What are limit values??

The limit values for mobile phone radiation are based on the guidelines of the International Commission of Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) as well as on recommendations of the Radiation Protection Commission. The limit values are supposed to minimize the radiation exposure for the mobile phone users so that there are no health risks.

But exactly there is the crunch: the limit values are of no medical relevance. In order to establish the threshold values the BfS confines itself exclusively to the thermal effects, so for example to the fact that the ear warms up while telephoning with the mobile phone for longer periods. The biological effects of mobile phone radiation have been ignored for years – although more and more studies are being published all over the world, which prove that mobile phone radiation might have serious biological effects on the body already far below the valid limit values.

In addition, the limit values are not based on examinations on living organisms. The measurements were taken at so-called phantoms instead, at a plastic head with electrolyte-containing water. And concerning the limit values possible long-term effects aren’t taken into account either. This is what the ICNIRP even admits. In the guidelines determining the threshold values one can read that the limit values refer to „short-term, immediate health effects” shown by “elevated tissue temperatures“.

Even the BfS says: “Long-term effects for periods of use exceeding fifteen years remain an open issue.“

Mind you, the threshold values in Germany have been valid since 1997, so for 24 years. The BfS is still sticking to these values and refers stoically to the thermal effect of mobile phone radiation: “In the high frequency range of electromagnetic fields, limit values are aimed at excluding health-relevant thermal exposures of the body.”

Biological effects verified for years

But what are the biological effects that are triggered by mobile phone radiation on human beings? Among other things, in 2010, researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute examined mice that were burdened with cancer and then exposed to mobile phone radiation. The value of the mobile phone radiation was far below the statutory threshold value. The result:The mice exposed to radiation developed more tumours than mice which were not exposed to any radiation.

Even a replication study in 2015 which was commissioned by the BfS showed that the tumour-promoting effects were significant among some of the examined types of liver and lung tumour already in the group with the lowest SAR value of 0.04 W/kg.The SAR value permitted by the BfS is at 0.08 W/kg, thus the double.

In other words: Mobile phone radiation can have a carcinogenic or cancer-promoting effect – also far below the limit values. This is what the BfS had to admit indirectly. Officially the Office claims further on that “possible health impacts […] could, however, not be proven scientifically“.. So the limit values of the year 1997 are still valid today.

The research results, however, cannot be disputed. In addition, meanwhile, there is a great number of scientific studies worldwide, such as the NTP study or the Ramazzini study (both dating from 2018), which come to similar conclusions. That’s why more and more scientists call for a strict revision of the limit values.

Switzerland lowers limit values

Other countries like Switzerland have now reacted to the increasing number of research reports and lowered significantly the limit values for mobile phone radiation. In a declaration about this, one can read that the precautionary principle of the Environmental Protection Act (Umweltschutzgesetz, USG) demands that the exposure should generally be low – as low as technically and operationally possible and economically viable. That’s why the Federal Council of Germany has additionally established the stricter installation limit values – based on the precautionary principle of the Environmental Protection Act – in order to keep particularly the long-term exposure low.

In the meantime, a citizens’ initiative has been formed in Switzerland, which stands up for less radiation exposure. The initiative SaferPhone suggests specific solutions to transform the digital infrastructure in order to reduce the radiation exposure considerably.

Protection against high-frequency radiation

It will become apparent if such possible solutions will gain acceptance. In Germany we are still miles away from this. That’s why the protection against high-frequency radiation is crucial for our daily usage of mobile phone, laptop etc. The cell biologist professor Peter C. Dartsch has examined for year in his research work in what way mobile phone radiation has an effect on living cells and what happens when the memon technology comes into use. In a video the experts talks about the astonishing results:

watch the video