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Analyses of some call factors affecting SAR levels of GSM mobile phones used in Ghana

Radiation protection dosimetry · 2022 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 643

SAR from regulator-approved and untested/unapproved GSM phones was measured using a ComoSAR system. Maximum measured SAR values were 0.51 W/kg (10 g) and 0.99 W/kg (1 g), reported as 25–26% of ICNIRP 10 g SAR basic restriction and 62% of the FCC 1 g SAR limit…

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiation protection dosimetry · 2022
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Analyses of some call factors affecting SAR levels of GSM mobile phones used in Ghana Osei S, Amoako JK, Sam F, Onyekwere P, Kudozia RY. ANALYSES OF SOME CALL FACTORS AFFECTING SAR LEVELS OF GSM MOBILE PHONES USED IN GHANA. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2022 Nov 1:ncac206. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncac206. Abstract In response to mounting radiofrequency health concerns, this study was constituted to provide critical scientific data and assess any potential exposure from global system for mobile communication mobile phones. Specific absorption rate (SAR) from phones approved by the regulator and untested/unapproved phones were measured with a ComoSAR system. The maximum 10 g SAR (0.51 W/kg) and 1 g SAR (0.99 W/kg) measured were 25 and 62% of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and Federal Communication Commission limits, respectively. The approved phone produced statistically significant higher SAR values relative to the untested phone. SAR values of the right ear were relatively higher. All maximum SAR values were recorded on the right ear. The regulatory approval status of the phone, phone's orientation to the head, operating frequency channel and in which ear (right or left) the phone is used influenced the SAR measured. The SAR values of the approved phone compared favourably with similar studies while the unapproved phone does not. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusions The study has revealed that, the regulatory approval status of the GSM mobile phone, the head side of the ear (left or right ear), the orientation of the phone when placed on the ear (left or tilt) and the transmitting frequency channel deployed during phone calls do have a significant impact on the SAR levels of the mobile phone. The SAR levels generally complied with the ICNIRP 10 g SAR basic restriction and the FCC 1 g SAR limit. The highest measured 10 g SAR of 0.51 W/kg is 26% of the ICNIRP basic restriction, and the maximum 1 g SAR of 0.99 W/kg is 62% of the FCC limit. These results generally agree with those recorded in Morga et al.(14) but are higher than that of Mahfouz et al.(16). The 1 g SAR at all times exceeded its counterpart 10 g SAR at all reference phone positions as its evaluation involved averaging over 1 g volume of tissue as compared to averaging over 10 g volume of the tissue for the 10 g SAR. SAR levels of the approved phone were statistically significantly higher compared to the unapproved phone at all reference phone positions with the exception of RCL position. Possible reasons included the difference in phone antenna type, different antenna positions in the mobile phone and also the different brands of phones used. The right ear produced higher SAR relative to the left ear, which may be due to the differences in positioning of the phone antenna relative to the ear when used at the right ear and left ear. Specifically, all maximum SAR values occurred at the right ear. HEP SAR were relatively lower than the approved phone SAR even though agreeing with that of SAR unapproved phones. The approved phone measured SAR agreed with similar works done elsewhere but not in the case of the unapproved.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment
Effect directionunclear
PopulationNot supplied
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 0.99 W/kg
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

SAR from regulator-approved and untested/unapproved GSM phones was measured using a ComoSAR system. Maximum measured SAR values were 0.51 W/kg (10 g) and 0.99 W/kg (1 g), reported as 25–26% of ICNIRP 10 g SAR basic restriction and 62% of the FCC 1 g SAR limit, respectively. Approved phones produced statistically significantly higher SAR than untested/unapproved phones; right-ear use and phone orientation/frequency channel influenced measured SAR, with all maximum SAR values recorded on the right ear.

Outcomes measured

  • 10 g SAR (W/kg)
  • 1 g SAR (W/kg)
  • Differences in SAR by regulatory approval status (approved vs untested/unapproved)
  • Differences in SAR by ear side (right vs left)
  • Differences in SAR by phone orientation to head
  • Differences in SAR by operating frequency channel

Limitations

  • Sample size and specific phone models/brands not stated in the provided abstract text
  • Operating frequency values not reported in the provided abstract text
  • No health outcomes assessed; study focuses on SAR measurement and influencing factors
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 0.99,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "10 g SAR (W/kg)",
    "1 g SAR (W/kg)",
    "Differences in SAR by regulatory approval status (approved vs untested/unapproved)",
    "Differences in SAR by ear side (right vs left)",
    "Differences in SAR by phone orientation to head",
    "Differences in SAR by operating frequency channel"
  ],
  "main_findings": "SAR from regulator-approved and untested/unapproved GSM phones was measured using a ComoSAR system. Maximum measured SAR values were 0.51 W/kg (10 g) and 0.99 W/kg (1 g), reported as 25–26% of ICNIRP 10 g SAR basic restriction and 62% of the FCC 1 g SAR limit, respectively. Approved phones produced statistically significantly higher SAR than untested/unapproved phones; right-ear use and phone orientation/frequency channel influenced measured SAR, with all maximum SAR values recorded on the right ear.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size and specific phone models/brands not stated in the provided abstract text",
    "Operating frequency values not reported in the provided abstract text",
    "No health outcomes assessed; study focuses on SAR measurement and influencing factors"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "mobile phones",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "ComoSAR",
    "ICNIRP",
    "FCC",
    "regulatory approval",
    "ear side",
    "phone orientation",
    "frequency channel",
    "Ghana"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Compares measured SAR values to ICNIRP basic restriction and FCC limit."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac206
PubMed: 36321330

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