Radiation is the emission of energy in the form of waves or particles. Depending on the type of energy and the effect it has on matter, it is divided into two major categories: ionizing and non-ionizing. The radiation emitted from cellular antennas and mobile phones is of the radio frequency type, and it is non-ionizing. The electromagnetic waves used to transmit radio and television signals as well as the ones utilized in radar systems belong to the same category.

No. Electromagnetic radiation has nothing to do with radioactivity. Electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and cellular antennas is part of non-ionizing radiation, which does not damage biological cells.

The kind of radiation that could potentially be harmful for human health is ionizing radiation, for example Gamma-rays, X-rays and ultraviolet light.  

The ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) is an independent, internationally reputed scientific committee whose work centers on protecting the public from non-ionizing radiation. As a non-governmental committee officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union, it brings together experts from different countries and disciplines - such as Biology, Epidemiology, Medicine, Physics and Chemistry- who assess the risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields and provide guidance with setting the limits that will guarantee the safety of the general public.

The ICNIRP, after reviewing all published research on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation, concluded that the only effects that could be used as a basis for establishing human exposure limits were those due to the short-term rise in tissue temperature from the absorption of electromagnetic energy by the human body. This review served as the basis for determining the minimum exposure level.

Taking into account that certain population groups may be more vulnerable than others, the ICNIRP proposed the introduction of public exposure limits, opting for a 98% reduction in the minimum exposure level.

In Greece, State has opted to adopt stricter limits (by 30%) than those proposed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), thus creating a supplementary safety coefficient.

When special conditions apply, for example when a nursery/kindergarten, school, hospital or nursing home are situated at a distance of less than 300m from an installed antenna, the Greek State has optionally set 40% stricter limits than the ones proposed by the ICNIRP (Law 4635/2019, replacing 4070/2012).

Greece is one of the EU countries that have set stricter limits than those set out in the relevant EU Council recommendation.

In any event, the criteria for adopting lower exposure limits are the result of political decisions and have not been adopted on the basis of specific scientific data.

The ICNIRP limits have been adopted in most European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Greece, Switzerland, Italy and certain Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria have chosen to adopt stricter limits. Moreover, recently countries with stricter limits like Romania and Poland adopted ICNIRP limits.

The WHO has launched an effort to harmonize exposure limits around the world.

In either case, the criteria for setting lower exposure limits in the countries where these have been applied, including Greece, are the result of political decisions and were not adopted on the basis of specific scientific data.

The Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) is responsible for the protection of the general population from non-ionizing radiation.

Based on aggregate data gathered following ad-hoc measurements by EEAE in urban areas where mobile telephony base stations have been installed, full compliance of the safety exposure limits were recorded. The exposure levels from all sources (radio, television, mobile telephony, wireless internet networks etc.) were found to be from tens to thousands of times below the set safety limits.

According to the new legislation, the EEAE is expected to ensure compliance with the limits of safe exposure to electromagnetic radiation, conducting inspections ex officio or at the request of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) or of any natural or legal person with a legitimate interest.

The EAEE has developed a program of continuous radiation measurements, the National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields (NOEF). The NOEF’s role is to continuously monitor compliance with the established limits of safe exposure to electromagnetic fields via an interconnected system of fixed and mobile measurement stations measuring the values of electromagnetic radiation.

Measurements are also performed by other ISO 17025: 2017-certified bodies, such as the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of the Aegean.

COSMOTE cooperates with all ISO 17025: 2017-certified bodies for the performance of ad hoc EMF measurements.

In addition, with a view to performing reliable and objective measurements, COSMOTE is the owner of a measurement laboratory certified to ISO 17025: 2017 by the National Accreditation System (ESYD).

At the same time, we work together with university institutions in order to carry out continuous, 24-hour measurements. The universities are responsible for the installation of special monitoring systems in the vicinity of base stations, which record electromagnetic field values on a 24-hour basis. The results are accessible to the public on www.pedion24.gr