Man is exposed to various radiations on a daily basis, most of which, at moderate exposure, will have no impact on health. As far as mobile telephony is concerned, electromagnetic radiation is frequently brought up in a negative context, although it is present all around us and may originate from natural and artificial sources. Light produced by light bulbs at home and radio waves are just the simplest examples of electromagnetic radiation – other sources are household appliances, high-voltage lines, TV antennas, radio communication systems toys on wireless management. Man is constantly exposed also to other types of electromagnetic radiation:
- Radiation in the low-frequency range: AM and FM radio, TV, base stations, radars, high-voltage lines, GPS devices, toasters, microwave ovens,
- Radiation in the medium-frequency range : infrared and visible light,
- Radiation in the high-frequency range : ultraviolet light, x-ray and gamma radiation.
Permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation
In Croatia, the Ordinance on Protection from Electromagnetic Fields (OG 146/2014) issued by the Ministry of Health, is in effect. All telecommunication equipment is subject to the provisions of the Ordinance on special conditions of installation and use of radio stations (OG 45/2012). The international Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) has been issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These safety limitations are safe enough for the whole population and have been accepted for worldwide application by the UN WHO, and they are also applied by Croatian Telecom. However, compared to these standards, Croatian regulations are considerably stricter:
- safety margin of 60% has been applied for electric field (i.e. the permitted EM fields level is 40% of EU directive and ICNIRP guidelines)
- safety margin of 84% has been applied for energy flow density (i.e. the permitted the energy flow density level is only 16% of EU directive and ICNIRP guidelines)
| State |
Occupational exposure* |
General population exposure* |
| ICNIRP |
91,7 V/m |
42,0 V/m |
| European Union |
91,7 V/m |
42,0 V/m |
| Austria |
109,0 V/m |
49,0 V/m |
| Australia |
93,9 V/m |
41,9 V/m |
| France, Ireland, Germany, Spain |
91,7 V/m |
42,0 V/m |
| Croatia |
42,0 V/m |
16,8 V/m |
| Italy |
20 V/m (for a stay of more than 4 hrs 6 V/m) |
| Slovenia |
41,9 V/m |
13,1 V/m |
| Sweden |
60 V/m |
42,0 V/m |
| Switzerland |
42,0 V/m
4,2 V/m |
42,0 V/m
4,2 V/m |
| Great Britain |
91,7 V/m |
42,0 V/m |
*Electric field limitations for the frequency of 936 MHz
Over the last years, recognized professional organizations such as the UN WHO and ICNIRP have on multiple occasions reviewed the current thresholds for mobile communications, on the basis of current scientific knowledge and confirmed that, if these values are respected, the use of mobile technology is safe.
Antennas
An antenna is a device emitting electromagnetic waves; for its operation, additional equipment is required: the base station. Mobile telephony employs directional antennas – they are radiating into a specific direction, while in all other directions, especially downwards, the radiation is negligible. After a couple of meters, such radiation is already far below the permitted level.
The mobile network’s bases stations of Croatian Telecom have been developed, tested and put into operation in line with international standards and requirements. The equipment manufacturers furnish Croatian Telecom with certificates indicating that the base stations meet al safety requirements of the ICNIRP, and that they meet a series of standards regarding product safety, electromagnetic compatibility and general technical regulations. Moreover, all base stations have the certificate of compliance with the Ordinance on special conditions of installation and use of radio stations (OG 45/2012) as issued by by Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency.
Specific elements in setting up antennas in urban areas
In urban areas, many individuals are using mobile phones and their services at the same time, therefore Croatian Telecom, in order to enable the respective quantity of calls and services, must set up several antennas and bases stations at shorter distances. The more antennas and base stations are set up, the less power they use to operate (emitting less electromagnetic radiation) without compromising the quality of service. On the other hand, the radiation of a mobile handset will vary with the coverage of a specific area – the better the coverage of an area, the less electromagnetic radiation of the mobile handset.
Should you have an inquiry about electromagnetic emissions, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at zastita.okolisa@t.ht.hr.