SAR or Specific Absorption Rate

What is SAR or Specific Absorption Rate ?

     SAR or Specific Absorption Rate is referred to rate of energy absorbed per unit mass of human body when it is exposed to radio frequencies. It's unit is W/kg or Watts per kilogram. Mobile phones also emit such waves of different levels of SAR value. Therefore, it is especially considered to buy a mobile handset with safe level of SAR value because during the use of mobile phone, it remains near to human head and thus human head is exposed to RF energy emitted by handset. Exposure of human bodies to RF energy may cause adverse biological effects.

What is the maximum SAR value for mobile phones as per Indian Standards ?

      It is 1.6 W/kg. Telecom Department of Government of India had revised SAR value standard for mobile phones last year. Telecom Department made it mandatory that all mobile phones with reduced SAR value of upto 1.6 kg W/kg will be allowed to manufacture or import in India w.e.f from 1st Sept., 2013. It is also directed to all manufacturers to display SAR value information on Mobile Handsets like IMEI number. However, different manufacturers provide SAR value information of mobile phones on their respective websites also. To check SAR level of your phone handset, dial *#07# from your mobile phone handset.

To reduce effect of SAR, following steps are useful ;

1. Keep mobile handset away from body during call, use ear-phones or bluetooth as much as possible.

2. When mobile signals are weak, do not use hanset because in such case mobile handset emits more powerful radiation to search signals.
3. Purchase a mobile handset having safe level of SAR value. Ask seller to make available information related to SAR of particular handset you want to buy.
4. Avoid voice calls as much as possible, do more text and prefer landline phones over mobile phones.
5. Use mobile handsets for short durations as much as possible.