Mobile telephony and health
With the rollout of 5G, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the possible health risks associated with mobile telecommunication and mobile phone use. How harmful are mobile communications really? What precautions are Swisscom taking to protect people?
0 in 10
feel affected by radiation from mobile communication masts in their homes.
0 in 10
think that mobile communication masts are dangerous. Motorised vehicles 70% and climate change 80%.
0 in 10
use their smartphone for streaming, e-mailing, surfing and working on the move.
0 in 10
use a smartphone; more than half have two or more devices.
Swisscom takes concerns very seriously.
The safety of society and the environment is also central to the operation of the mobile network. Swisscom addresses concerns about possible risks through research, education and precautionary tips. Swisscom complies with the applicable federal requirements at all times.
#Research
Swisscom supports the independent Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM) at ETH Zurich.
#Transparency
We ensure transparency at all times by publishing information about the electrical field strengths of our network and mobile phone output power levels.
#Prevention
As a precautionary measure, we offer headsets and speakers to reduce the impact of mobile phone use on the body.
#Initiative
We support proactive initiatives by providing info material and tips on optimal behaviour at home and or on the move.
#Dialogue
We seek dialogue with all those involved in order to jointly develop optimal solutions for all.
5G does not use new frequencies.
5G is being operated on frequencies that have already been used for radio transmissions. As usage continues to increase, additional frequencies will be needed in the near future. Research is being conducted worldwide to determine which areas are best suited for this.
Precautionary limits
In Switzerland, particularly strict limits apply in places where people spend a lot of time. Known as installation limit values, these limits are ten times lower than recommendations of the World Health Organisation.
Frequently asked questions
You are blanketing Switzerland in electrosmog. Can you prove that it is not a hazard?
No, we can't do that. Just as it isn’t possible to prove that electrical household appliances are harmless, there is no way to conclusively and definitively prove a “non-effect”. As far as mobile communications are concerned, the established science and responsible bodies (such as the World Health Organisation or the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment) have given the all-clear regarding the immissions of mobile communications antennas.
We've been arguing for decades about whether mobile communication is dangerous or not. You say no, but you're biased. People affected by electrosmog say yes, but they could be mistaken. So who can we trust?
Here at Swisscom, we trust expert organisations that are committed to science and impartiality. In our case they are: the Federal Office of Environment (for masts), the Federal Office of Public Health (for mobile phones), the ETH Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (on both subjects) and the World Health Organisation (also on both subjects). Check out these sources online and you will agree that their opinions are well-founded.
I am affected by the electrosmog from your mobile masts (sleeplessness, lack of concentration, depression). What should I do?
It’s likely that mobile communications antennas are one of several sources of electromagnetic fields present in your home (and probably a weak one at that). Please have the cause of your ailment diagnosed without bias. The right specialist in this case is a doctor. If necessary, seek a second expert opinion.
Your lobby keeps repeating the same mantra that mobile electrosmog isn't dangerous. That's exactly how it was for asbestos.
This is not an accurate comparison. In the case of asbestos, it was scientifically proven that this material causes cancer and the biological mechanisms were also known. Appropriate action followed quickly thereafter. In the case of emissions from mobile masts and phones there is no such proof and thus no causal explanations of hazards.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. Studies repeatedly indicate the hazards of electrosmog from mobile communications.
No, there is neither proof nor indications of this. A few isolated studies have merely observed effects. However they would have to re-occur in similar follow-up studies to be deemed as indications. The mechanisms of this would then have to be explained and understood in depth for it to be proved. No study on mobile communication to date has been able to do this.
According to the "Mobilfunk" cancer research agency, mobile communications induce cancer. What do you say to that?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) doesn't say this. Mobile emissions are merely listed in Category 2B. This list includes agents for which limited indications have been found of a cancer-inducing effect in animal tests, but none in humans and vice-versa. Artificial sweeteners and more than 200 other common substances are listed here, none of which have become a major issue.
Glossary
Facts & Figures
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
People whose health or well-being is impaired and who attribute their condition to electromagnetic fields in their daily lives are described as being electrosensitive. As yet no recognised medical diagnostic criteria exist. To date, it has not been possible to prove by scientific methods that the complaints of electrosensitive persons are caused by the effects of electromagnetic fields in daily life.
EMF
EMF generally refers to electromagnetic fields below optical wavelengths, thus non-ionising radiation which is used to transmit signals in mobile and radio communication.
IARC
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC classified electromagnetic fields (low and high frequency) as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Pickled vegetables are also classified at this level. However, this IARC classification does not mean that any evidence of a carcinogenic effect has been identified. Rather, it means that the indications of a potential carcinogenic effect from animal and in vitro studies as well as epidemiological studies are limited and therefore require further research.
ICNIRP
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection analyses scientific studies in this area and recommends threshold values to protect humans from health hazards based on the resultant scientific findings. ONIR threshold values are ten times stricter than those recommended by the ICNIRP and WHO.
ONIR
In the Ordinance relating to Protection from Non-Ionising Radiation, Switzerland sets the threshold values for maximum permissible electric, magnetic and electromagnetic radiation of stationary installations in the frequency range from 0 Hz to 300 GHz. A two-level protection concept was applied in this case. All accessible places must comply with the emission threshold limit recommended by the WHO. In order to satisfy the precautionary principle required by the federal law for the protection of the environment, based on technical feasibility and economic viability, ten times stricter values were set for intensively frequented places occupied by persons for prolonged periods.
Place of sensitive use
The ONIR sets the installation threshold values for places of sensitive use. They are ten times stricter than the generally applicable threshold values (known as exposure limit values). In international terms, this is a special regulation particular to Switzerland. Places of sensitive use are usually inside buildings and include apartments, classrooms, nursery schools, patients' rooms in hospitals and care homes, constantly occupied workplaces. Outside buildings they include playgrounds, school and nursery school recreational areas in particular.
Radiation
Radiation is a form of energy which is transmitted as electromagnetic waves. A distinction is made between ionising and non-ionising radiation. Ionising radiation can change the elements of material such as molecules or atoms, while non-ionising radiation contains too little energy to do so. Non-ionising radiation cannot therefore change atoms or molecules. Mobile telecommunication uses non-ionizing radiation.
SAR
The radio waves of a mobile phone are absorbed to some extent by the human body and transformed into heat. The energy absorbed by the body is expressed in watts per kilogram of body tissue and as the specific absorption rate SAR. In Switzerland the applicable SAR threshold value for mobile phones is 2 watts per kg (on the head).
V/m
Volt per metre is the unit of measurement for the strength of electric fields.
WHO
Currently, based on an analysis of all relevant studies, the World Health Organisation deems that mobile communication mast and wireless network emissions do not to represent a health hazard.