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Measurements of mobile telephone radiation

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As a regulatory authority, STUK carries out the surveillance of the safety of mobile phones on the market by  spot-check testing different phone models. The tests were begun in the spring of 2003.

The tests measure the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of the mobile telephones. The SAR value shows how much heat energy is absorbed in the head area from the mobile phone. The tests carried out by STUK ensure that the maximum value of two watts per kilo as set in the Decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is not exceeded. The SAR value, specifically, is measured in the case of mobile phones because it is the best indicator of exposure of the user to radiation. When the SAR value is not more than two watts per kilo, tissues are not heated significantly.

The manufacturer of a mobile telephone must ensure that the SAR value is below the permitted limit before the model is brought onto the market. STUK ensures that the SAR values of telephone models on the market do not exceed the confirmed maximum values. Additionally, STUK wants the general public to have reliable, comparable data about the radiation characteristics of mobile (tele)phones on the market.



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In radiation tests, STUK measures SAR with a testing system which is in compliance with the International IEC 62209-1 standard. The measurements are done only with the systems, which are used in Finland (GSM900, GSM1800 and UMTS). In the test, it is presumed that the measured SAR value is at least as high as the maximum exposure in an actual situation. For the duration of the test, the mobile phone operates at its maximum power. The technology used in the phone, different user settings, and the anatomic features of the user’s head, both children’s and adults’ are taken into account when testing.

The phones to be measured are chosen randomly; primarily from the top-selling models. The tests are technically very demanding and time-consuming; hence about 15 models are measured annually.

You can reduce your exposure

The SAR values of mobile phones on the market are reported by the manufacturers to be below the maximum permitted values. If, however, you wish to reduce exposure to yourself or those close to you, it is helpful to know that 

  • Information about the most radiation possible (as a SAR value) is given with new phones.
  • You can stop radiation exposure to the head by using a hands free device.
  • Even a small distance between the telephone and body reduces exposure significantly. The exposure is smaller if you for example keep the phone in a separate case on your belt instead of keeping it in your pocket.
  • In an area with weak reception, for example in a closed area, such as a car, the telephone radiates much more powerfully than in an area with a strong reception.
  • So-called mobile telephone radiation shields do not reduce exposure significantly.

Tested mobile phones at STUK:

Telephone model

SAR (W/kg) measured by
STUK

SAR (W/kg) reported by
manufacturer

LG
LG C11001,001,12
LG KF6000,440,471
LG KG1101,120,728
LG KG2750,960,956
LG KU2501,231,24
LG L31001,230,30
Motorola
Motorola C1390,870,97
Motorola C2000,800,78

Motorola C350

0,54

0,90

Motorola C5500,790,71
Motorola C6500,560,87
Motorola F30,540,72
Motorola L61,131,33
Motorola T1910,961,01

Motorola V150

0,56

0,67

Motorola V1800,770,87
Motorola W1800,610,51
Nokia
Nokia 11000,680,67
Nokia 11120,650,78
Nokia 16000,620,82

Nokia 2100

0,55

0,55

Nokia 26000,530,80
Nokia 26100,580,56
Nokia 26300,650,70
Nokia 26500,480,54
Nokia 27200,680,96
Nokia 27600,820,97

Nokia 3100

0,63

0,76

Nokia 32000,550,56
Nokia 32200,590,78

Nokia 3310

0,91

0,96

Nokia 3510

0,58

0,66

Nokia 3720 Classic0,510,48
Nokia 51000,470,48
Nokia 51400,860,77
Nokia 60210,370,72
Nokia 60300,620,70
Nokia 60600,650,77
Nokia 60850,711,15

Nokia 6100

0,61

0,60

Nokia 61030,480,75
Nokia 61510,841,02
Nokia 62200,650,66
Nokia 62700,280,74
Nokia 6600i0,330,35

Nokia 6610

0,97

0,63

Nokia 66300,690,83
Nokia 6700 Classic0,290,41
Nokia 68100,870,82
Nokia 68220,710,67
Nokia 9500 Communicator0,270,49
Nokia E510,971,47
Nokia E520,811,05
Nokia E650,530,87
Nokia E710,531,33
Nokia E720,731,31
Nokia N701,010,95
Nokia N730,851,12
Nokia N-Gage QD0,480,57
Nu:fone
Nu:fone Two0,69-
Samsung
Samsung C30500,480,709
Samsung GT-SC52300,700,531
Samsung SGH-A8000,880,96
Samsung SGH-B1000,770,91

Samsung SGH-C100

0,74

0,60

Samsung SGH-E3301,170,90
Samsung SGH-L7600,780,554
Samsung SGH-X1000,540,76
Samsung SGH-X2000,870,74
Samsung SGH-X3000,390,58

Samsung SGH-X450

1,13

0,98

Samsung SGH-X460

0,79

0,846

Samsung SGH-X510

0,770,781

Samsung SGH-X680

0,590,801

Samsung SGH-X820

1,150,639

Samsung SGH-Z540

0,380,54
Siemens

Siemens A55

0,45

0,56

Siemens A600,750,67
Siemens A650,280,49
Siemens A700,350,52

Siemens CF62

0,750,75

Siemens M55

0,800,64

Siemens MC60

0,60

0,67

Siemens ME45

1,12

0,98

SonyEricsson
SonyEricsson F3050,650,67
SonyEricsson J230i0,700,98
SonyEricsson J300i1,311,02

SonyEricsson K500i

0,530,53
SonyEricsson T2300,500,74

SonyEricsson T310

0,53

0,61

SonyEricsson T630

0,850,88
SonyEricsson W200i0,720,81
SonyEricsson W300i1,031,20
SonyEricsson W350i1,411,46
SonyEricsson Z2000,770,94
SonyEricsson Z3000,900,75
SonyEricsson Z310i0,430,7
Average0,710,79
Maximum1,411,47
Minimum0,270,30


Page updated 27/07/2010
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