Can Cell Phone Cases "Reduce Radiation Exposure"?
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We recently received the following question in the comment section of “Why I Chose to Ban Cell Phones From the Bedroom.” For some insight, I reached out to one of the foremost experts on (and critics of) electromagnetic radiation, Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., who is the Director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.
I was (once again) surprised and a bit dismayed by his response. However, I thought it was important to share it with you here.
Do you have any input or thoughts/reviews on the phone cases that are supposed to reduce radiation exposure – i.e. Pong, SafeSleeve, Defender, etc.? I’m case shopping now and looking for objective input! Thank you!
While they don’t specifically answer your question about whether cell phone cases reduce radiation exposure, these two posts on the EMR Safety web site pertain to EMF blocking cell devices and are a good place to start.
According to Dr. Moskowitz, although some cell phone cases have been subjected to SAR testing in independent labs, he suspects the SAR test does not provide a good simulation of how people use cell phones (or who uses them). Moreover, the SAR level may not even be a valid measure of the potential harm that a cell phone can do to you.
Moskowitz says that one of the companies mentioned in the question solicited his input several years ago. The case supposedly redirects radiation away from the user. However, Moskowitz says he sent the manufacturer a list of follow-up questions, but they refused to answer them unless he signed a nondisclosure agreement. For example, if the nearest cell tower is on the opposite side of your body from where the phone is located, will the phone boost its output to compensate?
Basically, phones need clear access to infrastructure to work. Anything that impedes can just complicate that.
See the EMR Safety tip sheet for recommendations on how to reduce wireless radiation exposure.
Bottom line, limit exposure… which I realize is totally easier said than done for most of us!