The Chicago Tribune has claimed that certain Apple and Samsung smartphones are emitting higher radiation levels than FCC allowed limits. The tribune conducted these tests with the help of an FCC-certified radiation testing RF Exposure Lab in California, which concluded that Apple's iPhone 7, iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, and Galaxy S9, and Galaxy J3 emitted radiation levels beyond the FCC's limits.
The FCC handset RF exposure limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over one gram of human tissue. The Chicago Tribune’s tests of the iPhone 7 showed results ranging from as low as 2.47 W/kg to as high as 7.15 W/kg. These tests were conducted by keeping the phones 2mm away from the body, which is closer than Apple’s testing distance of 5 mm from the body.
The FCC commented that it would be conducting an investigation to verify if some of the phone models do indeed transmit RF radiation at higher levels than the agency’s exposure limit.
Apple and Samsung, however, refuted the claims by stating that the Tribune’s testing protocol was not a proper method of assessing iPhones. Apple in a statement said - “After careful review and subsequent validation of all iPhone models tested in the (Tribune) report, we confirmed we are in compliance and meet all applicable exposure guidelines and limits.”
Samsung in a statement responding to Business Insider query replied that - "Samsung devices sold in the United States comply with FCC regulations. Our devices are tested according to the same test protocols that are used across the industry."
