Often, we are told that concerning ourselves over technological radio frequencies is playing into the hands of rabid conspiracy theorists. Whether your concern is Wifi signals, or 5G health risks, or cell phone emissions, it’s all lumped in a basket of paranoia that’s unfounded by science.

That, at least, is what the experts have us believe.

But then ever so often, a study, based in the same science that purports to disclaim these “conspiracies,” takes a sharp, harsh, u-turn. And when that happens, all bets fall off the table, at least temporarily.

Last week, the Chicago Tribune ushered in one of those weeks when it released the results of radio frequency testing on the popular iPhone. The results, which put on display egregious non-compliance by way of Apple, has prompted an official FCC investigation. But it’s also given inflated credence that cell phones may be bad for human health.

iPhone 7 Radio frequency Exceeds FCC Standards

The Chicago Tribune carried out a comprehensive test on freshly ordered iPhone 7s. The iPhone 7s were derived from four different companies. During the testing, the iPhones were set to perform utilizing full power mode. The iPhones were placed in a liquid bath that imitates human flesh. The tub measured how much radio frequency each iPhone put out into the liquid.

The results?

The iPhone 7 consistently measured over the legal safety limit for radio frequency exposure.

This is bad stuff, to say the least.

The stunning results aren’t just bad for Apple, but also for the FCC which provides assurance on its website that cell phones approved for sale will never exceed such limits. But this latest test paid for by the Chicago Tribune, put such guarantees in chaos.

The Tribune’s test was intended to show whether or not cell phone use is safe for people. Our newest generation will be exposed to smartphone devices for their entire lives. The study’s poor safety assessment raises concerns that we may be polluting our bodies and potentially harming our genetics.

Chicago Tribune iPhone Radio frequency Testing Logic

There were two tests performed. One was a standard test while the other was a modified test. The standard test too into account the FCC’s guidelines. The distance from the body was determined by the manufacturer’s premarket testing. This was 5, 10, and 15 millimeters in distance. The standard tests also tested non-premarket standards at 2 millimeters.

The modified test took into account Apple’s feedback to the results. In these tests, the allowance for power reduction sensors came into play.

The FCC exposure limit is 1.6 W/kg.

Here’s how Apple iPhone 7 performed against Samsung and Motorola devices. Pay attention to how drastically the iPhone 7 fails at 2mm distance from body.