Italy has strict  limits for RF and EMF, far lower than ICNIRP or the FCC 

RF Limits for Cell Tower Emissions Lower in Country and Lower Near Homes

• Power Density: The exposure limit is 1 W/m^2. Moreover, in homes, schools, playgrounds and places where people may stay for longer than 4 hours, an ‘attention value’ of 0.1 W/m^2 is applied and averaged over any 24 hour period. A ‘quality goal’ for new installations is identical to the attention value. World Health Organization Country RF Limits
• The exposure limit in Italy for radio-frequency radiation is 6 V/m, which is ten times lower than in most of the western world, and industry states that this impacts their ability to more economically deploy 5G- ie. costs industry more.  The Italian Parliament proposed amendments to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan that would have raised the exposure limit to 61 V/m but after 340,000 signatures on a petition delivered by the Alleanza Italiana Stop 5G, a hunger strike and a highly publicised 5G Marathon online, this was halted. 
• Italy has a very strong movement to stop 5G.  Over 600 cities in Italy have passed resolutions to halt 5G until safety research has been completed. In March 2021 the Stop 5G Marathon was screened on Italy La Casa del Sole TV for 3 days with numerous speakers and experts including Dr. Devra Davis and Theodora Scarato of the Environmental Health Trust.

  • Watch their presentation (English)
  • Watch the Stop 5G Marathon  Day 1 
  • Watch the Stop 5G Marathon Day 2 
  • Watch the Stop 5G Marathon Day 3 

The country refuses to change limits for 5G

Several attempts have been made to weaken Italy’s strict limits over the years. These attempts have repeatedly failed due to the massive opposition by the public and scientists.  Most recently in 2023, the attempt was halted. In 2023, a scientific letter was sent to the officials by numerous experts calling for the people to be protected with strict limits. 

Download the letter by scientists to the Italian government here. 

“Our studies, and more generally international research in the latest twenty years, have largely demonstrated that exposure to radiofrequency, even below the current ICNIRP/WHO safety standards, can cause damage to health and it can reduce the levels of well-being in the general population.”

Magnetic Fields ELF- EMF Limits Lower for Homes

• 3 microT as quality goal (precautionary “technological” goal applicable for new building/electrical installations); 10 microT as “attention value” (precautionary value not to be exceeded in residential buildings and areas where people can stay > 4 hours); 100 microT as “exposure limit” (not to be exceeded anywhere) (See WHO)
• Italian Decree of 8 July 2003 (electric and magnetic fields of power lines): Intervention level 10 microteslas (µT) for existing installations at playgrounds, flats, schools and areas where people stay 4 hours per day or more. Quality objective = 3 microteslas (µT) for new lines and for planings. There are more stringent guidelines in three regions: 0,2 microteslas (µT)

As of May 23, 2020 there were according to Stop 5G Italia 

• 600+ MUNICIPALITIES OFFICIALLY STOP5G
• 309 STATUTORY AUDITORS HAVE DELIVERED ORDINANCES STOP5G 
• 2 REGIONS HAVE APPROVED MOTIONS FOR THE PRECAUTION

See a full list here.  

2019 Health Ministry Campaign to Reduce Radiation Exposure

Campaign Webpage “Correct Use of Mobile Phones”

Focus on EMFs from Phone 

“Use your messages, speakerphone or headset on your cell phone.  To reduce exposure to electromagnetic waves on your mobile phone, we recommend using messages, the speakerphone or the headset.” created by the ministries of Health, Education, University and Research, the Environment www.cellulari. salute.gov.it”

• Poster: Infographic on reducing cell phone radiation

• Video Information Campaign “Reducing Cell Phone Radiation” 

 

2019: Municipality of Rocca di Papa, Italy  voted on a Moratorium to halt 5G 

2019: Florence approves precautionary stance on 5G. 

• “It is written that as the highest local health authority, Mayor Dario Nardella is officially committed “to elaborate an overall plan, in agreement with the competent authorities, for the installations of the 5G technology before issuing individual authorizations in view of the application of the Precautionary Principle and public health”, “carefully evaluating any authorization for 5G installations in the territory of the municipality of Florence”. Dr. Lennart Hardells blog April 8, 2019
• “It causes damage to the body!” Florence brakes on 5G and applies the Precautionary Principle. The motion to defend health was approved with (almost) unanimous vote – April 5 2019

2019: XII Municipality of Rome votes against 5G.  

“With 11 votes in favor and 3 abstentions, the XII Municipality of Roma Capitale has deliberated against the experimentation . A large slice of the city of Rome therefore wants to avoid fifth generation wireless, creating a ‘5G free’ hole in the Portuense, Gianicolense and Monteverde areas up to Maccarese and Castel di Guido: “We ask the mayor to stop the 5G trial and not to raise the limit values ​​in the threshold of electromagnetic radiation avoiding the positioning of groups of mini-millimeter microwave antennas on homes, schools, day centers, recreation centers, street lamps and more “, is written in the approved text.”

• This action was followed by a National Stop 5G conference n Milan, promoted by the Italian Electrosensitive Association with speakers including Dr. Fiorella Belpoggi of the Ramazzini Institute, Dr. Olle Johansson, neuroscientist at the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and Stefano Bertone, one of the lawyers who represented the plaintiff involved in the landmark cell phone case that recognized a causal role between cell phone use and tumor development.
• Stop 5G Program
• Watch Video of Conference

• News articles:  

 

• March 219: A Municipality of Rome votes against 5G: what will the Giunta do?
• March 2019: “Resounding, in Rome and Trento we vote to stop 5G: they don’t want it   – EXCLUSIVE NEWS OASI SANA” 

2019: Italian Court Orders Italian Government to Launch Awareness Campaign on Cell Phone Radiation 

An Italian court has ordered the government to launch a campaign to advise the public of the health risks from mobile and cordless phones to begin by July 16. A citizens group called APPLE (Association for the Prevention of and Fight Against Electrosmog)  sued to force the government to act. 

• The Regional Administrative Court for Lazio decision that Italian government must inform the public of the health risks of mobile phones

Joint press release on Court decision between the Ministry of the Environment, Education and Health, January 16, 2019

• “The Lazio Regional Administrative Court, welcoming the appeal of the Association for the prevention and fight against electrosmog, asks the Ministries of Environment, Health and Education, University and Research to arrange to adopt an information campaign on correct use of mobile phones. The three ministries welcome the judicial decision, convinced of the need to raise awareness on the issue and to promote prevention measures.The ministries are already at work for the establishment of a joint table that will have the purpose of following up what has been decided by the administrative judges.”

News coverage on the court decision 

• Local news coverage from La Repubblica 
• Corriere della Sera news coverage  
• AP Daily Journal Court orders Italian govt to publicize cellphone risks
• APPLE’s press release 
• Health risks arising from mobile phone misuse: government ordered to launch information campaign, International Law office, May 2019
• Cellulari, Tar del Lazio obbliga i ministeri a fare informazione su rischi connessi al loro uso: “Campagna entro 6 mesi”

2019: Court orders school in Florence  -the Botticelli Comprehensive Institute- to turn off the Wi-Fi to protect the health of a child. In March 2019 a Court hearing will determine if the Wi-Fi should remain off in the school. 

According to IlFattoQuotidianon News “In Florence, the court will turn off the Wifi at school. An extraordinarily innovative act” January 28, 2019 

• “There is an unheard-of altera parte – reads the order notified to the school manager – that the Botticelli Comprehensive Institute removes immediately the WiFi systems in the institute “.
• “Internet service can be guaranteed by the institute also through systems that do not produce electrosmog, without the use of wireless Wi-Fi”, clearly pointing to the vision of the Decree 11 January 2017 issued by former Minister for the Environment Gian Luca Galletti who, on the subject of indoor pollution for the offices of the public administration, ordered the replacement of Wi-Fi with the safest wiring, ie the cable connection already provided several virtuous schools of Italy (2013 motion of the Regional Council of Piedmont, 2015 motion of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, while the City of Brescia has then wired those in its municipality as well as, among the controversy of those who diverted the heart of the problem, in a prudential manner the mayor of Borgo Franco d’Ivrea made his classrooms electrosmog free).

2019: Italian Court Orders Italian Government to Launch Awareness Campaign on Cell Phone Radiation

An Italian court has ordered the government to launch a campaign to advise the public of the health risks from mobile and cordless phones to begin by July 16. A citizens group called APPLE (Association for the Prevention of and Fight Against Electrosmog)  sued to force the government to act.

• The Regional Administrative Court for Lazio decision that Italian government must inform the public of the health risks of mobile phones

 

Joint press release on Court decision between the Ministry of the Environment, Education and Health, January 16, 2019

• “The Lazio Regional Administrative Court, welcoming the appeal of the Association for the prevention and fight against electrosmog, asks the Ministries of Environment, Health and Education, University and Research to arrange to adopt an information campaign on correct use of mobile phones. The three ministries welcome the judicial decision, convinced of the need to raise awareness on the issue and to promote prevention measures.The ministries are already at work for the establishment of a joint table that will have the purpose of following up what has been decided by the administrative judges.”

 

News coverage on the court decision

• Local news coverage from La Repubblica

• Corriere della Sera news coverage

• AP Daily Journal Court orders Italian govt to publicize cellphone risks

• APPLE’s press release

 

 

2018: The City Council of Bologna unanimously approved an initiative to inform the public about the health risks of cell phone and wireless radiation in light of the NTP and Ramazzini Institute studies.  According to news reports the action calls for the Council to: 

• Inform the public about the health risks of cell phone and wireless radiation
• Invite mayor Virginio Merola and the junta “to take action, including with the Emilia-Romagna Region, with the Ausl and the competent institutions, through appropriate communication channels, to launch a public information campaign, so that the population citizen is aware of the risks involved in using mobile phones inappropriately. “
• Proposes to the mayor “to request a commitment in this sense also to telephone companies”.

• Read June 26, 2018 News Report  bologna.repubblica.it “The telephone companies inform about the risks of the mobile phone”: the appeal from Bologna”

2018: The Ramazzini Institute of Bologna has developed materials to share to high school students on how to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation. Click here to download PDF. 

2017 Decree of the Environment Minister has recommendations on reducing EMF. 

Section 2.3.5.4 of the Decree recommends reducing exposure to indoor electromagnetic pollution

• Reduce low frequency magnetic fields: “In order to reduce as far as possible the indoor exposure to low frequency magnetic fields (ELFs) induced by electrical panels, uprights, conductor dorsals, etc.” the design of the plants must provide that meters and electric panels are  outside the building and take measures to reduce levels.  
• Reduce Radio frequency radiation: Reduce as much as possible the indoor exposure to high-frequency magnetic fields (RF)  equip  with alternative data transfer systems to wi-fi, eg. cable connection or Powerline communication (PLC) technology.  
• This was started by a Communication by ECC (COM(2003) 302),   to European Parliament  about: Integrated Product Policy: Develop the concept of “environmental lifecycle.
• Read the 2017 Decree of the Environment Minister page 20-21. 

News on the Directive: “Replace The WiFi Dangerous With Safer Wiring: It Is Law But No One Knows!” Di Maurizio Martucci, July 11, 2017

Occupational Safety Database: National database of emission levels of equipment funded by Ministry of Health, regarding occupational exposure to physical agents including EMF  www.portaleagentifisici.it

The site is managed and upgraded by INAIL, in cooperation with Tuscany regional authority, and local occupational safety and prevention Departments of Siena and Modena cities. The development of the web site is absolutely relevant in the frame of public information activities, specifically designed for occupational safety.

2017: The Italian Court of Ivrea ruling recognizes causal link between cellphone use and brain tumor. 

• Italian court is the first in the world to recognize this causal link in an April 11, 2017 ruling which awarded a Telecom employee, Roberto Romeo, lifetime damages of 500 euros a month after he developed a brain tumor from fifteen years of cellphone use. 
• Original Ruling 
• Press Release EHT 
• Cell phones and cancer, court adviser: “Scientific studies Authors work for telephone companies: conflict of interest”  by Andrea Tundo (In Italian and can be translated.) 
• Documents in Italian: The Court’s expert report, the defendant’s critics and final reply from the experts: Consulenza Ivrea Tribunale di Ivrea, Sezione Lavoro: Osservazioni CTU Romeo INAIL: Risposta CTU: Tribunale Ordinario di Ivrea:
• The Guardian News Article: “Italian court rules mobile phone use caused brain tumour”
• NY Daily News Article: “Italian Court Finds Link Between Cell Phone Use and Tumor”
• Courthouse News Service Article: “Italian Court Finds Link Between Cell Phone Use and Tumor”

2016: Mayor of Borgofranco d’Ivrea ordered Wi-Fi to be turned off in schools. “Mayor Livio Tola told the town’s high school and elementary school to return to using cables to connect to the internet after reading that the electromagnetic waves given off by wireless routers were especially harmful to young children.” 

• The Local News Article: “Italian town shuts down wifi over health fears.” 
• Torino News Article: “Ivrea, The Mayor Removes WiFi as it Could Be Dangerous”.  

2015: State Parliament of South Tyrol voted to reconfirm the precautionary principle: The State Government was mandated: 

• To replace existing wireless networks whenever possible with networks that emit less radiation at schools, preschools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other public facilities. 

 

• Establish a working group whose mandate it is to assess these new technologies and their exposure levels. With regard to wireless communication technologies, mobile Internet access, and public health, the working group shall clarify which technologies emit less radiation and provide sustainable technology options and 
• To start an education and awareness campaign that informs about possible health risks, especially regarding the unborn, infants, children, and adolescents and that develops guidelines for a safer use of cell phones, smartphones, and Wi-Fi. 
• Previous Hearing at the Parliament of South Tyrol, 29 April 2015 – “hearing on the effects of mobile radio”
• Discussion at the Plenary Session: “Mobile Communications, Refugees”
• Kompetenzinitiative News Article: “Parliament of South Tyrol Reconfirms Precautionary Principle” 
• Official Resolution – “WLAN, mobile radio, radiation exposure: does the precautionary principle apply” 

2012 Italian Supreme Court Ruling:  Man’s brain tumor was caused by his cell phone use. 

• The National Institute for Workmen’s Compensation must compensate a worker with head tumor due to cell use. 
• Reuters News Article – “Italy court ruling links mobile phone use to tumor”
• RT News Article – “Cancer cells: Italian court rules ‘mobile phones can cause brain tumors’”
• Daily Mail News Article – Mobile phones CAN cause brain tumours, court rules in landmark case.

 

Lecce, Italy, “Istituto Comprensivo Alighieri- Diaz” School banned wifi: Their two resolutions decided:

• To ban wifi in school and install a wired system for the use of internet and reject the request of the local government (Municipality) to install an antenna on the school roof for the wireless signal providing for the “Wireless city” program. 
• The resolution also asks the Municipality to install the antenna at a reasonable distance from school.

The Piemonte Region Council adopted a resolution to limit EMF exposure by limiting the use of wifi in schools and be considerate to the problem of EHS people. 

• Original Resolution – “Adoption of the Precautionary Principle exposition Installations in Wireless Environments in School” 

The Italian Society for Preventive and Social Pediatrics has officially called to prohibit cell phones for children under 10 years old. 

• Giuseppe Di Mauro, president of the Italian Society of social and preventive pediatrics [Società italiana di pediatria preventiva e sociale (www.sipps.it)] “We do not know all the consequences associated with cell phone use, but excessive use could can lead to  concentration and memory loss, increase in aggressiveness and sleep disturbances.” and he cites electromagnetic fields stating“The damage to health are increasingly evident”  
• Il Tirreno Tuscany News Article – “Pediatricians: Phone Alarm for Kids” 

2016 – Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino laid out plans “to cut back on Wi-Fi in state schools and government buildings over concerns that radiation might damage people’s health”. 

The Local News Report “Turin could slash Wi-Fi over ‘radiation’ concerns”