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Hardell L et al, (October 2016) Radiofrequency radiation at Stockholm Central Railway Station in Sweden and some medical aspects on public exposure to RF fields., Int J Oncol. 2016 Oct;49(4):1315-1324. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3657

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Authors not listed · 2016

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Stockholm's main train station showed RF radiation levels consistently above health safety guidelines, with some areas too high to measure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels throughout Stockholm's Central Railway Station using specialized equipment that detected 20 different frequency bands. They found radiation levels that were consistently above precautionary health guidelines, with some hotspots near base stations exceeding the equipment's measurement limits. Almost all measured levels surpassed the safety targets recommended by independent health experts.

Why This Matters

This study reveals what many commuters experience daily without realizing it. Stockholm Central Railway Station represents a perfect storm of RF exposure - multiple wireless technologies operating simultaneously in an enclosed space with metal surfaces that can amplify signals. The reality is that modern transit hubs have become unintentional RF exposure chambers, with levels consistently exceeding what independent scientists consider safe for chronic exposure. What makes this particularly concerning is that while most people pass through quickly, station workers and frequent commuters face these elevated levels repeatedly. The researchers found hotspots exceeding their equipment's detection limits - a clear indication that some areas pose significant exposure risks that warrant immediate attention from public health authorities.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 88-5850 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 88-5850 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2016). Hardell L et al, (October 2016) Radiofrequency radiation at Stockholm Central Railway Station in Sweden and some medical aspects on public exposure to RF fields., Int J Oncol. 2016 Oct;49(4):1315-1324. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3657.
Show BibTeX
@article{hardell_l_et_al_october_2016_radiofrequency_radiation_at_stockholm_central_railway_station_in_sweden_and_some_medical_aspects_on_public_exposure_to_rf_fields_int_j_oncol_2016_oct4941315_1324_doi_10389_ce1122,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Hardell L et al, (October 2016) Radiofrequency radiation at Stockholm Central Railway Station in Sweden and some medical aspects on public exposure to RF fields., Int J Oncol. 2016 Oct;49(4):1315-1324. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3657},
  year = {2016},
  doi = {10.3892/ijo.2016.3657},
  
}
DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3657PubMed: 27633090

Quick Questions About This Study

The median total exposure was 921 μW/m², with mean levels ranging from 2,817 to 4,891 μW/m² across different walking routes. Some hotspots near base stations exceeded 95,544 μW/m², surpassing the equipment's detection limit.
Almost all measured levels exceeded the precautionary target of 3-6 μW/m² recommended by the BioInitiative Working Group. This target represents one-tenth of levels where biological effects occur, providing safety margins for children and chronic exposure.
GSM + UMTS 900 downlink showed the highest mean measurements (1,165-2,075 μW/m²), followed by UMTS 2100 downlink (442-1,632 μW/m²). LTE 800, GSM 1800, and LTE 2600 frequencies also contributed significantly to total exposure.
The highest exposures occurred near wall-mounted base stations, where levels exceeded 95,544 μW/m² and surpassed the measuring equipment's detection limit of 6 V/m. These represented the most extreme exposure areas within the station.
Researchers used an EME Spy 200 exposimeter covering 20 different radiofrequency bands from 88 to 5,850 MHz, collecting 1,669 data points throughout the station to create a comprehensive exposure map.