Majority of Swiss fear electrosmog

Transmitting calls and electrosmog Keystone

A new study released on Friday says a little more than half of the Swiss believe electromagnetic radiation could be harmful to their health.

The survey by the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine at Bern University found that five per cent had already complained of ailments due to electrosmog.

Most of those who said electrosmog affected their health cited various symptoms such as problems sleeping and headaches.

At the top of the list of causes was radiation from high-voltage power lines and mobile phones.

However, the institute warned that there was still no scientific proof of a link between electrosmog and health.

The government announced last month the start of a four-year research programme to investigate possible effects on health and the environment.

The research will focus on the dangers to humans and their surroundings of non-ionising radiation.

Mobile telephones

Of the majority of Swiss who said they were only concerned about the dangers of electrosmog, 36 per cent said they were most worried about mobile telephone transmission masts.

This was followed by high-voltage power lines (33 per cent), mobile telephones (28 per cent), electronic devices (26 per cent) and cordless fixed telephones (18 per cent).

However, the study also found that electrosmog is of less a concern to the population than air pollution and ultra-violet rays.

swissinfo with agencies

Key facts

2,048 people were surveyed.
53% believed electrosmog could be harmful to their health.
A minority (5%) said they suffer symptoms caused by electromagnetic pollution.