A French government watchdog agency, the National Frequency Agency (ANFR), has issued an order for Apple to remove the iPhone 12 from the French market due to concerns about its electromagnetic radiation emissions.
The ANFR, responsible for overseeing radio-electric frequencies and public exposure to electromagnetic radiation, made the announcement on Tuesday. The agency urged Apple to take swift action to address the issue in phones already in use. The ANFR will closely monitor corrective updates provided by Apple. If these updates prove ineffective, the agency has warned that Apple may be required to recall phones that have already been sold.
Apple has countered the findings, asserting that the iPhone 12 complies with all radiation regulations.
The ANFR recently conducted tests on 141 cellphones, including the iPhone 12, to assess electromagnetic radiation absorption rates in the body. During testing of the iPhone 12, the agency recorded an electromagnetic energy absorption level of 5.74 watts per kilogram when the phone was held in a hand or placed in a pocket. This level exceeded the European Union standard of 4 watts per kilogram. However, the iPhone 12 met the threshold when radiation levels were evaluated for a phone placed in a jacket or bag.
Apple emphasized that the iPhone 12, released in late 2020, has obtained certifications from numerous international bodies and complies with radiation regulations and standards worldwide. The company supplied the ANFR with lab results from both its own tests and those conducted by third-party labs, demonstrating the phone’s compliance.
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister overseeing digital matters, acknowledged that the ANFR monitors phones to ensure compliance with radiation standards, taking into account software updates that may impact radiation emissions. He noted that while the radiation levels of the iPhone 12 were slightly higher than the standards, they remained significantly lower than levels considered to have potential consequences for users.
The World Health Organization’s cancer research arm has categorized cellphones as “possible” carcinogens, alongside items like coffee, diesel fumes, and the pesticide DDT. Cellphone radiation differs from more potent forms of radiation, such as X-rays or ultraviolet light, and cannot directly damage DNA.
In 2018, two U.S. government studies exposed mice and rats to cellphone radiation, finding a weak link to certain heart tumors. However, federal regulators and scientists concluded that cellphone use was still safe. Researchers noted that the findings did not accurately represent typical human cellphone use, and the animal-based results did not translate into similar concerns for humans.
One of the most extensive studies on cellphone-related health risks, conducted in 13 countries in 2010, found minimal or no risk of brain tumors associated with cellphone use. Mobile phone usage patterns have also evolved significantly since earlier studies, making it unclear whether previous research findings remain relevant today.
Because many tumors take years to develop, experts believe it is challenging to definitively assert that cellphones pose no long-term health risks. To mitigate potential radiation exposure, experts recommend using earphones or switching to texting for those concerned about cellphone radiation.
