There are certain things we have grown to accept in our modern era. Everybody walking around with a lithium-ion battery that if damaged could explode is one such thing.

Another thing we’ve seemingly grown to accept is that smartphones emit radiation. While cellphones were vilified when they first hit the market for ploughing radiation at our skulls, that concern eventually waned as regulations sought to protect consumers.

But now it appears as if those regulations are being flouted.

This follows a report by the Chicago Tribune in which it was found that certain models of Samsung and Apple smartphones were emitting higher levels of radiation than is permitted by the Federal Communications Commission in the US.

The publication worked with RF Exposure Lab and all tests were conducted according to FCC rules and guidelines. The Tribune conducted tests at 2mm and 15mm away from a human body (or rather a medium that represents the body) and found that a large number of devices were emitting radiation well over the limits put in place by the FCC.

Among the phones that came in below the FCC standard were the Samsung Galaxy S9, S8 and J3 but these were tested quite a distance from a human body. When that gap was closed Samsung’s smartphones emitted much more radiation than is acceptable according to regulations.

Apple also had its devices tested with only the iPhone 8 coming in under the radiation limits and the iPhone 7s emitting higher than acceptable radiation.

However, the commission did tell the Tribune that its testing was not as comprehensive as tests done for the purpose of a compliance report. Despite this, the FCC clearly saw some thing compelling as it has said that it would investigation some of the smartphone models tested.

While we encounter radiation every day in some form or another, there is still a sizeable gap when it comes to our understanding of how pocket-sized tech affects our health.

With the FCC now looking into this matter we do wonder what the next few months could hold for smartphone makers, at least in the US. Folks have long lamented the radiation emitted by these devices and something tells us that the fact some manufacturers are going above regulations may not sit well with consumers.

[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]