SAR Values for Mobile Phones
SAR stands for specific energy absorption rate. The SAR value of a mobile phone is the maximum amount of transmitted power the body will absorb during the use of the mobile device. The legal limit is 2 watts per kilogram body tissue, which is in line with the recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). All mobile phones sold in Germany and Europe must comply with the SAR limit.
How are exposure limits determined?
In order to guarantee that mobile phones, smartphones or tablet PCs can be used all the time without adverse health effects, legislation has prescribed protection limits. These exposure limits are based on current research and establish the maximum limit for transmitted power.
Which exposure limits for mobile communications apply in Germany?
German law circumscribes limits to mobile communications to protect the population from potential danger. These exposure limits have been embodied in the 26th Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act (Ordinance on electromagnetic fields – Verordnung über elektromagnetische Felder zum Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz – 26 BImSchV), which came into force on 1 January 1997.
What are the exposure limits for mobile communications in other countries?
Many countries have legal provisions similar to Germany’s in order to regulate the maximum strength of high-frequency electromagnetic fields used for mobile communications. Most of these limits are based on the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
What is the SAR value for mobile phones and base stations?
High-frequency electromagnetic fields penetrate the human body at a depth of a few millimetres to a few centimetres. The body tissue absorbs their energy and transforms it into heat. This is called the thermal effect.
How strong are the electromagnetic fields of mobile phone base stations?
In order to protect the public’s health from the effects of electromagnetic fields, German legislation has prescribed protection limits for base stations. These limits are based on recommendations by national and international expert committees and have been embodied in the 26th Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act (Ordinance on electromagnetic fields – Verordnung über elektromagnetische Felder zum Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz – 26 BImSchV).
How is compliance with the emission limits for mobile phone base stations checked?
In Germany, legally binding framework regulations guarantee that electromagnetic fields – emissions – from mobile phone base stations remain within legal limits. These limits are set out in the 26th Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act (Ordinance on electromagnetic fields – Verordnung über elektromagnetische Felder zum Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz – 26 BImSchV), which thus provides the legal basis for the operation of all mobile phone networks.
Mobile phone recycling saves resources and benefits the environment
Recycling mobile phones helps protect the environment as well as save expensive and rare resources. Thanks to innovative technologies, up to 80 percent of the materials in used phones, including precious metals such as gold and silver, can be recycled. Correct recycling helps the environment in two ways: it allows valuable raw materials to be retrieved and also prevents mobile phones from damaging the environment with harmful substances when disposed of in household waste.
How mobile telephony takes into consideration the issues of environmental und landscape protection
Every modern technology must be consistent with the interests of environmental protection. This is a significant outcome of the public debate that has been taking place over the past decades. Wide public acceptance is a prerequisite for the launch and further development of any technology.
What are electromagnetic fields?
Electromagnetic fields consist of electric and magnetic fields. They are created when electric currents and tensions change, forming an electromagnetic wave that spreads. This wave transports energy.