New Delhi: France has banned the sale of iPhone 12 due to alleged excessive electromagnetic radiation levels, which supposedly exceed European Union (EU) exposure standards.
The French radiation regulatory body, Agence Nationale des Frequences (ANFR), revealed that the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of this model, measuring radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body from the device, surpasses the legal limit.
ANFR conducted tests on 141 mobile phones, establishing that when the iPhone 12 is either held in hand or carried in a pocket, it registers electromagnetic energy absorption at 5.74 watts per kilogram, exceeding the EU standard of 4 watts per kilogram. ANFR suggests that a software update could resolve this issue since the device’s operation, influenced by apps and other running information, affects its hardware performance.
Jean-Noel Barrot, the French Minister responsible for digital affairs, acknowledged that while iPhone 12 radiation levels surpass EU standards, they remain notably lower than those deemed perilous by scientific studies.
SAR, which stands for Specific Absorption Rate, quantifies the energy dose absorbed by the body from any radiation source. It is measured in watts per kilogram of body weight and is a result of how devices transmit radiofrequency waves, creating electromagnetic fields.
Unlike X-rays or gamma rays, which arise from radioactive decay and have the potential to break chemical bonds or induce changes in cellular structures leading to harm such as cancer, phones emit non-ionizing radiation. This type of radiation generates heat in body tissues, and excessive exposure above prescribed limits can result in severe health consequences like burns or heat stroke, according to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), an organization that establishes global radiation limits.
Apple rebuts ANFR’s allegations, asserting that the iPhone 12 has received certification from numerous international bodies as being in compliance with global radiation standards. The technology giant intends to challenge ANFR’s assertions and will continue engaging with the agency to demonstrate its adherence to these standards.