The Nordic radiation Safety authorities: No need to reduce public exposure generated by mobile base stations and wireless networks

16/11/2009

The exposure of the general public in the Nordic countries due to mobile phone base stations, TV- and radio transmitters, wireless technology and other such fixed transmitters is well below the international recommendations. Thus the Radiation Safety Authorities in the Nordic countries have issued a joint statement saying that there is no need for further actions to reduce the radiofrequency fields generated by fixed transmitters.

Radiation safety authorities from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland have released a joint statement regarding public exposure generated by fixed transmitters located in our surroundings. They agree that there is no scientific evidence for adverse health effects caused by radiofrequency field strengths in the normal living environment at present.

Nowadays, people are exposed to radiofrequency fields everywhere. However, the typical exposure levels are far below hundredth part of the exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Therefore, the radiation safety authorities see no need to take any further action to reduce this exposure.

However, many of the technologies which use radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have only been prevalent for less than two decades. It is therefore important to continue active research on the possible health effects of radiofrequency radiation. It is also important to follow developments in exposure from different sources and the possible health consequences from such development.

Reduction of base stations increases public exposure

The Nordic authorities emphasise that to reduce the total public exposure from wireless communications systems it is necessary to complete integrated planning that also takes into account radiation emitted from hand-held devices such as mobile phones.

In terms of overall public exposure, mobile phones are a much more significant source of radiofrequency radiation than base stations. If the number of base stations is reduced, mobile phones will need to use higher power to maintain their connection, which increases public exposure to radiation.

The common Nordic statement on mobile phones (21 September 2004) and STUK position paper concerning mobile phones and health (7 January 2009) are still valid.

For more information:
Research engineer, Tommi Toivonen, tel. +358 40 840 6162
Research Professor Kari Jokela, tel. +358 9 759 88 456
Information officer Leena Hietanen, tel. +358 9 759 88 215

Joint statement from the nordic radiation safety authorities: Exposure of the general public to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (pdf)

Annex to the statement (pdf)

The common Nordic statement on mobile phones (21 September 2004, pdf)

Statement of STUK concerning mobile phones and health on (7 January 2009)

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Page updated 16/11/2009

The Nordic radiation Safety authorities: No need to reduce public exposure generated by mobile base stations and wireless networks

Reduction of base stations increases public exposure

/ STUK