No short-term effects of UMTS mobile telephone radiation on well-being

Biel-Bienne, 06.06.2006 - The Swiss follow-up study of the TNO-study published today found no short-term effects of UMTS mobile telephone radiation on well-being. This is an important indication that the limits which are in force adequately protect the population, on the basis of the current state of knowledge. It is still necessary to keep an eye on the long-term effects.

In most studies on short-term effects of mobile telephone radiation prior to the introduction of UMTS technology, it was not possible to find any direct effects on health or well-being. The so-called TNO study conducted in Holland in autumn 2003 was therefore all the more surprising. It found adverse effects on well-being as a result of exposure to low-level UMTS radiation, such as that emitted by mobile telephone antenna, even for short-term exposure of less than one hour.

In order to place this unexpected finding on a more reliable footing, the federal authorities supported the Swiss study in order to verify the Dutch study. The result of this study was presented today in Zurich: the findings from Holland were not confirmed; no effects were found, either on well-being or on cognitive functions.

The position of the federal authorities

In terms of risk assessment, the Swiss study must be given greater weight than the TNO study, because it features advantages and improvements over the Dutch study: for example, an improved methodology, two different strengths of UMTS radiation and a greater number of persons examined.

The federal authorities also find that after the presentation of the high-quality study it is improbable that short-term UMTS mobile telephone radiation below the installation limit value adversely affects well-being and cognitive performance. This amounts to an all-clear to the population concerning the question raised in the study. At the same time it is an important indication that the Swiss limits adequately protect the population on the basis of the current state of knowledge, even though limit values are obviously not set on the basis of individual studies.

In past years, individual municipalities have suspended processing of building applications for UMTS masts by referring to the TNO follow-up study. This study confirms that such moratoria are unjustified from the technical viewpoint, quite apart from the fact that the Federal Court had already declared that such suspensions were not permissible.

Keeping an eye on the long-term effects

Short-term effects were analysed in the study. It does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about any effects of long-term exposure; subjects were exposed to the radiation for only a short time – about 45 minutes. Nor does the study shed light on any risks associated with using a UMTS mobile phone to make calls; it is known that during a telephone conversation the head is exposed to much higher levels of radiation than in the investigation in question.
With regard to any long-term effects of low-level radiation, the federal authorities are focusing on further research alongside the system of precautions (see box): the scientific investigation of long-term effects is to be promoted in national research programme 57 "Non-ionising radiation, health and the environment". The programme has been initiated and it will be possible to start the first research projects at the end of the year.
In addition, the federal authorities are monitoring the extensive international research in this area, in order to be able to incorporate any new findings in the safety regulations.

Strict Swiss limit values
In the area of non-ionising radiation (also known as electro-smog), Switzerland has two types of limit value:

• Exposure limit values are based on the scientifically validated and accepted harmful effects. Given the present state of knowledge, they relate exclusively to acute effects. The exposure limit value for UMTS radiation is 61 volts per metre.

• Since there is uncertainty concerning long-term effects, in 1999 the Federal Council, when it promulgated the  ordinance relating to protection from non-ionising radiation, additionally imposed stricter precautionary limits for locations where people spend a lot of time. These so-called installation limit values are based not on concrete scientific results or suspicions, but on the technical possibilities, in order to keep long-term exposure low. The installation limit value for UMTS radiation from base stations is 6 volts per meter. It is therefore ten times stricter than the exposure limit value.


Address for enquiries

• Federal Office for the Environment, Jürg Baumann, Nonionising Radiation (NIR) Section Head, 031 322 69 64
• Federal Office of Public Health, Mirjana Moser, Physics and Biology Section Head, 031 322 95 75
• OFCOM, Federal Office of Communications, Philippe Horisberger, Frequency Planning and Electromagnetic Compatibility Section Head, 032 327 54 11



Publisher

Federal Office of Communications
http://www.ofcom.admin.ch

Federal Office of Public Health
http://www.bag.admin.ch

Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen.msg-id-5402.html