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Electrosmog in the environment
Electricity supply systems, electrical appliances and
a wide range of transmitters for various wireless applications generate non-ionising radiation (commonly referred to as "electrosmog") that can be harmful to
our health, depending on its intensity. With its Ordinance relating to Protection from Non-Ionising Radiation,
the Federal Council introduced a legal instrument to protect the population against the harmful effects of electrosmog.
This brochure describes the main sources of electro- smog, assesses the associated risks, identifies existing gaps in research and suggests ways in which we can reduce our own level of exposure.
Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape SAEFL, June 2005
Foreword
Precautions in the interest of public health Contents
The countless options that have been opened up to us through the development The electromagnetic spectrum
of modern information and communications technology have fundamentally altered
our daily life in the course of the past ten years or so. The rapid growth of mobile An overview of the various types of elec- telephony and the Internet are just two obvious examples. tromagnetic radiation by frequency range
is presented in diagram form. "Electro- We are now using ever more electrical appliances and wireless devices at home, smog" is a collective term encompassing in the office and when we are on the move, but there is a negative side to this artificially produced non-ionising radia- trend too, namely the increasing pollution of our environment in the form of non- tion in the frequency range from 0 hertz ionising radiation. In February 2000 the Federal Council issued its Ordinance to 300 gigahertz.
relating to Protection from Non-Ionising Radiation as an instrument to protect > Pages 4 – 5
the population against the harmful effects of electrosmog. It stipulates exposure
limit values for supply installations such as power lines, mobile phone antennae
and wireless transmitters in order to protect the population against scientifically Electrosmog and health acknowledged harmful effects. In addition it contains stringent regulations governing facilities installed close to locations occupied by people for lengthy periods of time. Here, in applying the precautionary principle, exposure is limited to even lower values.
The relative complexity of non-ionising radiation and its biological effects, our lack of the necessary sensory organs for perceiving radiation, the continued existence of gaps in research and uncertainties relating to health risks give rise to a variety of speculations and fears, and with this brochure the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape wants to counter these by providing some factual information. For example, it presents up-to-date findings concerning the impacts of non-ionising radiation on our health in as objective a manner as possible. It has been scientifically established that We have also attempted to give a visual form to the invisible radiation that is intensive non-ionising radiation is harm- ever-present in our environment, and thus to render it more tangible. ful to our health, but certain biological
effects also occur at exposure levels well But this brochure also addresses the aspect of personal responsibility for electro- below internationally recommended lim- smog is often home-made. In many homes, the main sources of non-ionising its. Since scientists cannot at present in - radiation are not external supply systems, but rather our own electrical appliances. dicate how harmful these effects are, it is And here, state legislation has its limitations in protecting us. It is therefore up advisable to take certain precautions.
to each of us to act in our own interest and make careful use of the many options > Pages 6 – 13
provided by modern-day technology.
ONIR: Ordinance relating to Protection from Non-Ionising Radiation
The Ordinance relating to Protection from Philippe Roch Non-Ionising Radiation, which entered into Director of the Swiss Agency for the effect on 1 February 2000, stipulates limit Environment, Forests and Landscape values for short-term exposure to supply
systems. In addition, precautionary instal- lation limit values for a variety of radia- tion sources help reduce long-term expo- sure in residential areas.
> Pages 14 – 19
Contents
Power supply Railway lines Broadcasting, point-to-point microwave links, amateur radio
Magnetic fields along railway lines fluc-
tuate considerably. Accelerating or brak-
ing locomotives increase the current and
Electric and magnetic fields are unavoid- thus intensify the magnetic fields. Expo-
able by-products of electricity transmis- sure levels are higher on heavily frequent- High-power transmitters for radio and TV sion and use. The highest levels of expo- ed stretches. programmes are usually placed at eleva- sure occur in the immediate vicinity of > Pages 34 – 37 ted locations. Since there are normally no high-voltage power lines and transform- residential dwellings within the critical er stations. range, it is usually no problem for them to
> Pages 20 – 27 Mobile telephony comply with the installation limit value.
> Pages 46 – 51
Electrical appliances in the home
Wireless devices in buildings
Thousands of base stations in Switzerland secure the almost nation-wide availabili- ty of mobile phone services. On the other hand, the numerous antennae give rise to an increase in high-frequency radiation Wireless devices such as cordless phones, throughout the country. cordless headphones, baby monitors, In most residential dwellings, electrosmog > Pages 38 – 45 WLAN stations, etc., are also being used in is home-made. Here we ourselves are able residential dwellings to an ever increas-
to considerably reduce our level of ex- ing extent. Although their transmitting posure by taking basic measures. For ex- power is often relatively low, these devi- ample, we should avoid placing electrical ces can dominate the indoor exposure to appliances that run constantly, e.g. clock high-frequency radiation.
radios, in places where people spend > Pages 52 – 55
lengthy periods of time.
> Pages 28 – 33
Index, glossary, references,
links, publication data
>Page 56
Introduction
Electromagnetic spectrum
Low-frequency fields
Frequency
1 Hz 1 kHz 1 MHz 300 000 km 300 km 300 m
Wavelength
Railway lines
Broadcasting
Electricity supply
and use
Mobile telephony
The diagram here shows an overview of the Division of frequency spectrum Low-frequency fields
entire electromagnetic spectrum. Elec -
tromagnetic radiation occurs in our nat- The frequency spectrum of electromag- The low-frequency range includes electric ural environment and is also generated netic radiation is broadly divided into non- and magnetic fields from railway contact artificially in a variety of forms, e.g. elec- ionising and ionising radiation. Non-ionis- lines, high-voltage power lines and elec- tric and magnetic fields from high-volt- ing radiation is divided into low-frequen- trical household appliances. Since the rail- age power lines, radiation from mobile cy and high-frequency radiation, infrared way power supply has a frequency of 16.7 phone base stations and radio transmit- radiation, visible light and ultraviolet ra- oscillations per second, the fields it pro- ters, visible light, x-rays. In physical terms, diation. Artificially produced low-frequen- duces also have a frequency of 16.7 hertz these types of radiation are distinguished cy and high-frequency radiation are also (Hz). By comparison, the public power sup- by their frequency, i.e. the number of os- referred to as "electrosmog". ply has a frequency of 50 Hz.
cillations per second. Depending on their
frequency they have different radiation
properties and different effects on hu -
man beings.
Electromagnetic spectrum
Non-ionising radiationIonising radiation High-frequency fields
1 GHz 1 THz
30 cm 0.3 mm 300 nm
Infrared Visible light Ultraviolet radiation
X-ray
Microwave oven
WLAN
Point-to-point microwave links
High-frequency radiation Ionising radiation
We speak of high-frequency radiation visible light have even higher frequencies. The transition to ionising radiation occurs when oscillations are 30,000 per second Although these are no longer described as in the ultraviolet radiation range. Ionis- or more. Here, electric and magnetic fields "electrosmog", they nonetheless belong to ing radiation includes x-rays and gamma are coupled and can propagate in the form the category of non-ionising radiation. radiation. By contrast with non-ionising of a wave. This is used for the wireless radiation, ionising radiation possesses suf- transmission of information. Specific ex- ficient energy to directly alter the basic amples include transmitters and receivers constituents of living organisms (atoms for radio and television, mobile telephony, and molecules).
point-to-point microwave links and radar.
Such equipment uses frequencies ranging
from several hundred kilohertz for me-
dium-wave radio to several billion hertz
(gigahertz) for point-to-point transmis -
sion, while heat radiation (infrared) and
Electrosmog and health
The negative impacts of intensive non-ionising radiation on our health have been scientifically established and are undisputed, but with the exception of workplace accidents, people are never exposed to such high levels of radiation. However, biological effects also occur at levels well below internationally recommen- ded hazard thresholds. Since scientists are unable to indicate how harmful these effects are, it is advisable to take certain precautions.
Is electrosmog a health hazard?
Contents
Effects of low-frequency radiation > P 7 Effects of stimulating effect on the immune system
low-frequency radiation and inhibits the growth of tumours. Me- Nerve and muscle stimulation > P 7 latonin deficiencies are associated with
Unlike many animals (such as birds and sleep disorders, tiredness and depressive Subliminal effects > P 7 fish), human beings do not possess any sen- states. Research has also identified a va-
sory organs for electric or magnetic fields. riety of other impacts of low-frequency Increased risk of leukaemia The most we can do is perceive them in- fields, including influences on growth and among children? > P 7 directly. For example, some people expe- metabolism of cells and changes in genet-
rience a tingling sensation on their skin ic material.
Effects of high-frequency radiation > P 0 when standing directly beneath high-volt- The existence of subliminal effects is un-
age power lines. Here the alternating elec- disputed, but what we do not know is how Hazardous thermal effects > P 0 tric field causes body hairs to vibrate, and they actually occur. Given the present-day
this is perceived as a tingling sensation. status of knowledge, it is difficult to say Numerous non-thermal effects > P 0 While this effect may be perceived as an whether these represent a health hazard,
annoyance, it does not represent any dan- and if so under what circumstances. Phenomenon of electrosensibility > P ger to health.
Increased risk of
Electrosensitivity > P Nerve and muscle stimulation leukaemia among children? Electrosensibility > P More intensive electric and magnetic fields Epidemiological studies, which exam-
are known to be harmful to our health, ine the frequency of occurrence of cer- Evaluation of effects of though we are not normally exposed to tain diseases among selected population high-frequency radiation > P these in daily life. For example, extremely groups, are a means of finding out more
intensive magnetic fields over 10,000 mi- about any harmful effects that may be Explanations > P crotesla (µT) can cause nerve and muscle caused by non-ionising radiation. Studies
cells to malfunction. Such powerful mag- of this sort have been carried out in a va-
netic fields generate electric currents riety of countries since the early 1980s
in the human organism that trigger un- in order to determine whether low-fre-
desirable nerve excitations and muscle quency magnetic fields may cause or fa-
contractions. And if the heart is exposed vour the development of cancer. For many
to extreme magnetic fields of more than years, the findings were varied and often
100,000 µT, this can cause cramping of contradictory, but as a result of more re -
the heart muscle – a condition that is life- cent investigations and meta-analysis of
threatening. earlier ones, researchers have meanwhile
These effects on nerves and muscles are come to a uniform conclusion: the risk of
referred to as stimulation effects. They contracting leukaemia is possibly twice
have been scientifically established and as high among children who are exposed
form the basis for defining international to magnetic fields over 0.4 µT for lengthy
hazard thresholds. If these limits are not periods.
exceeded, no nerve or muscle cell mal- The International Agency for Research on functions are triggered by low-frequen- Cancer (IARC) also came to the same con- cy fields. clusion, and in 2001 it classified low-fre-
quency magnetic fields as potentially car- Subliminal effects cinogenic for human beings. It is of the
opinion that weak magnetic fields repre- Various studies have revealed, however, sent a possible – though not probable or that biological reactions may occur even proven – leukaemia risk.
if field strengths are well below the inter- In Switzerland, around 60 children a year nationally defined thresholds. These re- contract leukaemia. If long-term expo- actions are referred to as subliminal ef- sure to low-frequency magnetic fields of fects. more than 0.4 µT really were to double the Experiments conducted on both animals risk of children contracting leukaemia – and human beings have identified chang- which admittedly has not yet been defini- es in behaviour, interference with learning tively established – this means that about capacity and impacts on the hormone sys- 1 new case a year would be attributable tem. For example, it has been found that to magnetic fields, while the remaining 59 lower than usual levels of the hormone would be attributable to other causes. melatonin are produced. Melatonin con- The suspicion of a higher leukaemia risk trols the biological day/night cycle, has a is one reason to keep long-term exposure
Electrosmog and health
Low-frequency fields
to low-frequency magnetic fields as low as possible as a precautionary measure. In- sofar as electrical household appliances are the source, we ourselves are able to influence the level of exposure in our own homes. In contrast, electrical systems in our environment are subject to the provi- sions of the Ordinance relating to Protec- tion from Non-Ionising Radiation, which entered into effect on 1 February 2000, and stipulates precautionary measures to reduce magnetic fields at locations oc- cupied by people for lengthy periods of time, including residential dwellings, of- fices, schools, hospitals and playgrounds. At these locations, the installation limit value for all new high-voltage power lines and transformer stations at full load is 1 µT. However, long-term exposure is gen- erally well below this level, since these sys- tems seldom operate at full capacity.
In our daily life we are exposed to non-ionising radiation from a broad variety of sources. For example, railway catenaries, electricity supply systems and electrical household appliances all produce low-frequency electric and magnetic fields. If these are of high intensity, they can produce electric currents in the body that trigger undesirable nerve stimulations or muscle contractions.
High-frequency fields
TV and radio transmitters, mobile phone base stations, radar installations and microwave ovens all produce high-frequency radiation. This has different physical properties to low-frequency fields and its effects on human beings are also quite different. Intensive high-frequency radiation is converted in the body into heat, and this can harm sensitive organs. More research is required in order to clarify effects of low-level radiation.
Electrosmog and health
Effects of high-frequency radiation
When we use a microwave oven, we are in Well-documented work accidents abroad, mitters have yielded higher leukaemia and fact utilising the heat produced by inten- especially those involving radar equip- lymphoma rates than expected. However, sive high-frequency radiation. Here, bio- ment, demonstrate how dangerous high- findings are not uniform and some stud- logical tissue such as vegetables and meat frequency radiation can be. For example, a ies have methodological flaws.
absorbs the radiated energy and heats mechanic who inadvertently strayed very To some extent, indicators of potential up. It is not only microwaves that heat close to a radar transmitter suddenly felt impacts on health come directly from the up biological tissue, however: this pro- very hot and suffered internal burns. He population. For example, an increasing cess occurs as the result of high-frequency and two of his colleagues had to be tak- number of people living in the vicinity electromagnetic radiation from all sour- en to hospital with skin damage and se- of a now decommissioned short-wave radio ces – for example, radio and mobile phone vere coagulation problems. All three com- transmitter in Schwarzenburg (canton of transmitters – but it only occurs if the plained of tiredness, dizziness, headaches Bern) began to complain about nervous- radiation is of sufficient intensity. and pressure above the eyes. Scientists ness, restlessness, insomnia, general weak- Many biochemical reactions in the human are well aware of these acute effects of ness, tiredness and aching limbs, and a body only take place within a narrow tem- intensive high-frequency radiation, which subsequent epidemiological study con- perature range. Diseases accompanied by only occur above a certain level of radia- ducted on behalf of the federal govern- high fever show us that these processes tion intensity. The corresponding thresh- ment revealed a statistical correlation can already be severely disturbed if the old forms the basis for the definition of between sleep disorders and transmis- body temperature rises by only a few de- internationally recognised limits aimed sion patterns. However, the study was un- grees Celsius. For this reason, thermal im- at protecting the population against the able to definitively determine whether the pacts due to electromagnetic radiation harmful effects of short-term exposure. various symptoms were in fact attributa- have to be regarded as undesirable. ble to radiation from the transmitter, or
Numerous non-thermal effects whether confounding factors might have Hazardous thermal effects been involved.
Various studies have revealed, however, Nonetheless, the fact that high-frequen - In daily life we are normally not exposed that biological effects may result even if cy radiation gives rise to non-thermal ef- to high-frequency radiation of such inten- radiation intensities are well below the fects is undisputed. The problem is, we sity that its thermal effects could harm internationally defined thresholds. Since do not yet know how these effects come our health. they do not increase our body tempera- into being. Given the present-day status of A health risk arises if our body tempera- ture, we refer to them as non-thermal ef - knowledge, it is also difficult to say wheth- ture increases by more than 1 to 2° C as a fects. er these effects represent a health haz - result of absorbed radiation. The resulting Experiments on test subjects have demon- ard, and if so, under what circumstances. effects are similar to those experienced strated, for example, that radiation from In view of the existence of contradictory due to fever or overheating: memory dis- mobile phones can influence brain waves findings and the fact that not all experi- orders, interference with various bodily and sleep patterns. In laboratory stud- ments can be successfully repeated, it is functions, including the reproductive or- ies, behaviour changes among animals, and difficult to make a meaningful evaluation. gans. Organs that have poor blood flow and physiological changes in cell cultures, have This means that further research is essen - are therefore unable to cool quickly are es- been observed as the result of low-inten- tial if we are to gain an accurate picture pecially at risk (e.g. the eyes, which can de- sity, high-frequency radiation. of the impacts of low-intensity, high-fre- velop cataracts). If our body temperature Epidemiological studies have also given quency radiation on our health.
increases even more, this can lead to inter- rise to certain suspicions: studies carried
nal burns or even death due to heat stroke. out in the vicinity of TV and radio trans-
Intensive electromagnetic radiation can cause the body to heat up, and this results in symptoms similar to fevers. The limit values specified by the ONIR protect us against these undesirable thermal effects.
Phenomenon of Electrosensitivity
electrosensitivity
The term electrosensitivity (or electro -
Human beings do not possess a sensory or- magnetic hypersensitivity) is used when gan that enables them to directly perceive someone attributes his or her health non-ionising radiation, but it appears that problems to the effects of low-intensity some especially sensitive people are able non-ionising radiation. Here, people com- to perceive even very weak electromag- plain of frequent but non-specific symp- netic fields. Others feel certain that their toms such as sleep disturbances, head- health related symptoms are caused by aches, nervousness, general tiredness, electrosmog. lapses of concentration, tinnitus (ringing
in the ears), dizziness, aching limbs, heart Perception of weak pains.
electromagnetic fields As a rule, it is difficult to precisely deter-
mine the causes of these symptoms. In ad- Some people have the ability to conscious- dition to electrosmog, a variety of other ly perceive weak electromagnetic radia- factors come into question, such as stress, tion, which can be established in experi- noise, flickering light, chemicals, and phys- mental arrangements and tests.Test sub- ical or mental disorders. Furthermore, jects have to be able to tell the difference there are no generally acknowledged cri- between a real and a sham exposure. Ap- teria for an objective diagnosis of electro- proximately 5 percent are able to accom- sensitivity, and it also appears that ability In this scientific experiment, the subject's plish this better than they could be ex- to perceive weak fields and electrosensi- head is being exposed to electromagnet- pected to by chance. The ability to per- tivity exist independently of one another. ic fields similar to those produced by mobile ceive weak electromagnetic fields does This means that people with electrosensi- phones. Exposure for only 30 minutes already not mean, however, that the person con- tivity do not necessarily have a higher per- alters our brain activity, but it is at present cerned also suffers due to electrosmog. ception of electromagnetic fields than av- not possible to draw any clear conclusions
erage, and vice versa. from this with respect to potential harm to
Many questions still need to be answered health.
regarding these two phenomena, and
therefore a great deal of research is still
required.
People with electrosensitivity feel impaired by low intensity non-ionising radiation, even when the level is well below internationally recognised exposure limit values. The symptoms tend be non-specific, for example tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Electrosmog and health
Evaluation of effects of high-frequency radiation
Evidence Effects
Serious Reduced well-being Relevance to health unknown
Established
Probable
Possible
Improbable Not assessable
Thermal effects
(e.g. interference with memory and other functions, cataracts, internal burns)
Leukaemia / lymphomas Brain tumours
Mortality
Other types of tumour
Stillbirth Genotoxicity Breast cancer Eye tumours Testicle tumours
Non-specific symptoms (headaches, fatigue, problems of concentration, disquiet, burning skin, etc.)
Quality of sleep Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
Mental symptoms Unspecific symptoms (insomnia, headaches, etc.)
Brain activity Sleep phases
Cognitive functions, reaction times
Hormone system Immune system High blood pressure
Source of exposure
Various, above exposure limit values
Mobile phones
Mobile phones Mobile phones
TV / radio transmitters Mobile phones
Radio transmitters Mobile phones
Mobile phones
Mobile phones Various
Diathermy devices Workplace exposure Various
Mobile phones
Radar guns
Various
Mobile phone base stations
Various
Various
Radio transmitters
Explanations concerning the table on pages 12 and 13
The table on pages and is largely based on a study entitled "High frequency radia-
tion and human health", published in 00 and updated in 00 (BUWAL UM-D), which was produced by the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, Basel, on behalf of the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape. It presents a differentiated assessment of the findings from more than 00 studies.
The "evidence" column indicates the degree of certainty of each effect. For this purpose it has been divided into the following categories:
Established: The effect concerned is able to stand up to strict scientific examination. Secondly, the relevance of the effects to hu-
man health was evaluated, regardless of their Probable: The effect concerned has been indicated degree of certainty:
established in a variety of studies, the quality
of which is high enough to permit the exclu- Serious: The effect concerned represents a sion of other influencing factors with a high drastic restriction of quality of life. It is life degree of certainty, but a plausible causation threatening and will shorten life expectancy. mechanism is nonetheless lacking.
Reduced well-being: The effect significant- Possible: The effect concerned has been ly restricts quality of life and well-being, but observed in various studies, but the findings the symptoms are not directly life threaten- are not consistent. Reports concerning indi- ing.
vidual cases support the scientific indicators.
Relevance to health unknown: The effect Improbable: There are no indicators for the is physiologically measurable, but the ob- effect concerned, but multiple indicators of served changes are within the normal varia-
its absence. bility range of healthy individuals. Since it is normally not perceived, it does not represent
Not assessable: The available data are insuf- an acute health risk, nor does it have an im- ficient for making a meaningful assessment. pact on quality of life. However, it is not clear
whether it could lead to a health risk in the longer term.