How Much Do You Know About Your Cell Phone?

How cautious are you when using a cell phone? Have you ever experienced ear pain or headaches during or after a phone call? Have you considered what may be the possible causes? According to the user guide of my service provider, Cricket Wireless, the current model I use "meets the government's requirements for exposure to radio waves" (Cricket EZ User Guide, p. 17). This exposure rate or unit of measurement is referred to as the "Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR. The SAR limit set by the FCC is 1.6 W/Kg" (p. 18). Yet, a further statement also asserts, "While there may be differences between the SAR levels of various phones and at various positions, they all meet the governmental requirements for safe exposure" (p. 18). So, what does this mean? At what point are cell phone users being exposed to higher levels of radiation that exceed the government requirements?

I am no longer able to hold my current cell phone to my ear as I have experienced sharp ear pain and headaches whenever it is in use. Yet, I do not experience this with other cell phones or landlines. Therefore, is it me or is it the phone? Based on my recent interaction with the company, they stated it is me, my "preference" and my "discomfort". This conclusion was made by the store customer service person and her manager speaking on my phone for a couple minutes. As a result of this "assessment" they determined there is nothing wrong with the product. Therefore, I was welcomed to purchase a more expensive phone or other company products. Was this an adequate "assessment"?

You may have seen a commercial on television that states once your hearing is affected there is no way to reverse the harm done. Therefore, it is important to increase our awareness of how to use cell phones in a manner where our hearing and health are not negatively impacted. First, read the manual and learn about the service provider. Explore whether the government standards are properly followed by the company. Furthermore, read the comments of other consumers to learn if customer service is neglectful or responsive. Second, keep in mind that when your phone is in the "on" position that it is still emitting radiation. Therefore, when carrying it on your body, use a carrying case to decrease your level of exposure. Third, limit the amount of time you spend conversing on the phone. This is definitely a concern for the adolescent population who may use the cell phone for an extended period of time. This results in prolonged periods of exposure to radiation that is emitted. Fourth, seek to use an earpiece to distance yourself from the level of radiation. Overall, it is important to take steps to protect your health and to continue to make difficulties known to the service providers, which may lead to the development of improved products.