Mobile radio
Considering the heated debate surrounding mobile radiation, the exceptionally low exposure levels measured in the third federal measurement report are astounding. The median immission limit value was below 1%. In view of this, clear, unambiguous communication would be useful to allay remaining fears among the population.
In a systematic series of measurements, millions of data points were measured at various locations. No matter where the measurement was taken, the median value was always below 1% of the permissible immission limit value of 50 V/m (volts per metre). Thus, half of all measurements were less than one hundredth of the permissible limit. The highest values of 0.48 V/m were measured at the airport. The median values at schools and village centres were as low as 0.08 and 0.09 V/m respectively. The highest measured value was only 6% of the immission limit value. This is equivalent to half of all cars on the road travelling at speeds of less than 1 km/h despite a maximum permitted speed of 100 km/h. The other half would be faster, but even the fastest would only reach 6 km/h.
In related areas of environmental law, air and noise, on the other hand, the Swiss government and cantons have been struggling for years to bring in measures to achieve any form of compliance with the immission limit values. The limit values for particulate matter and ozone are regularly exceeded. In the case of noise, the exposure limit is so high that more than 1 million people in Switzerland are exposed to harmful or problematic noise.
Chart: Comparison Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR), Noise and Air
Sources: FOEN & SwissNIR Project Consortium, non-ionizing radiation exposure measurements, annual report 2023; Martin Röösli, Was wissen wir über mögliche negative gesundheitliche Auswirkungen von Luftschadstoffen, Lärm und NIS? FSM Science Brunch 06.11.2024
The extremely low exposure levels in Switzerland are attributable to the Swiss Finish. As a precaution, an installation limit value of 5 V/m is ten times stricter at ‘places of sensitive use’, such as homes, offices or schools The recently measured values show that the levels are not even anywhere near the installation limit value, since the peak level measured at schools was just 0.43 V/m. For comparison: according to the latest scientific findings, non-ionizing radiation only becomes harmful from around 350 V/m. This means that there is a factor of 700 between the measured exposure levels and a possible impact.
This shows that, in addition to the installation limit value, there are many reserves in the implementing provisions of the Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIRO). These further limit the capacity of antenna installations. As a result, many more antenna sites are required – which are, however, often rejected.
As we know, there are many vague fears surrounding mobile radiation. However, the results of the measurement reports are loud and clear: the values measured are far below the precautionary limits. This is in contrast to other environmental factors, such as air and noise, whose limits are regularly exceeded and whose potentially harmful effects on health have been proven.
It would benefit the population if these results were conveyed in a clear, understandable and unambiguous manner – as, incidentally, called for by the motion “Rahmenbedingungen Mobilfunk” (General Framework for Mobile Technology), which Parliament passed on to the Federal Council in September 2023. Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency Arpansa serve as leading examples in this regard.
In the third report, the measurements of 2023 were compared with those of 2021. It was found that “exposure had increased slightly in places with high mobile phone usage”. Airports and public transport are mentioned specifically. The report attributes the slight increase to 5G usage. However, the report’s conclusion ignores the pandemic. In 2021, for example, only 10.2 million passengers were counted at Zurich Airport, whereas, in 2023, the figure was 28.9 million, almost three times more. A ‘slight’ increase with a nearly tripling of users clearly indicates that 5G is a more efficient technology.
For mobile phone radiation:
1. Precautionary emission limitation in places where people tend to remain for longer periods by means of an installation limit value of 5 V/m (volts per metre)
2. Increased emission limitation wherever people congregate, using an immission limit value of 50 V/m (volts per metre)
