A report by The Chicago Tribune on Wednesday claiming some of Apple’s iPhones were emitting radiofrequency radiation beyond federal safety limits has already triggered an “investigation” by a Chicago-based law firm.
The Tribune tested 11 models from four companies, with varying results. This included three more brand-new iPhone 7s at full power. The Tribune says radiofrequency radiation exposure from the iPhone 7 measured over the legal safety limit and more than double what Apple reported to federal regulators from its own testing.
Chicago-based law firm Fegan Scott hasn’t yet filed a lawsuit against Apple, and it also isn’t clear what type of “investigation” will be conducted. Beth Fegan, a managing partner, said that “this could be the Chernobyl of the cell phone industry, cover-up and all.”
“If we found that produce sold in grocery stores contained twice the levels of pesticides as the law allows, we would be up in arms, demanding the products be pulled from the shelf – this is no different,” said Fegan. “In this case, we know the cell phone radiation is dangerous, but the terrifying part is that we don’t know how dangerous, especially to kids’ brain development.”
Fegan continued, going so far as to claim cell phone manufacturers may be intentionally hiding what they know about radiation output.
The fact that the Chicago Tribune can convene a group of experts and develop such convincing findings shows that the phone manufacturers may be intentionally hiding what they know about radiation output.
The Tribune used an accredited lab to test several cell phones to find out if they met federal guidelines for radiofrequency radiation. The testing facility discovered that some iPhones emitted radiofrequency radiation beyond legal safety limits, in some case double what Apple reported to federal regulators.
While the iPhone 7 proved to be the largest emitter across multiple tests, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X also emitted higher than expected levels of radiofrequency radiation. Smartphones from other firms, including Motorola and Samsung, also showed over-limit emissions.
Meanwhile, Apple told The Chicago Tribune that testing hadn’t been performed properly and was not “in accordance with procedures necessary to properly assess the iPhone models.” The Cupertino firm also said it had re-tested the devices, and their testing confirmed the devices meet all exposure guidelines.
“All iPhone models, including iPhone 7, are fully certified by the FCC and in every other country where iPhone is sold,” the 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.”
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced that it will do its own retesting of smartphones in the coming months.