1.6 W/kg (Warning: This cell phone warning does nothing, means nothing, and causes nothing but confusion.)
Recently, the County and City of San Francisco passed an ordinance requiring retailers of cell phones to post the level of radiation each devise emits at the point of sale. More specifically, the ordinance requires retailers to publish the “"specific absorption rate" (SAR).
The SAR rating measures how radio frequency (RF) exposure is absorbed by the body. In the United States the maximum SAR level allowed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (Link: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar/ )and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is 1.6 W/kg. As long as a specific cellular devise does not exceed the 1.6 W/kg measurement is considered “safe” by both the FCC and FDA.
The San Francisco ordinance implies that a devise with a lower SAR level is safer than one with a higher SAR level. This could lead to purchasing decisions based on an irrelevant measurement and places undue burden on the retailer, who now may have to deal with a patchwork of regulations nationwide.
Cell phones are not the only devises that emit radio frequency, but in comparison to other product they are required to publish a SAR. According to the FDA’s website some of the other devises that emit RF yet finding the SAR information on these devises is not easily found according to my research:
- Microwave oven
- Electric blanket
- CB/amateur radio
- Intrusion/anti-theft
- Remote controller
- Video monitor
You do not see the City trying to regulate these devises. To single out one industry or product is reckless and irresponsible.
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Other Resources:
The Cellular Telecommunication Industry Association has sued San Francisco over the ordinance. CTIA’s press release can be found here.
Other articles regarding the San Francisco ordinance:
- San Francisco's Cell Phone Radiation Law Goes Wrong
- San Francisco's Cell Phone Law: Too Much, Not Enough
Watching your heart beat on a cell phone, just the beginning!
Sometimes seeing is believing. If you do not believe that wireless technology will transform medicine then I recommend you check out the following presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. Dr. Tripol is a researcher Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla and is Vice Chairman of the Board/Chief Innovation Officer at the West Wireless Health Institute.
In his presentation, Dr. Topol discusses several of the technologies currently being used and how wireless technologies can help the lives of millions of people. Just one example from his presentation is his “Top 10 Targets for Wireless Medicine” listed here.
| Disease | No. Affected | Wireless Solution |
| Alzheimer’s | 5 M | Vital signs, location, activity, balance |
| Asthma | 23 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, pollen count |
| Breast cancer | 3 M | Ultrasound Self-Exam -->Web |
| COPD | 10 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, oximetry |
| Depression | 21 M | Med Compliance, Activity, Communication |
| Diabetes | 24 M | Glucose, Hemoglobin, A1C |
| Heart Failure | 5 M | Cardiac pressures, weight, BP, fluid status |
| Hypertension | 74 M | Continuous BP, Med compliance |
| Obesity | 80 M | Smart Scales, Glucose, Caloric in/out, Activity |
| Sleep Disorders | 40 M | Sleep phases, quality, apnea, vital signs |
| Source: Presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. | ||
You can view his entire presentation below.
CCW Commentary: Innovations like these flourish in an environment that encourages investment and rewards creativity. This is one example of medical science meeting wireless broadband technology to enhance people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in their own health care in the 21st century. If we encourage investment and limit needless government restrictions, the possibilities for the health care industry and others are endless.
In addition, he recently did a question and answer session with the San Diego Union-Tribute, which can be viewed here.