Possible Effects of Cellular Phone Radiation Chieh Wu Ashwin Krishnaswamy Steve Catino Chris Susini...

Possible Effects of Cellular Phone Radiation

Chieh Wu

Ashwin Krishnaswamy

Steve Catino

Chris Susini Kenny Watt

How many people today use a cell phone?

• Over 500 million people are cellular phone users

• Over 30 percent are under the age of 21

Global Users of Cellular Phones

0

100

200

300

400

500

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Us

ers

(m

illio

ns

)

Reasons we use a cellular phone

• Business Calls

• Personal Calls

• Emergency Calls

Cellular Radiation

• Type of electromagnetic radiation

• Similar to that found in microwave ovens

• Measured in units of SAR

What is an SAR rating?

• Measured in W/kg

• Found in the manual

• Lowest in the market is 0.2 W/kg

• Highest allowed is 1.6 W/kg

• Specific Absorption Rate

• Measurement of radiation

Major effects of radiation

• Causes genetic damages in cells

• Precursor to cancer

• Increases risk of brain tumors

• Kills red blood cells

Minor Effects of radiation

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Short-term memory loss

• Difficulty in concentration

Structure and function

• The radiation comes from the antenna

• During use, the antenna location determines the amount of radiation absorbed.

• Two types of phones– Analog – Digital

Digital vs. Analog

• Digital– More features

– Enhanced sound quality

– Lower SAR rating

• Analog– More availability

– Cost effective

– Higher SAR rating

Convenience or 21st Century Plague?

• Industry response

• Popular opinion

• Current status

Research

• Old Research focus: Analog Phones Short-Term Effects Entire Body

• New Research focus:

All Cell Phones

Long-Term Effects

Specific Parts of the

Body

New Technology

Radiation Shield on Cell PhonesRadiation Shield on Cell Phones

Radiation Pattern Without Shield

Radiation Pattern With Shield

Recommendations

• Choose cell phone by SAR rating

• Use a microphone or an earpiece

• Limit cell phone usage

• Use an RF shield (Zeropa)

SAR RATINGS OF CELL PHONESManufacturer

Model number

FCC ID: SAR Analog SAR Digital

Audiovox PCX-1100XLCKLHGP-3000E 1.48 -----------------

Denso TP 2200 LXC-E220 1.37 1.44

Ericsson KF788 &CF788 AXATR-387-A2 1.56 1.35

Mitsubishi T250 & MT254BGBMT254XFOR6A 1.29 0.54

Motorola M3097 IHDT56ZM1 1.45 0.53

Motorola V-8160 IHDY65ZS1 1.51 1.3

Nokia 6185 GMLNSD-3AX 1.53 1.07

Sanyo SCP4000 AEZSCP-4K 1.4434  ----------------

Samsung SCH-411 A3LSCH411 1.4785 1.0747

SonyCMB-1200,2200,3200 L5ACMDB-3 1.3859 1.3906

Any questions?