Precautionary measures

The limit values for mobile phone base stations and the maximum permissible SAR value for terminals provide protection against the established health effects of high-frequency fields used in mobile communications.

However, there are still uncertainties in the risk assessment ( see "Scientifically discussed biological and health effects of high frequency fields") that could not be resolved completely through scientific research, such as within the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF). They concern, in particular,

• possible health risks for adults as a result of long-term exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields due to mobile phone calls (intensive use of mobile phones over a period of at least 10 years) as well as
• the question whether children might react more sensitively than adults

Appropriate precautionary measures for the supplementation of limit values

Due to these scientific uncertainties, the BfS recommends to reduce individual exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields for precautionary reasons. The resulting recommendations on mobile communications are especially addressed to consumers using mobile and smartphones.

Furthermore, the following has to be ensured:

• extensive neutral and factual information is made available to the citizens
• scientific uncertainties are reduced by targeted and coordinated research.