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Measurements of mobile phone radiation

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STUK – the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland – is the authority responsible for monitoring the radiation safety of mobile phones by carrying our random testing of different models. Testing began in spring 2003.

The tests measure the SAR (specific absorption rate) value, which indicates the thermal energy absorbed into the area of the head from the mobile phone.

A decree issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health states the maximum permissible SAR value as being 2 watts per kg. If the SAR value is below this, the tissue does not heat up significantly.

The mobile phone manufacturer must ensure the conformity of the product before it is released onto the market. Through random testing, STUK sees that the SAR values of the mobile phone models on the market do not exceed the statutory maximum value. STUK also aims to provide citizens with reliable comparative information about the radiation characteristics of different mobile phones on the market.



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In radiation testing, SAR is measured using SAR test equipment that meets the requirements of the international IEC 62209-1 standard. STUK’s measuring method differs from the standard in that the tests are done using only phone frequencies available in Finland and with the phone operating only in the transmission of speech.

The principle of the test is that the measured SAR corresponds to the maximum permissible exposure caused by the phone. In the test, the phone operates constantly at full power. The phone’s technology, the different operating positions and the anatomical features of the user's head from children to adults are taken into account in the test.

The phones to be measured are chosen at random, primarily from amongst the best-selling models. Every year, STUK measures the SAR values of about 15 different models.

How to reduce your exposure

According to a notice issued by manufacturers, the SAR values of phones available on the market do not exceed the maximum statutory value. If, however, you want to keep the exposure of yourself or those around you to a minimum, it is good to bear in mind that

  • When you buy a new phone, you will get information about the maximum possible level of radiation as an SAR value.

  • You can eliminate radiation targeted at your head by using a hands-free device.

  • Keeping your phone in, for example, a belt case creates a little distance between the phone and your body, and even this small distance considerably reduces exposure.

  • In an area of poor reception, for instance in an enclosed space such as a car, the device will radiate more strongly than in an area of good reception.

  • So-called ’mobile pouches’ do not significantly reduce exposure.

Mobile phones tested by STUK

STUK measures the SAR value of a mobile phone when the phone is transmitting speech at full power. The mobile phone manufacturers measure the SAR value, both when the phone is transmitting speech and when it is transmitting data. This partially explains the greater values reported by manufacturers for some of the phones.

Model of phone

SAR measured by STUK (W/kg)

SAR reported by manufacturer (W/kg)

Apple
iPhone 41,070,93
Doro
Doro PhoneEasy 3450,520,692
HTC
HTC Desire0,730,752
LG 
LG C11001,001,12
LG KF6000,440,471
LG KG1101,120,728
LG KG2750,960,956
LG KU2501,231,24
LG L31001,230,30
Motorola
Motorola C1390,870,97
Motorola C2000,800,78

Motorola C350

0,54

0,90

Motorola C5500,790,71
Motorola C6500,560,87
Motorola F30,540,72
Motorola L61,131,33
Motorola T1910,961,01

Motorola V150

0,56

0,67

Motorola V180

0,770,87
Motorola W1800,610,51
Nokia
Nokia 11000,680,67
Nokia 11120,650,78
Nokia 16000,620,82

Nokia 2100

0,55

0,55

Nokia 2330 Classic0,880,98
Nokia 26000,530,80
Nokia 26100,580,56
Nokia 26300,650,70
Nokia 26500,480,54
Nokia 26900,480,66
Nokia 27200,680,96
Nokia 27600,820,97

Nokia 3100

0,63

0,76

Nokia 32000,550,56
Nokia 32200,590,78

Nokia 3310

0,91

0,96

Nokia 3510

0,58

0,66

Nokia 3720 Classic0,510,48
Nokia 51000,470,48
Nokia 51400,860,77
Nokia 5030 XpressMusic0,941,06
Nokia 5230 XpressMusic0,541,10
Nokia 60210,370,72
Nokia 60300,620,70
Nokia 60600,650,77
Nokia 60850,711,15

Nokia 6100

0,61

0,60

Nokia 61030,480,75
Nokia 61510,841,02
Nokia 62200,650,66
Nokia 62700,280,74
Nokia 6600i0,330,35

Nokia 6610

0,97

0,63

Nokia 66300,690,83
Nokia 6700 Classic0,290,41
Nokia 68100,870,82
Nokia 68220,710,67
Nokia 72300,620,97
Nokia 9500 Communicator0,270,49
Nokia C50,661,34
Nokia E510,971,47
Nokia E520,811,05
Nokia E650,530,87
Nokia E710,531,33
Nokia E720,731,31
Nokia N701,010,95
Nokia N730,851,12
Nokia N97 Mini0,500,67
Nokia N-Gage QD0,480,57
Nu:fone
Nu:fone Classic0,86-
Nu:fone Two0,69-
Samsung
Samsung C30500,480,709
Samsung E10800,700,645
Samsung GT-SC52300,700,531
Samsung SGH-A8000,880,96
Samsung SGH-B1000,770,91

Samsung SGH-C100

0,74

0,60

Samsung SGH-E3301,170,90
Samsung SGH-L7600,780,554
Samsung SGH-X1000,540,76
Samsung SGH-X2000,870,74
Samsung SGH-X3000,390,58

Samsung SGH-X450

1,130,98

Samsung SGH-X460

0,79

0,846

Samsung SGH-X510

0,770,781
Samsung SGH-X6800,590,801

Samsung SGH-X820

1,150,639

Samsung SGH-Z540

0,380,54
Siemens

Siemens A55

0,45

0,56

Siemens A600,750,67
Siemens A650,280,49
Siemens A700,350,52

Siemens CF62

0,750,75

Siemens M55

0,800,64

Siemens MC60

0,60

0,67

Siemens ME45

1,12

0,98

SonyEricsson
SonyEricsson F3050,650,67
SonyEricsson J230i0,700,98
SonyEricsson J300i1,311,02

SonyEricsson K500i

0,530,53
SonyEricsson T2300,500,74

SonyEricsson T310

0,53

0,61

SonyEricsson T630

0,850,88
SonyEricsson W200i0,720,81
SonyEricsson W300i1,031,20
SonyEricsson W350i1,411,46
SonyEricsson Z2000,770,94
SonyEricsson Z3000,900,75
SonyEricsson Z310i0,430,7
Teddyfone0,650,168
Telme
Telme C1150,910,873
ZTE
ZTE Blade0,941,35
Average0,720,80
Maximum1,411,47
Minimum0,270,17


Page updated 07/07/2011
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