Radiation exposure Highest exposure to mobile phone radiation below limit value

Exposure to mobile phone radiation in Switzerland is below the limit value. This is also the case in places with the highest exposure, such as train stations, streetcar stops and airports. Many people use their cell phones there.

Overall, the population is exposed to low levels of radiation, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) announced on Thursday. Health protection is guaranteed. The FOEN published its third monitoring report on non-ionizing radiation. Monitoring has been running since 2021.

This is caused by mobile phone antennas and cell phones, radio transmitters, WLAN computer networks and other radio applications. Non-ionizing radiation can also be emitted by power lines and overhead lines or electrical household appliances. According to the FOEN, the measured values here are similar to those in other international studies.

While exposure is high in places where many people use their cell phones, it is low in nature and also in schools, as the monitoring shows. Exposure is also higher at lunchtime and in the evening, when many people are online with their devices.

A comparison between 2021 and 2023 revealed that exposure has increased slightly in places with heavy mobile phone use. Where there are few cell phones in use, however, the change was not significant, according to the FOEN. The main reason for the increase was the use of 5G, the Federal Office wrote.

A generally slightly lower exposure was measured in private homes than outdoors. However, Wi-Fi networks and cordless phones could contribute significantly to exposure in living spaces, the FOEN wrote.

SDA