Exposure limits: the underestimation of absorbed cell phone radiation, especially in children.
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Date
2012-02-15
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Abstract
The existing cell phone certification process uses a plastic model of the head called the Specific Anthropomorphic Mannequin SAM representing the top 10 of U S military recruits in 1989 and greatly underestimating the Specific Absorption Rate SAR for typical mobile phone users especially children A superior computer simulation certification process has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission FCC but is not employed to certify cell phones In the United States the FCC determines maximum allowed exposures Many countries especially European Union members use the guidelines of International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection ICNIRP a non governmental agency Radiofrequency RF exposure to a head smaller than SAM will absorb a relatively higher SAR Also SAM uses a fluid having the average electrical properties of the head that cannot indicate differential absorption of specific brain tissue nor absorption in children or smaller adults The SAR for a 10 year old is up to 153 higher than the SAR for the SAM model When electrical properties are considered a child s head s absorption can be over two times greater and absorption of the skull s bone marrow can be ten times greater than adults Therefore a new certification process is needed that incorporates different modes of use head sizes and tissue properties Anatomically based models should be employed in revising safety standards for these ubiquitous modern devices and standards should be set by accountable independent groups