Electricity and mobile communications: loaned measuring devices provide information on radiation in everyday life

Personal exposure meter in use

Mobile phones, transmitter masts, high-voltage power lines, electrical appliances in the home – in our everyday lives, we encounter many sources of electromagnetic or magnetic fields. You can check your actual level of exposure to these fields for yourself using measuring devices loaned from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). Just over a year after this service was launched, the BfS is now taking stock: over 160 people have already taken advantage of the loaned measuring devices and investigated their exposure to electromagnetic fields in their everyday lives. For all of these people, the measured values remained well below the limit values. So far, the feedback from users has been consistently positive.

"Although limit values protect against the proven effects of electromagnetic and magnetic fields, some people are worried about mobile phone radiation or supposed electrosmog," says BfS President Inge Paulini. "With our measuring equipment hire, we provide concerned or interested individuals with access to factual information: concrete measured values allow us to visualise the radiation present in everyday life and compare it with the suspected radiation exposure."

Individual evaluation of measurement data

Since February 2024, the BfS has been offering special measuring devices for hire. These devices are known as personal exposure meters, and people can choose between two types: one version of the device detects low-frequency magnetic fields, such as those generated by high-voltage power lines and domestic electrical installations. The other version measures high-frequency electromagnetic fields, such as those produced by mobile communications, radio, television and Wi-Fi.

The measuring device is carried in a bag on the body

People carry their chosen device for 24 hours, and the experts at the Competence Centre for Electromagnetic Fields at the BfS then evaluate the measurement data in order to create an individual measurement report for each user. This is intended to provide personal information. The measurement scheme is not suitable for further scientific purposes or for the preparation of expert opinions.

Measurements build trust

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

"Accompanying pre- and post-surveys show that a considerable number of participants overestimate the magnetic and electromagnetic fields in their everyday lives," says Paulini. Apparently, the measurement scheme is perceived as trustworthy and can help to reduce concerns. "We see this as evidence that concerns surrounding mobile communications are often due to a lack of scientific information." Paulini emphasises that there are effective ways of countering this problem: "Measurements can help to build knowledge and trust."

Over 160 measurements have been carried out and analysed since February 2024. In total, there are six measuring devices available for low-frequency magnetic fields and 10 measuring devices for high-frequency electromagnetic fields. The cost for hire and evaluation is €45. Further information on measuring device hire can be found at www.bfs.de/messgeraeteverleih.

Measurements well below limit values

Results of follow-up survey

So far, all measurement results have remained well below the limits set out in the Ordinance on Electromagnetic Fields (26th BImSchV). For both low- and high-frequency electromagnetic fields, the average value amount was less than 1% of the limit value. The highest 24-hour average value was around 1% for low- and around 0.2% for high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Some 85% of participants in a follow-up survey said that the values amounted to less or much less of the limit value than expected.