Answer to Question #10832 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Cell Phones, Radiofrequency Radiation, Powerline Fields — Cell Phones

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

What type of instrument can be used to measure radiofrequency (RF) exposure from a cell phone? This is for a fifth grade science experiment, so hopefully it's an inexpensive tool.

A

Unfortunately this is not something that a fifth grade science experiment can replicate. The measurement for the absorption of energy to the human body is in Watts per kg or the energy deposited per unit mass. In the instances of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measurements from cell phones all of the equipment necessary to conduct these tests is quite expensive and costs perhaps as much as $1,000,000. The Federal Communications Commission normally provides the results of cellular phones and this can be searched on its website under “cell phones and SAR.” You can view a video that provides a great explanation as to how SAR testing is performed.

While the actual testing of the SAR from a cell phone is done with an electric field probe and computer modeling, at its basic foundation this is a very fancy calorimeter. Perhaps as a substitute to measuring the RF exposure from a cell phone you could conduct an experiment in measuring the heat absorption from a source and equate to the students how this is essentially accomplishing the same goal as the SAR testing for a cell phone.

Drew Thatcher, CHP

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 30 October 2013. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.