Radiation that emits from smartphones poses a serious threat to our health. What makes it even worse is the fact that most handsets come with radiation levels that are dangerously high. While we have already spoken about devices that emit the most amount of radiation, here, we have listed down some simple steps you can take to limit smartphone radiation exposure. Take a look:

Look out for smartphones with lowest possible SAR value

When we go to buy a new smartphone, we consider a number of things. Whether or not it has a good camera or a gaming performance, or if houses a good battery. One thing we often miss out on is the SAR value of the smartphone. But then, it is one of the most important things that need to be checked before buying a handset as it shows how much radiation a smartphone emits. Different countries have different values of SAR that they consider to be acceptable. The United States and India any value higher than 1.6 watts per kilogram to be dangerous, the European Union allows up to 2 watts per kilogram of SAR level. You can check out our list of smartphones that emit the least radiation here.

Access the internet using Wi-Fi only

Try not to access the internet on your smartphone when it is not connected to the Wi-Fi. While this may sound impossible considering how dependent we are on our smartphones, it can be done to be safe. The reason for this is that Wi-Fi networks usually have lower transmission power as compared to mobile communication standards like UMTS, GSM or LTE.

Your phone shouldn’t be connected to the internet when you are on a call

Most of us want to keep receiving notifications even when we are talking to someone using our smartphone. However, the settings of our smartphone ideally should not allow this. In order to keep personal radiation exposure low, one must switch off background data traffic on their smartphones. You would receive the notifications anyway once you disconnect from the call, so there isn’t much that you are losing out on.

Keep note of the minimum isolation distance

This is something all of us should do since we literally are inseparable from our smartphones. We must check the minimum isolation distance that is given by the manufacturer of our handset and make sure that we maintain that kind of distance from the device. In addition to this, it is always better to carry the smartphone in a bag rather than in pockets to reduce direct contact.

Avoid use when the signal is low

This is extremely important. Try not using your smartphone to make calls when the signal is low or if you are travelling at a high speed via a car or a train. In such cases, the device needs to increase its transmitting power in order to connect to the nearest cell tower. This results in more radiation emitting from your smartphone.

Beware of shielding products

There are various products that claim to “shield” cell phone emissions. Avoid using any of them as they usually interfere with the smartphone’s signal and this may lead it to draw even more power and can cause it to emit even more radiation. This happens because the device has to work harder to get signals.

Use a Bluetooth headset whenever possible

One of the most obvious and simple things that you can do is to not to use your smartphone directly. If you start using a headset that can be connected to your device via Bluetooth for making calls, you’ll be at a safe distance from your smartphone at all times. This will ensure that your direct contact with the device is far lesser than what it is otherwise. Remember that you are the most exposed to radiation when your smartphone is directly placed against your head.

Text more, talk less

One of the best things that millennials do is text instead of call. If you haven’t adapted to that culture already, just do that already. It lets you communicate using your smartphone without placing it on your ear, so you are safe and at the same time, you are not missing out on any conversation.

Use your device with Bluetooth speaker

If texting is not your thing and you don’t like the idea of using a headset, buy yourself a Bluetooth speaker. When you are at home, you can connect your smartphone to it and talk using the speaker. It is a clever way of using your smartphone without being in contact with it.

Say yes to Airplane mode

Whenever your smartphone is not in use, make sure you enable the Airplane Mode on it. If you cannot do that any have to keep it on even at night, then at least keep it at a distance from your head or body. The handset continued to emit radiation even when it is not being used to make calls.

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