France bans sales of iPhone 12 due to radiation… Does it pose a risk to our health?
What are the radiations emitted by smart phones?
Smart phones use electromagnetic waves to communicate with wireless networks, whether they are mobile networks or Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth networks. These waves belong to the category of non-ionizing waves, which have a long wavelength and low energy, compared to other waves such as light waves or X-rays or gamma rays. These waves are called non-ionizing waves, because they do not carry enough energy to change the structure of atoms or molecules. The phone emits electromagnetic radiation continuously, even when not in use, because it searches for the nearest transmission tower, or receives messages or notifications. And the level of these radiations may increase when making a voice or video call, or when using internet services.
What are the permissible levels of radiation?
There is no one ratio that unites countries in determining the permissible levels of radiation. Each country sets its own law, based on its studies and estimates. But usually a standard called SAR is used, which stands for Specific absorption rate, which is the rate of body absorption of radiation. This standard measures the amount of energy that the body absorbs from the phone, and expresses it in units of watts per kilogram. In France, sales of iPhone 12 were banned, after it was found that its SAR ratio reached 5.74 watts per kilogram, which is higher than the European Union standard, which sets the maximum limit at 4 watts per kilogram. Belgium took a similar decision, and announced that it was investigating this issue. According to Apple’s official website, the SAR level of iPhone 12 when it is near the head or body is at most 1.17 watts per kilogram. But this does not mean that iPhone 12 is the most radiating phone in the market, or that it does not conform to international standards. The United States follows another standard, which sets the maximum limit at 1.6 watts per kilogram. But the method of measuring SAR also differs between countries, some of them measure it when placing the phone near the head, and some of them when placing it near the body. And this may lead to large differences in the results.
Do radiations pose a risk to our health?
The health effects of non-ionizing radiation on the human body are not completely clear, and are still a matter of debate among scientists. Some studies suggest that these radiations may increase the risk of brain cancer or benign tumor in the hearing nerve, especially for people who use the phone intensively or continuously. While other studies deny this hypothesis, and indicate that there is no relationship between phone use and cancer. There are also other factors that may affect the level of exposure to radiation, such as the duration of phone use, the way of holding it, and the strength of the network signal. But even if there is no conclusive evidence of the danger of these radiations, it does not hurt to be cautious and reduce exposure to them as much as possible. Radiations affect the body temperature, and may cause headache, insomnia, fatigue, or interference with memory or attention. Also, using the phone for long periods may cause pain in the hand, neck, back or eyes. Therefore, it is advised to limit the use of the phone as much as possible, and follow the safety and prevention tips. This is the end of the article. I hope you have benefited from this information, and that you are able to protect yourself and your loved ones from the risks of radiation.