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Protection

To protect the population from health hazards caused by high-frequency electromagnetic fields from fixed transmitters, the 26th Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (26. BImSchV) sets limit values. The BfS recommends supplementing the limit values with precautionary measures to take into account the scientific uncertainties regarding the health effects of these fields. At certain workplaces, significantly higher exposures to high-frequency electromagnetic fields can occur than are usual and permissible for the general population. There are therefore special regulations for occupational health and safety.

Limit values

Since 1997, the Ordinance on electromagnetic fields, (26th BImSchV, amended in August 2013), has been in force in Germany. It was issued for protecting the population against health hazards from electromagnetic fields. The Ordinance and the included limit values are based on the guidelines of the "International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection" (ICNIRP) and on recommendations of the German Commission on Radiological Protection and the EU.

Occupational safety

Although the exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields is relatively low for the general public, there are certain working environments where exposure is high.

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