The exposure of the general public in the Nordic countries due to mobile phone base stations, TV- and radio transmitters and wireless technology is well below the international recommendations.
The Radiation Safety Authorities in the Nordic countries have issued a common statement saying that at present there is no need for a common recommendation for further actions to reduce these radiofrequency fields.
Radiation safety authorities from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland have released a common statement regarding public exposure generated by fixed transmitters located in our surroundings. They agree that there is no scientific evidence for adverse health effects caused by radiofrequency field strengths in the normal living environment at present.
Nowadays, people are exposed to radiofrequency fields everywhere. However, the typical exposure levels are far below hundredth part of the exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Therefore, the radiation safety authorities see no need to take any further action to reduce this exposure.
However, many of the technologies which use radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have only been prevalent for less than two decades. It is therefore important to continue active research on the possible health effects of radiofrequency radiation and reappraisal of the scientific literature concerning this issue. It is also important to follow developments in exposure from different sources and the possible health consequences from such development.
Reduction of base stations increases public exposure
The Nordic authorities emphasise that to reduce the total public exposure from wireless communications systems it is necessary to complete integrated planning that takes into account radiation emitted from both fixed antennas and hand-held devices such as mobile phones.
In terms of overall public exposure, mobile phones are a much more significant source of radiofrequency radiation than base stations. If their number is reduced, mobile phones will need to use higher power to maintain their connection, which increases public exposure to radiation.
The common Nordic statement on mobile phones (21 September 2004) is still valid.
Exposure of the general public to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields