Most of the users are familiar with the term SAR but very few understand the real meaning of it. SAR is a term related to mobile phone specifications and it is one among the recent topics of discussions. SAR is the abbreviation of Specific Absorption Rate and it is the measurement of quantity of electromagnetic radiation taken up by the body. A mobile phone with higher SAR means, extra radiation is taken in by the body tissues.

Recommendations of International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP Guidelines 1998) are adopted by the European Union Council. These recommendations suggest a limit for SAR. Considering the recommendations, the limit set is 2.0 W/kg in 10g of tissue in the Europe. This limit is approved by the UK Government and 5 mobile phone network operators have decided to accept the ICNIRP guidelines for public exposure. Mobile phones in the UK markets approve to this set limit.

Internet Association (CTIA) and Cellular Telecommunications in the USA requires the mobile phones to abide by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) SAR limit. The SAR limit set by the commission is of 1.6 W/kg in 1g of tissue. Accurate SAR values are hard to find. Even the data collected from the reliable sources will have certain differences and the values cannot be relied on completely.

Mobile phones in the UK markets abide by the ICNIRP guidelines. However, the SAR values for one mobile phone differ from the other. In most cases, maximum SAR values are displayed but in reality the emissions are relatively lower than the displayed figures. Factors like remoteness from a communication pole, outdoors or indoors locations and distance of the phone to the ear determines the emission rates. Similarly, a low SAR may operate with comparatively higher emissions.

Steps to reduce effects of phone radiation

- Do not keep your mobile phone too close to your ears
- Avoid using mobile phones frequently for making calls
- Send messages instead of calls as often as possible
- Refrain from using mobile phone when the signal is poor
- Make phone calls outdoors and avoid making calls in smaller rooms
- Don't keep the device close to your head, breasts, testicles, eyes as well as the internal organs
- Pregnant woman should not use mobile phone
- When not using, switch off the mobile phone