.38
18 Sprint Force 1.37
19 Huawei Pal 1.33
20 Kyocera Hydro Plus 1.33

LOWEST RADIATION CELLPHONES:

SAR
Cellphone Types
Level
1 VeryKool RS90 0.18
2 Samsung Galaxy Note 0.19
3 ZTE Nubia 5 0.19
4 Samsung Galaxy Note 2 0.23
5 Samsung Galaxy Mega 0.28
6 Kyocera Dura XT 0.32
7 Pantech Discover 0.33
8 Samsung Galaxy Beam 0.35
Samsung Galaxy
9 0.36
Stratosphere II
 10 Pantech Swift 0.37
11 Jitterbug Plus 0.39
12 Samsung Galaxy Appeal 0.40
13 LG Exalt 0.42
14 HTC One V 0.43
15 Nokia Lumia 1320 0.46
16 LG Optimus Vu 0.46
Samsung Galaxy S Relay
17 0.47
4G
18 Samsung Rugby 3 0.47
19 HTC One Max 0.50
20 LG G2 0.51

GOOD SAR VALUE:

The guidelines created a measure of the rate that body tissue absorbs
radiation energy during cell phone use called the specific absorption rate
(SAR). The SAR for cell phone radiation was set at a maximum of 1.6 watts of
energy absorbed per kilogram of body weight.

SAR VALUE INDIA:

Any cell phone at or below these SAR levels (that is, any phone legally
sold in India) is a "safe" phone, as measured by these standards. The FCC
limit for public exposure from cellular telephones is an SAR level of 1.6 watts
per kilogram (1.6 W/kg).

CONCLUSION:
The antenna positioning is critical. The antennas for mobile phones are typically
on the bottom of the phone, to keep the radiating part of the phone as far as possible
from the brain region.