SAR and Health

SAR: An Unreliable Indicator for Protecting Health

The SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), presented as a safeguard against the risks of mobile phone radiation, suffers from structural shortcomings that make it unfit to protect users’ health. Here’s a look at a failing system, heavily influenced by the recommendations of the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection), a non-independent body criticized for its ties with industry and its refusal to consider the non-thermal effects of radiation.

1. What is SAR?

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) measures the amount of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the human body when exposed to the radiofrequency waves emitted by a device (mobile phone, tablet, smartwatch, etc.). It is expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg). A high SAR means that a greater amount of energy is absorbed by your body.

There has been international scientific consensus since the 1980s regarding the risks related to the heating of human tissues (thermal effects) by mobile phone radiation (microwaves).

However, the non-thermal effects of radiation remain a subject of ongoing debate within the scientific community, under constant pressure from industry lobbying.

2. A History Influenced by ICNIRP

  • 1990s: Introduction of the first SAR regulations by industry-representative organizations (IEEE).
  • 2000s: Establishment of international standards for SAR values based solely on the thermal effects of radiation, following ICNIRP recommendations.
  • 2016 to present: Discovery by Dr. Marc Arazi of widespread deception regarding SAR levels, which allowed manufacturers to overexpose billions of users and endanger their health (Phonegate industrial scandal).

3. The Different Types of SAR

  • Head SAR: Measures exposure at the level of the head during a phone call.
  • Body SAR: Measures exposure when the device is carried close to the body (in pockets).
  • Limb SAR: Measures exposure when the device is in contact with a limb (hand, thigh, armband).

Regulatory limits in Europe are set at 2 W/kg for the head and body (measured over 10 grams of tissue), and 4 W/kg for limbs (10g).

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) limits are 1.6 W/kg for the head and body (measured over 1 gram of tissue) and 4 W/kg for limbs (10g). This standard, stricter than the European regulation (2 W/kg over 10g), has been adopted or adapted by at least 19 countries, including Canada, South Korea, India, Singapore, Mexico, and others.

New in 2025: Since April 2025, the FCC requires that the testing distance for body exposure be 5 mm or less, except for certain specified use cases.

4. How is SAR measured?

The measurement is performed in a laboratory on a SAM mannequin (based on the build of a male American soldier) filled with liquid simulating human tissue. The device is placed at a precise distance (up to 2017, 15–25 mm in Europe, now 5 mm for the body) and operates at full power. SAR is averaged over a mass of tissue (10g in Europe, 1g in the U.S.).

▶ See the explanatory video

5. Major Flaws of the SAR Indicator and Their Health Consequences

a) Unrealistic measurement distances and methods

Measurement at 5 mm (Europe and now FCC) does not reflect real use, which is often in direct contact (0 mm). Since 2020, France has requested measurement in contact, but without success to date.
Averaging SAR “head” and “body” exposure over 10g (Europe/RED directive) or 1g (FCC) masks local absorption peaks, especially under the European standard, and the test duration remains very short compared to real exposure.

Chicago Tribune test results on SAR levels 2 mm from the body

c) Underestimated exposure duration

SAR tests last 6 minutes in Europe (30 minutes in the U.S. for limb SAR), while real exposure can last several hours a day for years.

d) Ignored non-thermal effects

SAR only protects against tissue heating, while non-thermal effects (sleep disorders, fertility issues, cellular alterations) are increasingly documented and directly concern health.

e) Embedded software and test manipulation

Some manufacturers use software capable of detecting test conditions and temporarily reducing emission power, thus skewing official results. This practice is reminiscent of Dieselgate in the automotive industry, where software manipulated pollution tests, and poses a major public health issue.
Since 2022, under our pressure, the ANFR requires manufacturers to provide the keys needed to disable these SAR management programs (proximity sensor, motion sensor, time averaging) to ensure transparency and reliability of measurements. Few manufacturers comply with this obligation, which is only enforced in France.

Table taken from ANFR SAR test reports requesting the manufacturer’s deactivation key for proximity and motion sensors

f) Opacity and regulatory shortcomings

Test reports are often late or missing, updates and withdrawals are insufficient, and sanctions are rare, compromising user health. We have also written to the ministers overseeing ANFR to demand real transparency.

g) Fundamental scientific limitation

SAR only takes into account the electric component of electromagnetic waves and ignores the magnetic component, even though non-thermal biological effects related to the magnetic field are increasingly studied. This major scientific gap further limits the health relevance of the indicator.

h) Health risks

Numerous studies, both animal and epidemiological, have demonstrated risks to male and female fertility (proximity of the phone to reproductive organs), cancer risks—especially brain cancer (glioblastomas, the most severe brain cancers, have quadrupled in 30 years and increased by 230% among 15–39-year-olds according to Santé Publique France).
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (World Health Organization) classified radiofrequency radiation as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B).

6. Alerts from ANSES and the French Objection

In 2019, ANSES recommended in a report known as “Phonegate” that SAR be measured in contact (0 mm) to better protect users’ health. In 2020, France filed a formal objection with the European Commission to impose this change. This request remains without effect as of today (24/06/2025).

7. Connected Devices: A Worrying Blind Spot

The proliferation of connected devices (watches, earbuds, bracelets, child trackers) exposes the public to cumulative and prolonged radiation, without proper control or display of adapted SAR values, representing an additional health risk.

8. Our Blacklist: 62 Dangerous Models

From 2018 to June 2025, Phonegate Alert has identified 60 dangerous mobile phone models exceeding regulatory thresholds during ANFR inspections, and two tablets, some of which remain on the market following a simple software update. Among them are models from major brands such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and Nokia, which do not hesitate to market phones or connected devices exceeding regulatory limits.
👉 See the updated blacklist

9. A Calculator to Know Your Real Exposure

map

SAR Calculator
Phonegate Alert has set up a SAR calculator that adjusts official values according to usage distance and geographic area, allowing everyone to assess their real exposure and better protect their health.
👉 Try the SAR calculator…

Conclusion

Whether under European or American (FCC) regulation, SAR remains an incomplete and misleading indicator: it does not account for real use, cumulative exposure, non-thermal effects, the magnetic component of radiation, or the proliferation of connected devices. No phone or connected object placed on the market with this indicator, regardless of national regulation, can be considered safe for health.

The implementation of this unreliable indicator has mainly allowed manufacturers to prioritize device power and thus good connectivity, at the expense of public health. Worse, faced with fierce industry competition, manufacturers use embedded software to distort regulatory agency controls.

This article will be updated regularly.

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