Greek law mandates lower RF exposures near schools, nurseries and hospitals and bans antennas on school grounds.
- The exposure limits in Greece are at 70% of the official European limits. In areas less than 300 m from schools, hospitals and nurseries the exposure limit is lower at 60% of the official European limits.
- Installation of mobile phone base stations at the premises of schools, kindergartens, hospitals or eldercare facilities is forbidden.
Government mandates annual measurements in at least 20% of all antenna stations installed in urban areas.
- The results of all measurements performed in the vicinity of antenna stations, are uploaded to EEAE’s web site (http://eeae.gr/). Until June 2017, the results of in situ measurements in the vicinity of more than 10000 base stations are uploaded to this webpage
- The third annual report concerning the operational aspects and the measurement results of the National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields was published in February 2019 (https://paratiritirioemf.eeae.gr/images/news/EEAE_EPHP_report_2018.pdf, in Greek language). The measurement results of the first three years of operation (2016-2018) of the National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields revealed that all values were well below the reference levels for general public exposure, as defined by the Greek legislation. The results of this national monitoring network which is operated and controlled by EEAE, are presented through an interactive web portal (https://paratiritirioemf.eeae.gr), in which data are constantly updated with the latest station measurements.
Allowable radiofrequency radiation is set to 70% of the 1999 EU Council’s Recommendation basic restrictions and reference levels
The Greek government submission to the WHO EMF project states that, “According also to a new law (Law No 4070, Act. No. 82/A/10.04.2012 entitled: Regulations concerning electronic communications, transport, public works and other provisions), the safety limits for the exposure of the general public in the vicinity of all kinds of antenna stations are set (again, as in the previous legislation) to 70% of the 1999 EU Council’s Recommendation basic restrictions and reference levels values in all cases and to 60% of them for stations located closer than 300 meters from the perimeter of schools, kindergartens, hospitals or eldercare facilities. It should also be noted that according to this legislation, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) or other authorized by it laboratories, are monitoring electromagnetic field exposure levels by performing in situ measurements, ex officio or within 20 working days after request of any interested party. These measurements shall be performed every year in the vicinity of at least 20% of all the antenna stations installed in urban areas and their results shall be announced on the web site of GAEC (as it was also provisioned in the previous legislation). Concerning the funding of these activities, the owners of all licensed antenna stations are billed annually the sum of 200€ for each antenna station and everybody asking for measurements in his premises is charged with a fee of 160€. It should also be noted that with the new legislation, installation of mobile phone base stations at the premises of schools, kindergartens, hospitals or eldercare facilities is still forbidden.”
2012 – The Greek government website materials recommend reducing cell phone radiation to children under 16 and they inform citizens of non-ionizing radiation power levels in their community.
- The National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields – Interactive web portal linked to a network of 500 fixed measurement stations throughout Greece that continuously monitor the EMF levels from all kinds of antenna stations in the frequency range 100 kHz – 7 GHz.
- In July 2008, the Ministry of Infrastracture, Transport and Networks held a public consultation about a new legislation that will establish at national level, a network of fixed and mobile measurement stations for continuous monitoring of the EMF levels from all kind of antenna stations. According to the draft text of this legislation, the results of this measurement network will be available via internet to every citizen.
- ELF and EMF Site Measurements can be looked up for various locations at EEAE.
- The Greek government funds research as detailed on the WHO EMF report.
- The Q and A on RF radiation states the following text about children:
“Even though it hasn’t been proven conclusively that children are more sensitive/reactive than adults to exposure to radiation, nevertheless, the direct/pointed recommendation of international organizations is that children be discouraged from [literally translated, learn not to trust] using cell phones. The above statement is supported by the following:
- Up to about the age of 16, the nervous system of the human body is in the process of development. Consequently, it’s totally possible (although not conclusively proven by relevant scientific research) that up until this age, human being are more sensitive to any number of factors/elements/determinants.
- Younger people have more years ahead of them than older persons during which the long –term effects of mobile phones can be manifested.
- Environmental factors/elements have a greater general impact on the health of children than on the health of adults.”
Athens Medical Association
2017 the Athens Medical Association voted to issue 16 recommendations to reduce human exposure to wireless radiation. Read the press release here.
16 RULES FOR SAFER USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
- Use your cell phone with caution and make brief calls as necessary
- Children under the age of 14 should make limited use of cell phones
- Do not put your cell phone in contact with your head
- Do not use your cell phone inside a car, train, aeroplane, or elevator
- Restrict cell phone use when children or pregnant women are near
- Keep mobile phones away from your body
- When using your cell phone keep a safe distance from others
- Do not carry or keep your cell phone inside your pockets
- At bedtime, disable WiFi on your router and switch off your mobile phone
- Do not play games on-line; and if you will, first switch to airplane mode
- Hands-Free option is always preferable though may not be completely safe
- Wireless connections may increase your exposure to microwave radiation
- Limit WiFi connectivity and use hard-wired connection whenever possible
- When signal strength is weak do not attempt to make a call
- If a corded landline is available make use of this as a preferred option
- Disable WiFi, Bluetooth & Data options from your cell phone and other mobile device(s) when not needed.
Athens Medical Association website page on Electromagnetic Radiation and Health Conference whereby doctors voted to issue these recommendations.
