For wireless devices designed for proximity to or contact with the body (including cell phones, tablets, and other portable gadgets) that operate at or below 6 GHz, these guidelines outline exposure limits based on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). The SAR quantifies the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body. Regarding exposure to RF energy from wireless devices, the permissible FCC SAR limit is set at 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg), averaged over one gram of tissue.
For wireless devices functioning within the frequency range exceeding 6 GHz, the guidelines establish power density as the pertinent RF exposure limit. Power density is characterized as the quantity of RF power per unit area. Current power density limits are applicable for whole-body exposure; however, power density limits for localized exposure are under consideration.
All wireless devices marketed in the United States undergo a formal FCC approval process to guarantee that they do not surpass the exposure limits while operating at the maximum power level of the device. Should the FCC discover that a device does not comply with the test report on which FCC approval is predicated – essentially, if the device available in stores differs from the device that received FCC approval – the FCC has the authority to revoke its approval and initiate enforcement actions against the relevant party. For additional information regarding device testing and SAR for cell phones.
What SAR Does Not Indicate
The SAR value utilized for FCC approval does not consider the numerous measurements collected during the testing process. Additionally, cell phones consistently adjust their power levels to function at the lowest power required for communication; maximum power operation is rare. As a result, it is not feasible to accurately compare cell phones regarding their overall exposure characteristics based solely on a single SAR value for various reasons (each of these instances is derived from a reported SAR value for cell phone A that exceeds that of cell phone B):
The Bottom Line
All mobile phones are required to comply with the FCC’s RF exposure standard, which is established at a level significantly lower than that at which laboratory tests suggest, and medical and biological professionals generally concur, that harmful health effects may arise. For individuals who are apprehensive about the sufficiency of this standard or who wish to minimize their exposure further, the most effective strategies include keeping the mobile phone away from the head or body and utilizing a speakerphone or hands-free device. These actions will typically have a far greater effect on RF energy absorption than the minor variations in SAR among different mobile phones, which, in any case, is an unreliable measure of RF exposure for consumers due to the differing factors of personal usage.
Source:
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/home-business-and-entertainment-products/cell-phones
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-devices-and-health-concerns
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-means-you
https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/sar_for_cell_phones_-_what_it_means_for_you.pdf
fcc.gov/consumers/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-means-you.
