Is living near a Mobile Phone Tower Safe?

25 Jan

Written By A Scog

Understanding Mobile Phone Towers: Safety, Risks, and Protection…

Have you ever wondered whether mobile phone towers are safe and if there’s a safe distance your home or office should maintain from them? This article explores what mobile phone towers are, their potential health effects, and how to protect yourself from their electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

What Are Mobile Phone Towers?

Mobile (cell) phone towers are a common sight in cities worldwide, and their numbers continue to grow, often appearing near residential areas, schools, and parks. These towers consist of tall poles or structures fitted with antennas that provide connectivity for calls, data usage, and internet access. The antennas emit millimetre waves 24/7, facilitating constant connectivity for our devices.

Why Should We Be Concerned?

While mobile phone towers are essential for communication, their emissions raise significant health concerns. The waves emitted from these antennas, classified as non-ionising radiation, do not alter atomic structures like ionising radiation but can still cause cellular and molecular damage. Governments worldwide, including Australia, rely on guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) to regulate public exposure levels. However, these guidelines focus on thermal effects, such as tissue heating, and overlook biological effects, such as inflammation and oxidative stress (ICNIRP, 2020).

The "EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016" and the Building Biology Guidelines, developed by scientists and doctors, provide more stringent recommendations based on biological impacts. These guidelines suggest that sensitive individuals experience symptoms at exposure levels between 10–100 microwatts per square metre, far lower than the ICNIRP’s limit of 9,000,000 microwatts per square metre (Belyaev et al., 2016).

Is There a Safe Distance?

Determining a safe distance from mobile phone towers is complex. Homes within 300 metres of a tower often fall within high radiation zones, where residents are more likely to experience health effects. However, the intensity of radiation depends on factors such as the number of antennas, their angles, and nearby structures. Building materials also play a role, as concrete and triple-glazed windows can block more radiation compared to older materials.

Due to these variables, a professional inspection using specialised equipment is essential to assess the safety of your home or workplace. In Australia, Building Biologists are trained to evaluate electromagnetic fields and recommend mitigation strategies.

Health Effects of Exposure to Mobile Phone Tower Radiation

Multiple studies highlight the potential health risks of living near mobile phone towers. For instance, the Bavarian Study (2010) found significantly higher health risks within 400 metres of towers. Common symptoms include:

Sleep disturbances
Depression and anxiety
Skin problems
Cardiovascular issues
Hormonal imbalances
Increased inflammation and free radical production

While individual responses vary based on health history and lifestyle, long-term exposure can have cumulative effects, potentially leading to serious health conditions.

The Impact of 5G

The rollout of 5G networks introduces additional concerns. Unlike earlier generations, 5G supports the Internet of Things (IoT) and requires denser networks of small mobile phone (cell) towers in residential areas. This infrastructure not only increases exposure to millimetre waves but also relies heavily on a densified 4G network, amplifying overall radiation levels (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency [ARPANSA], 2023).

How to Protect Your Home

While we await further research on 5G, there are ways to reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation:

Relocate: If possible, move to a less polluted area with fewer towers.
Shield Your Home: Use EMF shielding materials like specialised paints, films for windows, and shielding canopies.

Hiring a Building Biologist is highly recommended to measure radiation levels and develop a customised shielding plan.

Healthy Home Expert - Final Thoughts…

Mobile phone towers and the expanding 5G network present challenges that require greater awareness and proactive measures. By understanding the risks, incorporating shielding materials, optimising home layouts to minimise exposure, and prioritising low-EMF design principles, we can create safer, healthier living environments for ourselves and our families.

References & Scientific Studies

ARPANSA (2023). Electromagnetic Energy and 5G. Available at: https://www.arpansa.gov.au.

Belyaev, I., Dean, A., Eger, H., et al. (2016). EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses. Reviews on Environmental Health, 31(3), pp. 363-397.

ICNIRP (2020). Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

If you are interested to learn more, check out the below resources.

The health risks associated to EMF have been studied and combined into the BioInitiative 2012 Report.

The BioInitiative 2012 Report has been prepared by 29 authors from ten countries, ten holding medical degrees (MDs), 21 PhDs, and three MsC, MA or MPHs. Among the authors are three former presidents of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, and five full members of BEMS.

Bio Initiative Report

https://bioinitiative.org

If you are interested in watching some videos with information about EMF and health effects, refer to links below: