Precautionary lower level for magnetic field limits – lower than ICNIRP

•  Act on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Act (NISV) (1 February 2000) Precautionary limit values. Distinction between new and old installations: Installations built after 1 February are termed “new” and have precautionary emission limits (installation limits). installation limit for magnetic fields: 1 microtesla (µT) electric field strength 

 

Radiofrequency Radiation Limits Far More Strict Than ICNIRP

Radiofrequency radiation limits are much stricter than ICNIRP or FCC limits. Even with the strong push for 5G in 2019, Switzerland refused to weaken their radiofrequency radiation limits: A parliamentary motion demanding a weakening of the precautionary emission limitations for mobile phone base stations has been rejected by the Swiss Parliament after they convened experts to develop a report (2019 Report “Mobile Radio and Radiation” by the working group on Mobile Radio and Radiation) Therefore the precautionary installation limit values in the ONIR remain at 4-6 V/m for this type of installations.

Reuters covered this action “Swiss maintain 5G emission standards amid safety concerns”

• “The Swiss government will keep current safety standards for fifth-generation (5G) mobile frequency emissions, it said on Wednesday, settling a debate that has delayed the rollout of the new technology.”
• “Concerns about the potential health impact of 5G emissions have flared in Switzerland, where just over half of people fear that radiation from mobile antennas may be dangerous, a government report last year found.”
• “The Federal Council (cabinet) wants to maintain for the time being the applicable (emission) limits to protect the population from non-ionizing radiation,” it said in a statement.”

Switzerland Measures the Radiofrequency Radiation Throughout the Country 

• https://esmog-gis.ch/ is the link to the online map with RF measurements.

Government Has a Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation (BERENIS)

• In Switzerland, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is the responsible government body for monitoring and assessing research on health effects of non-ionising radiation (NIR) from stationary sources in the environment. The FOEN has nominated BERENIS – Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation- a consultative group of Swiss experts from various disciplines with scientific expertise regarding electromagnetic fields. The BERENIS experts regularly screen the scientific literature, and assess the publications which they consider relevant for the protection of humans from potentially adverse effects.
•  Regular BERENIS  Newsletter and Scientific Updates 
• 2019 Report “Mobile Radio and Radiation” by the working group on Mobile Radio and Radiation

 

Regarding 5G, in 2019 several regions voted against the rollout and the country  is going to monitor  EMF levels. News stories :

• Switzerland to measure RFR levels and monitor potential health risks posed by 5G networks
• Switzerland will monitor the risks arising from the 5G’s radiations
• Switzerland, Geneva, Canton of Vaud, Geneva stops construction of 5G antennas, 20 Minutes Switzerland, 11/04/2019

• Switzerland, Cantons of Geneva, Vaud, and Neuchatel, Switzerland blocks the deployment of 5G telephony until its security is demonstrated, ABC Society, 14/04/2019
• Switzerland, canton of Vaud, Swiss canton blocks 5G mobile rollout, le News Switzerland, 11/04/2019

 

The Switzerland Federal Office for the Environment  Webpage Informs Public about EMF and how to reduce exposure.

2019 UPDATE: Changes were made on the website downplaying the risk. 

For example, in 2015 they stated regarding Wi-Fi WLAN  “It is currently not known whether the electromagnetic fields created by WLANs pose a risk to health. WLAN devices generally emit a low level of radiation, and caution should be exercised primarily when using devices held close to the body, such as laptops, PDAs and Internet telephones.

We would offer the following advice to people who prefer to minimise their personal exposure by keeping the electromagnetic fields in their home or office as small as possible:” 

And in 2019 they updated the website information on Wi-Fi WLAN to state, “ Existing studies on high-frequency radiation from WLANs do not provide substantiated findings or plausible evidence of health risks. Protective measures against electromagnetic radiation emitted by WLANs are therefore not necessary for the general public.” 

In 2019 they released a new Factsheet on Cell Phone Radiation that also downplays the risk stating, “The effects on health from long-term exposure to high-frequency radiation from mobile phones remain uncertain at present; negative effects from short-term exposure are not expected.” 

• Faktenblatt – Mobiltelefon & Smartphone
• Page on Factsheets 

 

Previous to 2019:  Information can be viewed by using the WayBack Machine at this link to the Switzerland Website. 

• “Mobile as an electrosmog source” 
• “How strong is mobile radiation?”  – Webpage that contains a PDF of tips for mobile phone use from the Federal Office of Public Health and which states “caution should be exercised primarily when using devices held close to the body, such as laptops, PDAs and Internet telephones..” and gives recommendations  on how to reduce exposure including turning the Wi-Fi off when not in use, installing the access point one metre away from places where you work, sit or rest for long periods of time  and keeping laptops off laps”.
• Factsheets on Electromagnetic Radiation. Includes cell phones, baby monitors and WiFi. 
  • Place the babyphone at least one meter away from the cot.  Do not use devices that send continuously. Set the baby unit to “automatic voice control” or “VOX” mode.  If you are using the baby monitor with an AC adapter, make sure there is a distance of 50 cm between the adapter and the cot.

 

March 15, 2015 Saved Mobile Phone Page: Can be translated to English via google. 

• Cordless Phones , WLAN 
  • Use a wireless hands-free system (headphone, headset)  to reduce radiation to the head.

  • When buying a mobile phone, make sure it has a low SAR

  • Never use a phone while you are a driving a vehicle, not even with a hands-free kit.

  • Be wary of radiation shields and other such protective devices that are claimed to limit exposure to radiation. They may reduce the connection quality and therefore force the phone to transmit at a higher output power.

  • People with active medical implants should keep their mobile phone at least 30 cm away from the implant at all times.

  • Ensure that DECT base units are placed at least 50 cm away from relaxation places or work stations occupied for long periods.

  • For longer calls, use a corded phone instead, or use a headset. Remember that some corded phones also operate according to the DECT standard and thus produce emissions.

  • Low radiation DECT telephones are available in specialised shops. There are models where the base station does not emit radiation when the headset is in place and models where the headset reduces radiation if there is a good connection with the base station. More information about this is available in specialised shops or via the following web page:

  • Only switch your WLAN on when you need it. With laptops, in particular, it is a good idea to switch the WLAN off as otherwise the device will repeatedly try to connect to a network, leading to unnecessary radiation and a shorter battery life.

  • Don’t hold your laptop close to your body while it is connected to a WLAN.

  • Wherever possible, install the access point one metre away from places where you work, sit or rest for long periods of time.

  • Position the access point centrally so that all the devices in the network have good reception.

  • Choose the WLAN g standard in preference to the b standard. Exposure to radiation is lower with this standard because it transmits data more efficiently.

  • If it is possible to adjust the power of the network, the transmission power should be optimised at the access point for the area that needs to be supplied.

  • A WLAN transmitter must only be used with an antenna provided for this purpose by the manufacturer. If an unsuitable antenna with an excessive antenna gain is used, the maximum permitted transmission power may be exceeded.

  • The measures recommended by the FOPH for reducing radiation exposure when using mobile phones apply to WLAN-enabled mobile phones that are used for Internet telephony.


 

• Publications on Electrosmog in the environment – Precautionary protection provided by the installation limit values is limited to locations where people regularly spend lengthy periods of time. Here, long-term exposure shall be kept as low as possible. Places of sensitive use include apart- ments, schools, hospitals, offices and playgrounds, but do not include balconies and roof terraces, stairways, garages, storage and archive rooms, temporary workplaces, churches, concert halls and theatres, camp sites, sports and leisure-time facilities, passenger areas in railways, observation decks. 

• 2015 Environmental Report – Chapter 17 on Electrosmog states “Effects can also be detected for weak radiation intensity. For example, weak high-frequency radiation can alter electric brain activity and influence brain metabolism and blood flow. Whether these effects have an impact on health is still unclear”  and recommends the precautionary principle to reduce risk “Because major gaps still exist in our knowledge about the health impacts of long-term exposure to weak non-ionising radiation, the adopted protective strategy should be pursued consistently.” 
• 2012 Radiation of radio transmitters and Health  – “In view of the fact that there are gaps in the available data, the absence of proof of health risks does not automatically also mean proof of their absence. From the scientific point of view, a cautious approach in dealing with non-ionising radiation is still called for. There remains a need for extensive research into the potential long-term effects”

 

2017 Letter Issued by the Child and Youth Health Service of Geneva Switzerland on the Health Risks of Use of Digital Technology

July 2017, the Child and Youth Service of the Department of Public Instruction of Geneva issued a letter on the risks of digital technology to health to be transmitted to all teachers at the start of the school year. The letter  reminds us that screens also affect sleep and eyesight, and favor the development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The letter mentions electromagnetic radiation  in the context of cancer risk and the precautionary recommendations by the Federal Office for Public Health regarding use of Wi-Fi- WLAN. The letter includes the recommendations to  “Only switch your WLAN on when you need it. With laptops, in particular, it is a good idea to switch the WLAN off as otherwise the device will repeatedly try to connect to a network, leading to unnecessary radiation and a shorter battery life” and “Don’t hold your laptop close to your body while it is connected to a WLAN.” 

 Read the translated letter here. 

 

2008 – The Governing Council of Thurgau Canton Recommends Hard-Wired Schools  

• “Parliamentary Inquiry on Wireless LAN at Elementary, Junior and Secondary High Schools”
• “The Governing Council recommends for schools to forgo the use of wireless networks when the structural makeup of a given school building allows for a wired network.“ 

 

Swiss Physicians Association of Doctors for Environmental Protection 

• 2012 Swiss Physicians Letter  stating, “the risk of cancer for this type of [wireless] radiation is similar to that of the insecticide DDT, rightfully banned… From the medical point of view, it is urgent to apply the precautionary principle for mobile telephony, WiFi, power lines, etc.” 
• 2014: Preliminary draft for a federal law on the protection against dangers: Non-ionizing radiation (NIS) is growing steadily. Especially the everyday stress in the area of ​​low-frequency and high-frequency.
• 2016: Press Release on the NTP Study and Policy Implications: “There are increasingly clear indications that mobile radio is a health hazard. From a medical point of view it is clear: the scientific results so far show it is clear that prudent avoidance of unnecessary exposures is necessary.” 
• Report on Smartphones- (OEKOSKOP 1/16)  
• AefU-News about Electrosmogcontent.