Immission control; mobile communications

Mobile phone technology is a daily companion for most people in Erlangen, both in their private and professional lives. Hardly anyone wants to do without the advantages of easy communication and fast information availability in their everyday lives. However, due to the upcoming expansion of the 5th generation of mobile communications (5G), concerns are occasionally expressed regarding health aspects.

The expansion of mobile communications is being carried out by the network operators themselves, taking into account the expansion obligations entered into when frequencies were acquired.

Mobile phone base stations are not subject to approval by the City of Erlangen under immission control legislation.

A site certificate from the Federal Network Agency is required for the commissioning of a fixed base station. Among other things, this certificate specifies the safety distance in accordance with the limit values of the 26th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (26th BImSchV). According to the current state of scientific knowledge, no health-relevant effects are to be expected if the limit values are complied with

Mobile radio - locations

The location database of the Federal Network Agency provides information on existing mobile phone base stations.

Mobile radio - recommendations for private use

The correct use of cell phones and WLAN can considerably reduce the impact of electromagnetic fields.

In public areas, your health is protected from the effects of electromagnetic fields, as the approval procedure of the Federal Network Agency ensures that the limit values of the 26th BImSchV are safely complied with. In private areas, various devices such as cell phones or WLAN routers can cause higher values. The following information will help to significantly reduce the effects of electromagnetic fields.

Cell phone

• When buying a cell phone, look for a low SAR value. The SAR value indicates the maximum amount of transmission power the body can absorb when using this device. The current limit is 2 watts per kilogram of body tissue. Modern cell phones achieve significantly lower values.
• Always ensure that the cell phone is optimally connected to the base station. The better the connection, the less power the cell phone has to work with.
• If possible, make calls by the window or outdoors, as the connection to the base station is better here than indoors. This can reduce the cell phone's radiated power by up to 90 %.
• Do not make calls in the cellar/underground garage or in a car without an external aerial.
• Only hold the cell phone to your ear when the connection is established. The cell phone reduces its power to the absolutely necessary level after the connection has been established.
• If possible, use a headset (hands-free kit) or the loudspeaker function. This considerably reduces radiation exposure to the head.

WLAN

• Place the WLAN router as centrally as possible in the home and under the ceiling, this ensures uniformly good reception throughout the house.
• The better the reception, the lower the transmission power of the receiving devices (cell phone, computer, etc.)
• When the WLAN is not needed, the router should be switched off; at night, this can be done using a timer.

Here you will find the assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the health effects of electromagnetic fields and current articles on the state of research in the EMF portal of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

If you have any health-related questions on the subject of mobile radio, you can also contact the Erlangen-Höchstadt Health Department, Nägelsbachstraße 1, 91052 Erlangen, e-mail: gesundheitsamt@erlangen-hoechstadt.de.