-
Topics
Subnavigation
Topics
Electromagnetic fields
- What are electromagnetic fields?
- High-frequency fields
- Radiation protection in mobile communication
- Static and low-frequency fields
- Radiation protection relating to the expansion of the national grid
- Radiation protection in electromobility
- The Competence Centre for Electromagnetic Fields
Optical radiation
- What is optical radiation?
- UV radiation
- Visible light
- Infrared radiation
- Application in medicine and wellness
- Application in daily life and technology
Ionising radiation
- What is ionising radiation?
- Radioactivity in the environment
- Where does radioactivity occur in the environment?
- Natural radiation in Germany
- Air, soil and water
- Radon
- Foodstuffs
- What radionuclides can be found in food?
- Natural radioactivity in food
- Radiation exposure via food intake
- Natural radionuclides in brazil nuts
- Radiation exposure of mushrooms and game
- Radiation exposure due to natural radionuclides in drinking water
- Natural radionuclides in mineral waters
- Building materials
- Relics
- Industrial residues (NORM)
- BfS laboratories
- Applications in medicine
- Applications in daily life and in technology
- Radioactive radiation sources in Germany
- Register high-level radioactive radiation sources
- Type approval procedure
- Items claiming to provide beneficial effects of radiation
- Cabin luggage security checks
- Radioactive materials in watches
- Ionisation smoke detectors (ISM)
- Radiation effects
- What are the effects of radiation?
- Effects of selected radioactive materials
- Consequences of a radiation accident
- Cancer and leukaemia
- Hereditary radiation damage
- Individual radiosensitivity
- Epidemiology of radiation-induced diseases
- Ionising radiation: positive effects?
- Radiation protection
- Nuclear accident management
- Service offers
-
The BfS
Subnavigation
The BfS
- About us
- Science and research
- Laws and regulations
- Radiation Protection Act
- Ordinance on Protection against the Harmful Effects of Ionising Radiation
- Ordinance on Protection against the Harmful Effects of Non-ionising Radiation in Human Applications (NiSV)
- Frequently applied legal provisions
- Handbook nuclear safety and radiation protection
- Dose coefficients to calculate radiation exposure
- Links
Tips for users of smartphones and tablets
Just like classic mobile phones, smartphones use high frequency electromagnetic fields to transmit speech and data. Besides mobile communication connections, smartphones can usually also make use of Wireless Lan (wi-fi).
This is similarly the case for tablets: They use high frequency fields for wi-fi connections and often also have mobile communications inbuilt.
Smartphones, mobile phones and tablets using the LTE or 5G standard emit less radiation
Modern mobile communications devices have an advantage over older models: They often transmit using LTE standard, or more recently also using 5G standard. Compared to the GSM standard, these standards generate lower levels of electromagnetic fields when forming connections.
GSM standard uses maximum power when setting up the call. Thereafter, the device regulates itself to the necessary transmission power. When using LTE or 5G standard, the mobile communications device operates in precisely the opposite way. It begins making the connection using the lowest transmission power and then increases it to the necessary power.
According to the current status of science and technology, there are no health risks posed by mobile communications. However, the technology is still too new for a conclusive judgement of long-term effects. All questions relating to the effects on children have likewise not yet been conclusively answered. Therefore the Federal Office for Radiation Protection supports further research in these areas and advises users not to disregard precautionary measures.
Take note of low SAR values when purchasing
Taking note of low SAR values when purchasing can reduce individual exposure. The BfS gathers information on the SAR values of all mobile communication devices that are available on the market (mobile phones, Smartphones and tablets). A device is considered to be low-radiation up to a SAR value of 0.5 watts per kilogram for the use case "holding the phone right next to the ear during a call". 41 per cent of currently available smartphones can be classified as "low-radiation" regarding this use case. SAR values of mobile communications devices currently on the market are published at www.bfs.de/sar-werte-handy.
The table also shows the SAR values for operation of the device on the body (body worn). The SAR value, as given by the manufacturer, is supplemented by the relevant measurement distance. The highest SAR value of 2 watts per kilogram must also be maintained during operation of the device on the body. Formerly the measurement norm enabled a measurement distance of up to 2.5 cm. In everyday life, however, smaller distances than 2.5 cm between body surface and device occur very often. According to the European standard EN 62209-2 the manufacturers determine the SAR values for the use case "Wearing the phone on the body at a standardised distance of 0.5 cm. Therefore, the values for the respective use cases can be compared with each other.
When tablets have mobile communications inbuilt, they must likewise comply with the SAR limit value.
Lowering individual radiation exposure
Through our own behaviour, we can reduce our exposure to radiation in daily life. Besides the Recommendation for making telephone calls on mobile phones, there are special tips for the new applications that are offered by smartphones and tablets:
- Make calls using a headset. This applies to smartphones as well as to classic mobile phones.
- Surfing on the internet and accessing e-mails should if possible be done only when there is good reception or using wi-fi. Wi-fi networks usually have a lower transmission power than the mobile communication standards GSM, LTE or 5G.
- Access e-mails manually only when necessary.
- Avoid receiving e-mails during a telephone call. If you wish to keep your personal radiation exposure particularly low, switch off background data traffic.
- If you carry your smartphone on your body, take care to observe the minimum isolation distance given by the manufacturer. Use the carrying accessories supplied with it.
- When surfing the internet with your tablet or smartphone, take care to maintain sufficient distance from your body. Exposure to high frequency fields is reduced significantly with increasing distance.
- When purchasing, look out for the lowest possible SAR value.
Smartphones and tablets for children?
It is particularly important to minimise children's exposure to radiation. They are still developing and could therefore react more sensitively in terms of health.
Recommendations especially for children and young people
Deactivate "data transfer via mobile communications". This leaves your child able to receive calls and play games offline while on the move. If playing games online on the smartphone or tablet is absolutely desirable, this should be done at home via a wi-fi connection. The duration of play should be kept within limits not only for reasons of radiation protection.
State of 2023.07.15