As wireless network infrastructure expands, cell towers are increasingly sited near homes, schools, and playgrounds—often over strong community objection. Cell towers drop property values, create fire risks, and emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation. Children absorb higher rates of this radiation and are biologically more vulnerable to the RF radiation emitted by cell towers, a fact that has long been acknowledged by medical authorities. Scientific studies, expert recommendations, and international policies increasingly support stronger protections and greater setbacks for cell towers from schools. Yet in the United States, federal safety rules have not been updated since 1996, and communities have little legal authority to stop cell tower construction, even when credible health concerns are raised.
What are the health effects of cell tower radiation? This page brings together scientific evidence, policy responses, legal insights, and real-world community actions to inform the public about cell towers and health. Be sure to check out our fact sheets on the health effects, property value impacts, and liability issues of cell towers here.
Jump Links:
- Scientific Research on Cell Towers and Health
- Expert Recommendations
- International Cell Tower Policies and Limits
- U.S. School Board Policies Restricting Cell Towers Near Schools
- Research Recommending Setbacks To Distance Towers From Schools
- US Regulations Unchanged Since 1996
- Legal, Liability and Insurance
- Cell Towers Challenged, Removed, Relocated, or Rejected
Cell Tower Health Effects: Science and Policy
Cell towers and 5G emit RF radiation
Cell towers, including 4G and 5G cellular antennas, emit radio frequency (RF) radiation, a type of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Although this type of radiation is non-ionizing, this does not ensure safety. Many scientists recommend caution because studies have reported a range of harmful health impacts after prolonged exposure.
Chronic exposure has been associated with increased oxidative stress and DNA damage and cancer risk
Cell tower radiation is an environmental pollutant
Cell tower emissions are now the dominant source of RF exposure in most outdoor areas, making RF radiation a rapidly increasing form of environmental pollution.
When antennas are installed near schools, the environmental levels of RF increase on the property around the tower. A study found that kindergarten children attending schools near cell towers had over three times higher total RF exposure than those attending a school without a close proximity cell tower, as measured by personal RF radiation measurement devices worn throughout the day.
While many countries conduct regular audits of cell tower and RF radiation levels—especially around schools—the U.S. lacks any federal law or compliance policy requiring routine testing or monitoring of cell tower sites to ensure public safety.
Scientific Research on Cell Towers and Health
The American Academy of Pediatrics has repeatedly urged the U.S. government to update its 1996 wireless radiation limits as children are more vulnerable to RF radiation due to their thinner skulls, developing organ systems, and greater absorption rates. The organization of children’s doctors, along with many others, advises parents to reduce children’s exposure.
An Egyptian study confirmed concerns that living nearby mobile phone base stations increased the risk of developing: headaches, memory problems, dizziness, depression, sleep problems.
–The American Academy of Pediatrics on Cell Towers
A growing body of peer-reviewed research documents a range of biological and health effects linking RF to increased cancer risk, cellular stress, genetic damage, hormonal changes, and neurological effects. These studies span epidemiological investigations, clinical observations, laboratory research, and case reports.
Dr. Henry Lai has compiled studies on non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF), including RF radiation since 1990 and found the majority reported significant effects. As of May 2025, his review—posted on Dr. Joel Moskowitz’ SaferEMR site – found:
- 89% of 407 oxidative stress studies since 1997 show harm.
- 72% of 511 genetic studies since 1990 found effects.
- 78% of 480 neurological studies since 2007 found harm.
- 85% of 380 reproductive/developmental studies since 1990 showed impact.
- 242 studies reported harm from low-intensity RF (SAR < 0.40 W/kg).
Scientific studies link cell towers to health harm
There is a large and growing body of evidence that human exposure to RF radiation from cellular phone base stations causes negative health effects including both i) neuropsychiatric complaints such as headache, concentration difficulties, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depressive symptoms, fatigue and sleep disturbance; and ii) increased incidence of cancer and living in proximity to a cell-phone transmitter station.
-J.M. Pearce, Environmental Research 2020
A 2022 review examined existing published peer-reviewed research on people living near cell towers and wireless antenna sites and found the majority of studies reported impacts, primarily radiofrequency sickness, cancer, and altered biochemical markers.
In July 2021, the European Parliament released a commissioned report titled “Health Impact of 5G”, which concluded that widely used RF radiation frequencies (450–6000 MHz) are likely carcinogenic to humans and may harm male fertility and early development stages such as embryos and newborns.
In 2011, RF radiation was classified as a Group 2B “possible carcinogen” by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO/IARC). Since then, peer-reviewed studies on both people and animals have reported increased cancer risks. The 2018 large-scale animal study published in Environmental Research by Falcioni et al. found elevated cancer rates in rats exposed to RF radiation at levels permitted for cell tower emissions.
Scientists involved in the original IARC evaluation have since stated that, based on current evidence, RF radiation would likely be reclassified as a probable or even proven human carcinogen if reassessed today.
More Published Research on Cell Towers and Health
Here are examples of studies focused on cell tower and wireless infrastructure that indicate safety is not assured:
- India: Salio et al. (2025) surveyed residents living within 300 meters of mobile phone base stations and found they reported more health symptoms spanning four health categories: mood-energy, cognitive-sensory, inflammatory, and anatomical issues compared to those living more than 400 meters away.
- Germany: Gulati et al. (2024) found significantly higher rates of chromosomal aberrations—key indicators of genetic damage—in residents living near towers, supporting a biologically plausible link to increased cancer risk.
- Sweden: Hardell and Nilsson (2024) summarized several case reports on microwave syndrome symptoms in people exposed to 5G antennas.
- Brazil: Rodrigues (2021) showed higher cancer mortality, especially lung and breast, near towers.
- Spain: López (2021) linked higher RF to increased headaches, dizziness and decreased sleep.
- Italy: Brizzi and Marinelli (2019) followed a community exposed to radar from 1970 until 1998 in a community iand found increased cancer and heart disease in the exposed residents.
- Saudi Arabia: Meo (2018) linked exposure to delayed motor skills and attention deficits in teens.
- India: Zothansiama (2017) found blood changes predictive of cancer.
- India: Pachuau and Pachuaua (2016) found a strong correlation between higher tower radiation levels and health complaints with significant symptoms appearing above 2.145 mW/m².
- India: Singh et al (2016) found significantly more reported health issues – including sleep disturbances, headaches and concentration difficulties as well as measured reduced salivary secretion – in people living closer to antennas.
- Saudi Arabia: Meo (2015) reported an association between higher exposures and higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
- India: Gandhi et al. (2014) A case-control study found significantly elevated DNA damage in residents living within 300 m of a mobile phone base station, especially among women, with power density and proximity identified as key predictors.
- Spain: Gomez-Perretta et al (2013) re-analysed the data from Navarro et al (2003) and found symptoms like fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and poor concentration were linked to cellular base station exposure, independent of demographics, other EMF sources, or radiation-related anxiety.
- Taiwan: Li et al. (2012) found children living in areas with higher-than-median RF exposure had a significantly increased risk for all neoplasms (abnormal growths), benign and malignant.
- Egypt: Eskander et al. (2012) found long-term cell tower exposure over 6 years was linked to impacts to the endocrine system, including decreased ACTH, cortisol, and thyroid hormones, as well as significant drops in prolactin in females and testosterone in males.
- Brazil: Dode (2011) Cancer mortality was elevated within 500 meters of towers.
- Australia: Khurana (2011) found 8 of 10 reviewed studies showed adverse symptoms within 500m of cell towers and wireless infrastructure.
- Germany: Buchner (2011) found significant hormonal disruptions post-installation.
- Ukraine: Yakymenko (2011) reviewed dozens of studies and reported increased cancer.
- USA: Levitt & Lai (2010) reviewed 100 studies on cell infrastructure and found about 80% showed biological effects.
- Germany: Eger and Neppe (2009) found a statistically significant increase in cancer incidence among residents within a 400-meter radius of a mobile phone base station five years after it became operational.
- Egypt: Abdel-Rassoul et al. (2007) found significantly higher rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., headaches, memory changes, sleep disturbances) and reduced attention and memory performance linked to cell phone base station antennas.
- Israel: Wolf and Wolf (2004) reported increased incidence of cancer associated with living in proximity to a cell phone transmitter station.
- Poland: Bortkiewicz et al., (2004) described increased reports of sleep disturbances, headaches, depression, and circulatory issues among people living near cell towers, with symptoms correlating to proximity and exposure level.
- Germany: Eger et al. (2004) found people living within 400 meters of a cellular transmitter had a significantly higher rate of newly diagnosed cancers and developed cancer on average 8 years earlier than those living farther away.
- France: Santini et al. (2003) surveyed 530 residents and found significantly higher rates of symptoms like nausea, sleep disturbances, and headaches within 300 m of cell towers.
- Spain: Navarro et al (2003) found a significant correlation between reported severity of “microwave sickness” health symptoms and the measured power density of RF radiationfrom a nearby cellular base station.
- Italy: Michelozzi et al., (1998) found significantly increased leukemia mortality, particularly in men, among residents living within 3.5 km of a high-power radio transmitter in Rome, with risk decreasing with distance.
- Latvia: Kolodynski and Kolodynska (1996) examined 609 schoolchildren and found that children residing in areas directly exposed to radar emissions exhibited statistically significant impairments in motor function, memory, attention, and reaction times.
Study Highlight: Cell Tower Radiation Study Finds Cell Tower Exposures Can Be Higher Than Cell Phone Use For Children
While industry representatives often claim that radiation from cell towers is too “low” to cause adverse health effects, research shows that the cumulative exposure from nearby cell towers can exceed the RF radiation exposure children receive from typical cell phone use. A 2023 study published in Environmental Research by Lee and Choi found that continuous 24-hour downlink signals from cell towers produced more than a ten-fold higher cumulative daily energy absorption in the brain compared to a child’s exposure from mobile phone use.
Expert Recommendations
Hundreds of scientific experts caution that cell tower radiation is not safe and that safeguards are needed to protect the public.
New Hampshire State Commission on 5G Health and Environment:
Conducted a year-long investigation into RF radiation and released a final report advising that children’s exposure to RF should be minimized. The report also recommended that cell towers be located at least 1,640 feet away from residences and schools.
Santa Clara County Medical Association:
Best Practices for Schools recommends restricting cell towers at schools because the “growing robust body of peer-reviewed research has shown that this radiofrequency radiation poses significant short and long-term health risks.”
International Association of Firefighters:
The Association has a formal position statement against cell towers and cellular antennas on fire stations to protect the health of firefighters.
The IAFF oppose the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted, and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.
– International Association of Firefighters Position Statement Cell Tower Health Effects
California Firefighter Unions:
Firefighter unions in California have consistently and successfully advocated for the exclusion of fire stations from expedited 5G cell tower deployment. In 2015, their efforts led to an exemption in AB57 (2015), which states that wireless facility siting rules do not apply to projects proposed on fire department property. They also secured an exemption in SB649 (2017), a bill aimed at streamlining small cell deployment, which then explicitly prohibited small cell installations on fire department facilities. Firefighters also testified in person before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, sent letters, created TV and radio advertisements, and websites about the health risks. News coverage documented how construction was halted due to the issues they raised regarding radiation and health.
EPA Guidelines:
The EPA’s School Siting Guidelines identify electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and the potential fall radius of cell towers as possible hazards. EPA guidelines recommend schools “identify and evaluate cell towers within ~200 feet of prospective school locations.” The EPA has long acknowledged that the FCC limits for RF radiation—unchanged since 1996—do not account for potential health risks from long-term, low-level (non-thermal) exposure.
The exposure guidelines did not consider information that addresses nonthermal, prolonged exposures, i.e., from research showing effects with implications for possible adversity in situations involving chronic/prolonged, low-level (nonthermal) exposures.
–Letter from Norbert Hankin, EPA Office of Radiation.
Legal Handbook for Massachusetts’ Board of Health (3rd Edition):
Includes a chapter on cell tower radiation, noting growing public concern about electromagnetic fields near densely populated areas. It warns that the widespread presence of towers should not be mistaken as evidence of safety and stresses that health risks remain uncertain.
The handbook cites international studies showing significantly increased cancer risks near cell towers, including a German study reporting over three times higher cancer and breast cancer rates within 400 meters, an Israeli study showing a tenfold increase in cancer risk for women within 350 meters, and an Austrian study linking high RF exposure to a 23-fold higher breast cancer risk and a 121-fold higher brain tumor risk.
A Human Rights Issue
A study by human rights experts (Roda and Perry 2024), “Mobile phone infrastructure regulation in Europe: Scientific challenges and human rights protection, ” published in Environmental Science and Policy, highlights growing scientific evidence that safety around mobile phone infrastructure is not assured. The authors frame the issue as a human rights concern, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable populations from environmental pollution. They conclude that, given the incomplete state of scientific knowledge, a precautionary approach is more aligned with states’ obligations under international human rights law.
International Cell Tower Policies and Limits
The United States cell tower radiation limits are unchanged and without proper scientific review since 1996. The country allows higher levels of cell tower radiation in the environment than several other countries. Many nations—including Italy, Switzerland, China, and Russia—have adopted far stricter regulations, with limits at 10 to 100 times lower than the U.S., recognizing the need for prevention and the potential for harmful effects, especially after long-term exposure. As a result, cell towers commonly permitted in the U.S. would violate regulations in these countries. These countries often require greater setbacks from homes, schools, and playgrounds to better protect public health, particularly for children.
- References: Worldwide Limits for Cell Tower Radiation
The U.S. is among the countries that allow for the highest levels of cell tower radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the environment. This graph shows the selected countries regulations regarding public exposure limits for 1800 MHz W/m2 equivalent plane wave density RF radiation, applicable to schools and/or homes. The U.S. has no specific safeguards for children.
Country: United States of America
Authority: US Federal Communications Commission
Exposure Limit on Graph: 10 W/m2 for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Unlike other countries, the US does not have any limits applicable to sensitive areas such as schools, daycares, or residential areas. US limits were set in 1996 and have not changed since that date.
Source: U.S. FCC Limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE): 47 CFR 1.1310, Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits. National Archives (2025).
See also: International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF), (2022). Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G. Environ Health. Oct 18;21(1):92.
ICNIRP
ICNIRP is an invite-only private group of under 13 people accountable to no one. ICNIRP has been widely criticized for longstanding conflicts of interest, as many of its members over the years have professional ties to the telecommunications industry. Independent scientists, including those of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF), have documented that these conflicts contribute to ICNIRP’s persistent dismissal of non-thermal biological effects and its reliance on outdated 1980s-era research, resulting in exposure limits food wireless and non-ionizing EMF that do not reflect the scientific evidence on cell tower, cell phone and EMF risk.
ICNIRP Exposure Limit on Graph: 9 W/m2 for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). (2020).
Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz).
Health Physics, 118(5), 483–524.
Scientific References on ICNIRPs Conflicts of Interest
Vanheste T, Lambert E. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing 2783 Radiation Protection: Conflicts of Interest, Corporate Capture and the Push for 5G. (2020). Available online at: https://klaus- buchner.eu/wp- content/uploads/2020/06/ 2786 ICNIRP- report- FINAL- JUNE- 2020- 2.pdf
Lin JC (2025) Health and safety practices and policies concerning human exposure to RF/microwave radiation. Front. Public Health 13:1619781. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1619781
Nordhagen, Else K. and Flydal, Einar. (2022). Self-referencing authorships behind the ICNIRP 2020 radiation protection guidelines. Reviews on Environmental Health.
Ben Ishai, P., Davis, D., Taylor, H., & Birnbaum, L. (2022). Problems in evaluating the health impacts of radio frequency radiation. Environmental research, 115038. Advance online publication.
International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF), (2022). Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G. Environ Health. Oct 18;21(1):92.
Hardell, L., Nilsson, M., Koppel, T., & Carlberg, M. (2021). Aspects on the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2020 Guidelines on Radiofrequency Radiation. Journal of Cancer Science and Clinical Therapeutics, 5(2), 250–285.
Pascual GD. Not Entirely Reliable: Private Scientific Organizations and Risk Regulation – The Case of Electromagnetic Fields. European Journal of Risk Regulation. 2013;4(1):29-42. doi:10.1017/S1867299X00002774
Weller S, McCredden JE. Understanding the public voices and researchers speaking into the 5G narrative. Front Public Health. 2024 Jan 12;11:1339513. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1339513/full
Greece
Authority: Hellenic Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE)
Exposure Limit on Graph: for 5.4 W/m2 for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Greece has two sets of restrictions, one of which is specifically aimed at areas where children are cared for or schools. The exposure limit presented here is for cellular antennas closer than 300 m to sensitive locations (schools, kindergartens, hospitals, care homes): 2.7 W/m2 at 900 MHz and 5.4 W/m2 at 1800 MHz; 6 W/m2 at 2100 MHz. For areas further than 300 m, the limit is 3.1 W/m2 at 900 MHz; 6.3 W/m2 at 1800 MHz; and 7 W/m2 at 2100 MHz. In addition to this more stringent RF exposure limit for areas within 300 meters of children’s school/care areas and hospitals, Greece also prohibits cell towers on schools, day cares, and hospitals.
The Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) (Law 4635/2019, Article 35, paragraph 4) annually audits at least 20% of urban area base stations for compliance. Supplementary audits are carried out following requests by the national telecom regulator EETT or others.
The country maintains the National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields, an interactive web portal linked to a network of over 500 fixed measurement stations throughout Greece that continuously monitor the EMF levels from all kinds of antenna stations in the frequency range 100 kHz – 7 GHz. The Observatory’s online map allows the public to easily access average and peak electric field strength measurements for any of the sensor locations.
Sources:
The National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields of Greece https://paratiritirioemf.eeae.gr/en/
Rianne Stam, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands
Hellenic Republic. (2000, September 6). Measures to protect the public from operation of antennas installed on land [Presidential Decree/Ministerial Decision]. Government Gazette of the Hellenic Republic, Series B, No. 1105, pp. 15829–15838. https://www.eett.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FEK1105B2000.pdf
Canada
Authority: Health Canada
Exposure Limit on Graph: 4.4 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Toronto, Canada has a “Prudent Avoidance Policy” which recommends keeping RF exposures at least 100 times below Health Canada’s guidelines.
Sources: Safety Code 6 Health Canada. (2019, August 13). Limits of human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy in the frequency range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz (Safety Code 6). Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/health-risks-safety/limits-human-exposure-radiofrequency-electromagnetic-energy-range-3-300.html
Country: Croatia
Authority: Ministry of Health
Exposure Limit on Graph: 1.4 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 equivalent plane wave density.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for implementing measures for protection from non-ionizing radiation in accordance with the Act on Protection from Non-Ionizing Radiation (“Official Gazette”, No. 91/10) and the Regulation on Protection from Electromagnetic Fields (“Official Gazette”, No. 146/14 and 31/19). The owner of the source of electromagnetic fields is obliged, every two years, to arrange for a new measurement of electromagnetic field levels and to submit the results to the Ministry of Health
Source:
HAKOM (Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries)
https://www.hakom.hr/hr/regulativa/386
Comparison of international policies on electromagnetic fields (power frequency and radiofrequency fields by Stam. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands (2018).
World Health Organization RF Limits (2017)
India
Authority: Department of Telecommunications
Exposure Limit on Graph: 5 for 5G facilities and .9 W/m² for 4G 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
In 2012, India had significantly strengthened its norms to 1/10 of ICNIRP limits after its review of exposure impacts. A report from an Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the India Ministry of Environment and Forests which reviewed the research on impacts to birds, bees, plants, humans, and other wildlife concluded that while there were significant research gaps, the “vast majority of published literature indicate deleterious effects of EMFs in various species.”
In 2024, the Indian government relaxed its norms for 5G networks, increasing the power density limit for 5G base stations from 1 watt per square meter to 5 watts. So the value on this graph shows both 4G and 5G facilities.
Sources:
Government of India, Ministry of Communications. (2012, August 31). Stringent mobile radiation standards come into force from tomorrow [Press release]. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved from https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=87152
Rathee, K. (2025, January 2). In relief to telcos, 5G radiation rules eased. The Economic Times. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/in-relief-to-telcos-5g-radiation-rules-eased/articleshow/116892570.cms
Israel
Authority: Ministry of Environmental Protection
Exposure Limit on Graph: .9 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Israel has two limits: 30% of ICNIRP limits for areas where the exposure is not continuous and prolonged, and 10% of ICNIRP limits for areas where the exposure is continuous and prolonged (4 hours a day for five days a week) such as residential buildings, offices, and educational institutions.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection operates a RF radiation monitoring system. The system consists of 17 permanent monitoring stations deployed throughout the country near cellular broadcasting stations, radio, and television broadcasting stations. Some were also deployed in areas far away from broadcasting facilities.
Sources: Ministry of Environmental Protection, Israel. (n.d.). Non-ionizing radiation. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.gov.il/en/pages/non_ionizing_radiation
Slovenia
Exposure Limit on Graph: .9 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 equivalent plane wave density.
Slovenia has a limit for new or modified installations in sensitive areas (like homes, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, playgrounds, public buildings, and parks) set at 1/10 of ICNIRP’s recommended limits.
Source:
INIS FORUM EMS post titled “Stanje v Sloveniji”, published on 12 September 2023, includes the RF exposure limits table https://forum-ems.si/2023/09/12/stanje-v-sloveniji/
Italy
Exposure Limit on Graph: .6 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Italy’s limits presented in this graph apply to places of “sensitive use” such as apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, permanent workplaces, children’s playgrounds, and places where people stay for hours. Italy recently loosened its strict limits, while remaining far more stringent than FCC and ICNIRP. In 2024, Italy increased the value, which was 6 V/m before the deployment of 5G, to 15 V/m. Additionally, this is based on a 24-hour average, which thus allows significantly higher levels during the busiest hours of the day.
Sources:
Italy, LEGISLATIVE DECREE 24 March 2024, n. 48
Brussels, Belgium
Note: Belgium is divided into 3 Regions (Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders). Each has their own authority regarding RF limits for their region.
Brussels RF Limits
- 1800 MHz Inside: 0.449 W/m2 same as 13.0 V/m
- 1800 MHz Outside: 1.127 W/m2 same as 20.6 V/m
- 900 MHz, Inside 0.2243 W/m2 same as 9.19 V/m
- 900 MHz outside 0.5635 W/m2 same as 14.57 V/m
Source
Leefmilieu Brussel. (2024, December 4). Wat zijn de wettelijke normen voor blootstelling aan elektromagnetische golven? [What are the legal standards for exposure to electromagnetic waves?”]
The limits were confirmed to Theodora Scarato in an email exchange with Bruxelles Environnement permit-emf@environnement.brussels dated September 1, 2025
China
Authority: Ministry of Ecology and Environment leads the creation of environmental health standards and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ensures that telecom networks and operators comply with MEE’s exposure limits.
Exposure Limit on Graph: 0.4 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 equivalent plane wave density.
China has RF power density limits lower than ICNIRP and FCC limits. They are considered science-based as there is a strong research program in the country, and these more stringent restrictions apply to sensitive areas, such as schools, hospitals, or rooms in buildings that are regularly occupied by persons for prolonged periods. The standard also encourages facility and equipment owners to take effective measures to reduce public exposure.
Sources:
Human radio frequency exposure limits: An update of reference levels in Europe, USA, Canada, China, Japan and Korea by Madjar. International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (2016).
Chiang, H. (2025). Rationale for setting EMF exposure standards (General public exposure limits to RF radiation in China). https://ehsciences.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Rationale-for-Setting-EMF-Exposure-Standards-China-.pdf
Russia
Authority: Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing
Exposure Limit on Graph: .1 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 equivalent plane wave density.
In Russia there is a state federal sanitary service (Rospotrebnadzor), which has branches to monitor compliance with electromagnetic field limits throughout the country. General conditions for protection of the population are set in a 1999 framework law. Limits apply to the total RF field from all sources in the environment, averaged over any 24-hour period. Limits for specific frequency ranges are set in subsequent ‘Hygienic-epidemiological requirements’.
The Russian National Committee on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection was established under the Russian Federation in 1997 and has extensive scientific publications. It serves as an national advisory body on issues related to non-ionizing radiation (NIR), including radiofrequency (RF), microwave, extremely low frequency (ELF), laser, and ultraviolet radiation. In 2008 it announced in “Children and Mobile Phones: The Health of the Following Generations is in Danger” that “for the first time in history, we face a situation when most children and teenagers in the world are continuously exposed to the potentially adverse influence of EMFs from mobile phones.” In 2019, the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection called for hazard warning signs on cell phones and other wireless devices.
Sources:
Electromagnetic radiation safety: Russian national and international regulatory frameworks for radiofrequency electromagnetic fields by Grigoriev et al. Public Health and Life Environment (2020).
Rianne Stam, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands
Repacholi M, Grigoriev Y, Buschmann J, Pioli C. Scientific basis for the Soviet and Russian radiofrequency standards for the general public. Bioelectromagnetics. 2012 Dec;33(8):623-33. doi: 10.1002/bem.21742. Epub 2012 Jul 2. PMID: 22753071.
SanPiN 2.1.8/2.2.4.1190-03 “Electromagnetic fields (EMF) of radio frequencies (300 MHz–300 GHz)” (Russian Federation), § 3.3 — specifies the maximum permissible power density (ППЭ) for public exposure as 10 µW/cm² (i.e. 0.1 W/m²). Ekosf.ru hosts the text at https://ekosf.ru/normativnye-dokumenty/em-polya/sanpin-2-1-8-2-2-4-1190-03/
http://www.tesla.ru/news1: The unified platform of the Russian National Committee on Non‑Ionizing Radiation Protection (RNCNIRP), the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Radiobiology Scientific Council, and the Scientific Radiobiological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences
http://emf-net.ru/: Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
Bulgaria
Authority: Ministry of Health
Exposure Limit on Graph: .1 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Source:
Ordinance No 9, issued 14 March 1991 by the Ministry of Health
Promulgated in the Official Gazette No. 35 of 3 May 1991 , amended in the Official Gazette No. 38 of 14 May 1991 , amended in the Official Gazette No. 8 of 22 January 2002. https://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/-551794688
Switzerland
Authority: Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Exposure Limit on Graph: .1 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Since 2000, Switzerland has enforced the Non-Ionizing Radiation Ordinance (NISV) under the Environmental Protection Act, which enforces stricter precautionary limits for “sensitive areas” like homes, schools, hospitals, and offices. The Swiss Federal Council refused to loosen their strict radiation limits for 5G. Locations of transmitters can be found on this map.
Sources:
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). (2025, April 3). Electrosmog: In brief. Retrieved from https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home/topics/electrosmog/in-brief.html
Comparison of international policies on electromagnetic fields (power frequency and radiofrequency fields by Stam. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, the Netherlands (2018).
Chile
Authority: The Telecommunication Subsecretariat (SUBTEL) under Chile’s Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.
Exposure Limit on Graph: .058 W/m² for 1800 MHz equivalent plane wave density.
Chile has a general limit of 0.1 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 applying to “any publicly accessible location without physical barriers”and a more stringent limit of .058 W/m² for 1800 W/m2 for sensitive areas like hospitals, elderly care homes, daycare centers, schools. However if 5G is deployed below 2.7 GHz (e.g., n3 at 1800 MHz), the cap is at the general limit as stated in the decree.
On June 11, 2012, Law No. 20.599 (known as the “Antenna Law”) passed, regulating the installation of telecommunications antennas and their towers. It prohibits the installation of cellular sites near “public or private schools, nurseries, kindergartens, hospitals, clinics, urban premises with high voltage towers, nursing homes, or other sensitive areas of protections so defined.”
The Minster stated, “for frequency bands between 9 kHz – 2700 MHz (technologies from 1G to 4G), the limit in general areas is 10 μW/cm² and 5.8 μW/cm² for sensitive/protected areas. For frequency bands between 2700 MHz – 300 GHz (5G technology), the limit is 400 μW/cm² for general access areas and 100 μW/cm² for sensitive areas. Additionally, if fifth-generation or higher technologies are located below 2700 MHz, their limit will be 100 μW/cm².”
The Regional Secretary of the Environment of the Republic of Chile, Sonia Reyes , stated that ” the new standards established by this regulation are among the most demanding in the world, which will allow for high-quality connectivity services, with no impact on current services. By considering electromagnetic radiation emissions as a potential pollutant, as a State we are ensuring the health and quality of life of the population and also the protection of nature.”
Source:
Ley Chile — Decreto Supremo Nº 5”, dated 11 January 2024, as published on the Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional (BCN) website
https://www.bcn.cl/leychile/navegar?idNorma=1210845&idVersion=2025-07-06
Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (Chile). (2025, February 6). Publican norma de emisión radiación electromagnética de servicios de telecomunicaciones. Aire Región Metropolitana. https://airerm.mma.gob.cl/publican-norma-de-emision-radiacion-electromagnetica-de-servicios-de-telecomunicaciones/
Law 20599 – REGULATES THE INSTALLATION OF BROADCASTING AND TRANSMITTING ANTENNAS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
https://vlex.cl/vid/antenas-emisoras-transmisoras-servicios-379211182
Turkey: Cell antennas must be distanced from schools and playgrounds and not placed on the same floors as preschools or primary schools in multi-story buildings. RF levels are continuously monitored near schools and hospitals.
Greece: Towers are prohibited on school grounds, with stricter RF limits within 300 meters of schools, hospitals, and elderly care homes.
France: RF levels must be minimized within 100 meters of schools, daycare centers, and healthcare facilities.
Bangladesh: Cell towers are banned on residential buildings, schools, colleges, playgrounds, high-density areas, and heritage sites.
Israel: Requires at least a 100-meter setback between towers and schools or homes.
Chile: Prohibits cell antennas in “sensitive areas” like kindergartens, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Queensland, Australia: New towers are not allowed on school property, must be 200 meters away, and emissions are capped at 1% of federal limits.
New Zealand: Bans towers on school property and enforces a 50-meter setback.
Canada: Toronto recommends exposures be 100 times lower than federal limits under a “Prudent Avoidance Policy.” The Vancouver School Board passed a resolution prohibiting the construction of towers within 1,000 feet (approx. 305 meters) of any school property.
Russia: Cell tower antennas and base stations are no longer allowed to be built near schools, and a national plan is underway to relocate existing installations away from educational institutions.
U.S. Policies Restricting Cell Towers Near Schools
The U.S. lacks federal regulations governing the placement of cell towers near homes, hospitals, and schools. However, some state and local communities have taken steps to address the issue.
School districts that have banned new towers:
Los Angeles Unified (CA): Passed three resolutions banning towers, including one that set a “cautionary level” for radiofrequency radiation at 10,000 times lower than US federal limits for public exposure.
Palo Alto Unified (CA): Passed a 1,500-foot setback.
Temecula Valley Unified (CA): Passed resolution and policy prohibiting new towers and lease renewals as well as ensuring regular RF radiation measurements of existing towers.
Portland Public Schools (OR): stopped considering new leases for cell towers.
Montgomery County (MD): Stopped towers at elementary schools.
West Linn-Wilsonville School District (OR): Prohibits towers on school property and opposes proposals for towers near schools. Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD): Did not renew cell tower leasing agreement. The Greenbelt City Council also supported the opposition to towers at schools
Loudoun County School Board (VA.): Prohibited new towers for 5 years.
City, town and county ordinances with cell tower school setbacks
Williamson County, TN: 1,500 ft schools
Copake, NY: 1,500 ft homes/schools
Sallisaw, OK: 1,500 ft homes
Walnut Creek, CA: 1,500 ft schools
Calabasas, CA: 1,000 ft homes/schools
Scarsdale, NY: 500 ft homes/schools
San Diego County, CA: 300 ft schools
Bedford, NH: 750 ft residential
Bar Harbor, ME: 1,500 ft schools
Shelburne, MA: 3,000 ft schools, 1,500 ft homes
“In promoting the health and safety of students and staff and in compliance with its duty to provide an environment free from life hazards, new wireless telecommunication transmitter installments are prohibited on all school premises…the District shall not extend or renew such leases.”
-Temecula Valley Unified Policy
Schools with nearby cell towers are shielding classrooms
The Desert Sage Public High School in Tucson, AZ installed shielding to protect students in classrooms from a nearby cell tower and has removed indoor boosters, restricted cell phone use, and taken other measures to reduce students’ and staff’s exposure to wireless RF radiation citing health concerns such as cancer risks, cognitive effects, and behavioral issues.
Research Recommending Setbacks to Distance Towers from Schools
Multiple peer-reviewed research articles recommend keeping cell towers at least 500 meters (approximately 1,500 feet) away from populated areas to reduce health risks, including:
- Pearce (2024) in Environmental Research advises base stations be placed no closer than 500 meters to minimize public RF exposure and decrease liability.
- Rodrigues et al. (2021) in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health recommends deactivating towers within 500 meters of homes, workplaces, hospitals, and schools.
- Dode et al. (2011) in Science of the Total Environment found increased tumor-related deaths within 500 meters of base stations in Brazil, and stated “More restrictive limits must be adopted urgently.”
- Levitt & Lai (2010) in Environmental Reviews stated “ As a general guideline, cell basestations should not be located less than 1,500 from the population, and at a height of about 150 ft.”
- Khurana et al. (2010) in the International Journal of Occupational Environmental Health found that 8 out of 10 epidemiological studies reported higher rates of cancer or neurobehavioral symptoms within 500 meters of cell base stations.
US Regulations Unchanged Since 1996
Long-term exposure risks are ignored by U.S. standards
Current FCC radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits, unchanged since 1996, are based solely on protecting against short-term overheating effects and simply were not designed to protect against effects of long-term, low-level full body exposure from cell towers. These outdated guidelines were determined based on studies of just 8 rats and 5 monkeys conducted half a century ago. They were heated with microwaves for under an hour and the level of harm was determined by the increase in temperature in their bodies measured when they stopped pressing a lever for food.
Even as far back as 2000, the Ecolog Institute Report commissioned by T-Mobile recommended an exposure limit 1,000 times lower than the FCC’s current power density limit.
This should be rigorously adhered to by all base stations near sensitive places such as residential areas, schools, nurseries, playgrounds, hospitals and all other places at which humans are present for longer than 4 hours.
In 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the FCC’s refusal to update its 1996 wireless radiation limits “arbitrary and capricious,” citing failure to address record evidence on long-term exposure (such as that from cell towers), children’s vulnerability, and non-cancer effects like memory and reproductive harm—yet the FCC has still not responded to the Court’s mandate.
No safety testing for cell tower radiation
No federal agency is actively researching or monitoring the health effects of cell tower radiation. There is no health surveillance system as we have for pharmaceuticals to report health impacts.
A 2025 policy review paper by Theodora Scarato, Director of the Wireless and EMF program at EHS, details how agencies typically responsible for public health—like the EPA, OSHA, and NIOSH—have no research activities in this area, leaving significant regulatory gaps in protecting the public.
While the FDA is often put forward as assuring cell tower safety, the agency has never reviewed cell tower or 5g radiation health effects. The FDA has confirmed this regulatory void, stating, “We don’t have jurisdiction over cellphone towers since those are environmental emitters,” highlighting a major regulatory gap that leaves the public unprotected from cell tower radiation.
Further, the United States also operates largely on an honor system when it comes to cell tower radiation compliance. There is no requirement for real-time or post-installation compliance testing of wireless infrastructure. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that one in ten cell sites emit levels of RF radiation that exceeded even the lenient FCC radiation limits. Worker injuries related to lax enforcement of antennas on buildings have prompted the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to write to the FCC that “ensuring compliance with existing FCC RF human exposure limits by the FCC licensee is not effective and cannot/is not being enforced…. When there is a hazard, the hazard creator has a duty to warn others against the hazard.”
Legal, Liability and Insurance
Insurance industry flags cell tower radiation 5G as high risk
The Swiss Re Institute, a leading authority in reinsurance, has categorized 5G as an “off-the-leash” risk—a designation for unpredictable threats with potentially widespread impact.
“Existing concerns regarding potential negative health effects from electromagnetic fields (EMF) are only likely to increase. An uptick in liability claims could be a potential long-term consequence.”
“As the biological effects of EMF in general and 5G in particular are still being debated, potential claims for health impairments may come with a long latency.”
Insurance authorities have stated the situation mirrors the early stages of the asbestos crisis. Though the science was once uncertain, the health consequences eventually became undeniable—and costly. Experts warn that EMF exposure could follow a similar trajectory.
“Some research has shown biological effects from lower-level “non thermal” exposure and people exposed at lower levels have reported headaches, dizziness, nausea, mood disorders, mental slowing and memory loss.”
“The danger with EMF is that, like asbestos, the exposure insurers face is underestimated and could grow exponentially and be with us for many years.”
A 2017 Vodafone Investors Annual Report ranks the EMF health risk issue as a
“Principal Risk” having a “high” impact.
Exclusion of cell tower radiation damages from insurance coverage
Due to the financial risk, most insurance policies exclude coverage for damages related to non-ionizing EMF, including RF radiation emitted from cell towers. In turn, U.S. wireless carriers have been unsuccessful in securing insurance coverage themselves for potential liabilities for well over a decade.
Genesis Insurance, a major provider of liability coverage for educational institutions, excludes coverage for harm caused by electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation, including RF radiation from cell towers and wireless devices. Its policy language for for K–12 schools, universities, school boards, and public entities explicitly states their insurance does not apply for:
“Bodily injury, personal injury, advertising injury, or property damage arising directly or indirectly out of, resulting from, caused or contributed to by electromagnetic radiation, provided that such loss, cost or expense results from or is contributed to by the hazardous properties of electromagnetic radiation. This includes any costs for the actual or threatened abatement, mitigation, or removal.”
-Genesis Insurance liability coverage for educational Institutions
“The potential connection between radio frequency emissions and certain negative health effects, including some forms of cancer, has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. We cannot guarantee that claims relating to radio frequency emissions will not arise in the future or that the results of such studies will not be adverse to us. .. If a connection between radio frequency emissions and possible negative health effects were established, our operations, costs, or revenues may be materially and adversely affected. We currently do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.”
– Crown Castle Annual Report 2024
Even the wireless industry itself classifies RF radiation as a form of “pollution“. For instance, Verizon’s Total Mobile Protection Plan defines pollutants to include:
“…any solid, liquid, gaseous, or thermal irritant or contaminant including… artificially produced electric fields, magnetic field, electromagnetic field… and all artificially produced ionizing or nonionizing radiation…”
Similar language appears in cell phone consumer protection plans from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Investors are warned—but not the families
While telecom companies warn investors of potential financial fallout, they do not inform the public or those living near towers about the health risks. These disclosures are found in SEC filings like annual reports.
“Our wireless business is also subject to lawsuits relating to alleged adverse health effects of wireless phones and radio frequency transmitters. Any of these allegations or changes in government agencies’ assessment of the risks associated with using wireless devices could result in significant legal and regulatory liability and other remedies, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.”
“The FCC has from time to time gathered data regarding wireless device emissions, and its assessment of the risks associated with using wireless devices may evolve based on its findings. Any of these allegations or changes in risk assessments could result in customers purchasing fewer devices and wireless services, could result in significant legal and regulatory liability, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, cash flows and operating results.”
We also face current and potential litigation relating to alleged adverse health effects on customers or employees who use such technologies including, for example, wireless devices. We may incur significant expenses defending such suits or government charges and may be required to pay amounts or otherwise change our operations in ways that could materially adversely affect our operations or financial results.
In short, while insurers and telecom companies recognize the long-term risks of RF radiation and take steps to protect themselves financially, the public—especially those near towers and schools—is left without similar warnings or protections.
Cell Towers Challenged, Removed, Relocated, or Rejected
Across the country and around the world, communities are taking action to push back against cell towers placed too close to where people live, work, and learn—here are just a few examples of communities calling for more responsible placement.
“The Health Board has been presented with credible, independent, and peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies and reports that provide convincing evidence that pulsed and modulated RFR is bio-active and affects all living things over the long term.”
-Pittsfield Massachusetts Board of Health Cell Tower Emergency Order
Pittsfield, MA: Seventeen residents living near a cell tower reported severe symptoms when the tower began transmitting including headaches, sleep issues, and neurological issues. The Board of Health investigated and issued an Emergency order which was later rescinded amidst a complex legal case that is still ongoing.
Toronto, Canada: In 2024, the Toronto District School Board launched a third-party review after 18 teachers at a North York high school refused to work due to health concerns over radiation from the nearby cell phone tower, prompting experts to write the Ontario Minister of Education advocating for stronger school policies to mitigate exposure.
Wyandotte, MI: Parents’ protests over a cell tower at Washington Elementary led Michigan State Rep. James DeSana to introduce a bill to distance towers from schools statewide and prompted U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar (Michigan’s 13th congressional district) to request that the FCC update its safety limits and ban cell towers on school grounds.
Flower Hill, NY: A federal judge upheld the denial of 18 Verizon-linked small cell antennas, ruling the village acted within its rights and that under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, local governments must only ensure basic wireless voice service. Enhanced data speeds aren’t legally required.
Cell towers have been removed, relocated, or rejected
Ripon, CA: After a tower was erected near an elementary school, four students developed cancer and three teachers were diagnosed with breast cancer. The tower was later removed.
Haines, AK: The School Board voted unanimously to send a letter to AT&T opposing the construction of a proposed 125-foot 5G cell tower, citing concerns over the tower’s height, potential health impacts, and lights.
Pasco County, FL: Parent opposition to a planned Vertex cell tower at Starkey Ranch K-8 School led officials to relocate it to a nearby park maintenance yard, moving it over 2,300 feet from the school.
Tarrytown, NY: A cell tower near a public housing complex and playground was removed following strong community protest and media coverage.
Dewey Beach, DE: Residents formed the Save Dewey Beach Foundation and filed a lawsuit, prompting Verizon to relocate planned beachfront towers.
Annapolis, MD: A proposal to install a 75-foot telecom tower on the St. John’s College campus was rejected.
Marshall, VA: The School Board committee turned down a proposed tower at Claude Thompson Elementary School.
Long Beach, CA: A couple halted a 5G tower in front of their home after a protracted legal fight. In a critical ruling, the hearing examiner noted “reliable, credible evidence that the FCC regulations as to what are safe RF emission standards are outmoded and inadequate to safeguard the public…”
Tupelo, MS: The City Council rejected a proposed Verizon cell tower in west Tupelo, and the order noted the city’s stance that FCC limits should be updated, stating, “the 1996 RF wireless radiation rules and safety limits deserve a reassessment.”
Bears Ears, UT: A proposal to build a telecom tower taller than Utah’s tallest building within Bears Ears National Monument was withdrawn following strong public outcry, environmental concerns, and criticism over lack of tribal consultation.
Montgomery County, MD: A cell tower at Woodward High School was removed after the school board, amidst heavy tower opposition, declined to authorize its reconstruction during the school renovation project.