The BfS recommends low SAR values for mobile phones

Everyone is talking about 5G – and this trend will continue into Christmas. That's because "Smart" gifts under the Christmas tree are well received across all generations. And increasingly more devices are being equipped with the new mobile communications standard – 5G.

But in order ensure that only the eyes of loved ones – and not the Christmas gifts – radiate, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) advises people to make sure that the devices they buy have a low SAR value and are thus low in radiation.

Smartphones and tablets use high-frequency electromagnetic fields to transmit speech and data. Because the devices are operated close to the body (especially the head), some of the field energy is absorbed in the form of heat. The specific absorption rate (SAR) serves as a measure of energy absorption. It is measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg).

In a list published on the internet, the BfS provides a comprehensive overview of the SAR values of common tablet and smartphone models. The list has been regularly updated since 2002 and contains numerous models with 5G function.

When choosing a device, it is important to pay attention to radiation protection

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

"When buying a new device, you should consider not only the technical features – for example, whether the smartphone supports the latest mobile communications standard 5G – but also the aspect of radiation protection", emphasises Inge Paulini, President of the BfS. "With the search function of the SAR list, anyone can – and should – check whether the device being considered would make a low-radiation Christmas gift".

The SAR list of the BfS currently includes 3,744 models from 83 manufacturers. In accordance with international guidelines, the SAR should be no more than 2 W/kg.

Low-radiation devices that meet the partial requirement of the Blue Angel radiation protection criterion "SAR at the head equal to or less than 0.5 W/kg" are also marked with a green symbol in the SAR list.

Limits protect even with the latest mobile phone generation 5G

5G stands for the 5th generation of mobile communications and refers to the change in technical aspects compared with the 4th generation of mobile communications. The frequently encountered term "5G radiation" is therefore misleading because this new radio standard initially uses the old or neighbouring frequency bands of electromagnetic radiation of 3G and 4G mobile radio and Wi-Fi.

"According to the current state of scientific knowledge, there is no confirmed evidence of a causal relationship between the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phone use and human diseases. Even though the technical aspects of 5G are new, the electromagnetic fields used remain the same.

Likewise, the underlying physical and biological mechanisms of action remain the same when these electromagnetic fields are used. Thus, no health effects of 5G can be expected if the limits are complied with", says Paulini.