Nordic Authorities Statement on Exposure of the General Public to EMF - Reduction of base stations may increase exposure

The Nordic Radiation Safety Authorities have issued a joint statement addressing the exposure of the general public to radio frequency radiation emitted continuously by fixed transmitters in local surroundings.  The web summary states:

"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."

Click here for the Nordic Radiation Safety Authorities Statement 16 Nov 2009

Click here for the Nordic Radiation Safety Authorities web summary

Nordic Radiation Safety Authorities
Danish National Board of Health (Sundhedsstyrelsen)
Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (Säteilyturvakeskus, STUK)
Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority (Geislavarnir Rikisins)
Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (Statens strålevern)
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten)