Apple’s iPhones play an important role in many of our daily lives. They are also creating significant health concerns amid high levels of radiation. The LILA Gazette explains.

By Flora Haberman – 11th grade.

On the twenty third of October 2020, when Apple released the iphone 12, customers knew several things. They knew of a stronger screen made more durable by ceramic, magnetic backing allowing use of varied charging accessories, an OLED display providing thinner, higher pixel resolution. They knew that Apple stores everywhere would offer the iPhone in six eye-catching colors: blue, green, red, white, black, and purple; each splash of vibrance, each new alluring attribute destined to put the iPhone 12’s predecessors to shame. All of it, as usual, an intricate marketing scheme to open the eyes of consumers and place the irresistible in plain sight. 

But what customers did not know remained completely ignored for more than two years until just a few weeks ago, when France halted sales of the iphone 12 and threatened to recall the phone throughout the country. Indeed, the rash response was sparked by findings that the phone was emitting 5.74 watts per kilogram of radiation- significantly exceeding the EU’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg. This has left consumers in France and all over the world wondering whether radiation from iPhones is a health risk that should be considered seriously before choosing to invest in a smart device. 

When examining this issue, it is important to understand the various types of radiation that exist. Ionizing radiation is a form of energy able to remove electrons from atoms and molecules that organisms such as water, air, and living tissue are composed of. When a cell comes into contact with this type of radiation its DNA is easily damaged, leading to disastrous results depending on the dosage of radiation absorbed. Over time, damage caused to genetic material may lead to various cancers and organ failure. Fortunately, in a statement to the New York Times, Dr. Emily Caffrey of the University of Alabama explained that the radiation waves emitted from iPhones are considered non-ionizing, meaning they are too weak to ionize molecules or atoms and cause true health concerns. 

“Related to a specific testing protocol”

Still, while it is true that iPhones and other wireless smart devices instead emit what is known as radio frequency (RF) radiation, a large, uncomfortable gap of uncertainty remains surrounding safety concerns. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have expressed that they are unable to “know for sure if RF radiation from cell phones can cause health problems years later” and acknowledge that radio frequency radiation has been classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer due to a link found between cell phone use and a malignant form of brain cancer. 

Moreover, when looking to Apple’s website for further information on the iPhone 12’s radiation emission levels, the “regulatory information” page only reveals that the device is supposedly in compliance with all radiation limits. The only suggestions given by the company to reduce exposure to RF emissions are to use “hands-free” options such as speakerphone or headphones while making calls and to avoid using certain metal cases that may alter the “RF performance of the device.”  

Apple’s continued public denial of violating any SAR limits with the iPhone 12, claiming that the problematic radiation levels are simply “related to a specific testing protocol” creates a problematic contradiction when data seems to be revealing the opposite. Such voracious negation should be cause for customers to pause and examine the company’s somewhat suspicious behavior. If the radiation from iPhones is truly considered safe, then why would slightly exceeding the limit be problematic? Why would Apple feel the need to deny the accusations so profusely? In any case, the risk of the unknown with RF radiation is certainly real and is substantial enough to warrant the attention of those owning Apple iPhones. 

Luckily, according to the FDA, some steps can be taken to avoid and reduce RF exposure from iPhones. These include using your device less, holding it further away from your body, and avoiding making calls with a weak signal as this increases RF transmission power. While small, these few tips may actually make a difference in human health and are a wise way to be cautious about the potential unknown harm that radio frequency radiation may be inflicting.