I use a Nokia 5165 cell phone with AT&T service solely (no land line).
 My phone heats up once I’m on a call for maybe 20 minutes.  It has
analog and digital capability and it is my understanding that during
most of my calls digital technology is used, although usually my calls
lasting over 20 minutes are long distance from the west coast to the
east coast of the US.  It is also my understanding after talking to
others, though I could be wrong, that many other cell phones do not
heat up like mine.

Question: Does the heat accumulation of my phone indicate a
significant risk of radiation exposure beyond most other cell phones
and service, or considering my calling pattern, would most other cell
phones on the market accumulate heat the way mine does?  I don’t
necessarily need statistics, just informed opinions.

Thanks very much.

Hello zenmaster-ga

I have had 8 mobile phones and they all heat up during long
conversations, some more than others. An Ericsson T10s running almost
hot enough to fry an egg on the earpiece.

The radiation risk is not really related to the heat generated. I have
two brands of land line wireless DECT phones which can get warm on
long conversations. Landline DECT phones do not have the high levels
of radiation associated with mobile cell phones.

To base the level of radiation on the heat generated by the
electronics / battery would be inaccurate. There is an industry
standard 'SAR figure' to measure the radiation from phones.
Excerpt from from a mobile phone health guide:
"Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
Human exposure levels to mobile phones are measured by testing the
Specific Absorption Rate, referred to as the SAR.The SAR measures how
much energy is absorbed into the body. For the latest SAR values,
please click on www.mmfai.org "
"Mobile Phones and Health" The Carphone Warehouse 2002
http://www3.carphonewarehouse.com/commerce/servlet/gben-knowledgebase-Show?ARTICLE=HEALTH.HEALTH
This guide is published by a cell phone retailer and highlights the
current research into mobile phone safety - it may be slightly biased
but is reference material.

- As to the actual SAR figure for the Nokia 5165 it is 1.46 (in
digital mode) which is relatively highish, almost 4x the radiation
from an Alcatel Club series which are rated at 0.38
SAR figures for some popular phones can be found here
Cellular News
http://www.cellular-news.com/cell-phones/sar-ratings.php
and here
CNet Wireless
http://www.cnet.com/wireless/0-5939521-7-6227090.html?tag=txt

- As to the penetration of the radiation, the UK's ITV 'Tonight'
documentary programme highlighted a scientist's findings. Particularly
alarming is the radiation penetration to the thinner skull of a child,
allowing far more radiation into the brain and face areas.
http://www.webxon.ukshells.co.uk/all.jpg

- In summary I'd say referencing the SAR figures is a much more
accurate way to determine the phone's radiation than the heat it
generates.


Search Strategy:
SAR Nokia 5165
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&newwindow=1&q=SAR+Nokia+5165&btnG=Google+Search
and from bookmarks

- I hope that helps,
if you need any clarification on the answer just ask.
Kind regards
lot-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by lot-ga on 08 Oct 2002 05:25 PDT

Hello,
here is a article I found regarding the research which has been
carried out for mobile phones, radiation and health effects, no
correlation is cited for heat and radiation levels.
"Cell Phone Convenience or 21st Century Plague?" Compiled by Dr. Nick
Begich and James Roderick Earthpulse
http://www.earthpulse.com/products/cellphoneplague.htm

regards
lot-ga

I didn't rate the original answer - it was satisfactory or better.  I
just received a clarification though, and I really appreciate it.  I
haven't researched any further myself, but the new info that was sent
is really what I wanted to find out and I thank lot-ga very much for
following up. Peace.