Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Apple, Samsung Smartphone Radiation Exceeds Safety Standards

Apple and Samsung face a class action lawsuit that indicates popular smartphones widely used throughout the U.S. cause consumers to face radiofrequency (RF) exposure at levels that exceed the maximum allowable limits, potentially posing a cancer risk.

The complaint (PDF) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on August 23, by eleven different individuals, who seek class action status to pursue damages from Apple, Inc. and Samsung Electronics.

The plaintiffs point to a recent report by the Chicago Tribune, which tested a number of popular smartphone models, discovering some exceeded federal RF limits by as much as 500%, far higher than the levels manufacturers reported to federal regulators.

The tests were conducted according to federal guidelines at an independent, accredited lab. In one series of tests, the researchers tested four different, brand new, iPhone 7s at full power. All exceeded federal safety limits; sometimes at twice the levels Apple reported to the Federal Communications Commission.

In total, the Chicago Tribune tested 11 models of cell phones from four different companies.

In response to the report, Apple claimed the testing was done improperly, but would not say what was done wrong, according to the Tribune, so it had the cellphones tested yet again, in strict accordance to FCC standards. The results still showed that the phones exceeded federal radiation standards.

Following that testing, Apple officials refused to be interviewed and did not respond to questions submitted in writing.

“Numerous recent scientific publications, supported by hundreds of scientists worldwide, have shown that RF radiation exposure affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans,” the lawsuit states. “Thus, Defendants’ design, manufacture, and sale of smartphones that far exceed federal guidelines exacerbates the health risks to Plaintiffs and the Classes.”

The lawsuit claims all those who used Apple and Samsung smartphones which exceeded federal safety limits for RF exposure are at an increased risk of health problems. The lawsuit seeks class action for all persons who purchased an iPhone 7, 8, or X, or a Samsung Galaxy S8, S9, or J3; all of which failed the Chicago Tribune’s testing.

They are calling for the companies to pay for medical monitoring and restitution for those who purchased those models.