A new nationwide survey suggests that Greeks are more concerned about tanning beds and mobile phone towers than electromagnetic fields themselves, while broader issues such as the cost of living and public health rank far higher among their everyday worries.

The survey, conducted in May 2026 by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) in cooperation with Metron Analysis, surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 adults across the country to assess public perceptions of electromagnetic fields and identify areas where better public information is needed.

Tanning beds top radiation-related concerns

The survey found that 48% of respondents are fairly or very concerned about the use of tanning beds, making it the leading radiation-related concern.

This was followed by:

• Mobile phone base stations: 45%
• Nuclear power plants: 45%
• Natural ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun: 45%
• High-voltage power lines: 41%

By comparison, only 31% said they were fairly or very concerned about electromagnetic fields. Similar levels of concern were recorded when respondents were asked about “electromagnetic waves” (32%) and “electric fields” (29%), suggesting that the public views these terms in much the same way.

Cost of living remains the biggest concern

Despite ongoing public debate over mobile infrastructure, electromagnetic fields are far from the country’s leading concern.

According to the survey:

• 81% are worried about the rising cost of living.
• 78% are concerned about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals.
• 77% cite pesticides in food and water.
• 73% are concerned about war and international conflicts.

These figures significantly exceed the 31% who expressed concern about electromagnetic fields.

Mobile phone towers remain a sensitive issue

While overall concern about electromagnetic fields is relatively limited, mobile phone towers remain the source most commonly associated with exposure.

Around 80% of respondents identified base stations as a source of electromagnetic fields, followed by mobile phones (74%), high-voltage power lines (69%), modems and routers (67%), and Wi-Fi networks (61%).

More than half of those surveyed also said they would oppose the installation of a mobile phone tower near their home, even if it resulted in improved telecommunications services.

Younger people are less concerned

The survey revealed a clear generational divide, with younger adults expressing significantly lower levels of concern than older respondents.

Among those aged 18 to 24, only 19% said they were concerned about electromagnetic fields, compared with 39% of people aged 55 to 64. Concern over mobile phone towers stood at 20% among younger respondents, versus nearly 60% in the older age group.

Similar differences were recorded for high-voltage power lines and electric fields, suggesting younger generations are generally more comfortable with technologies associated with electromagnetic exposure.

Science remains the most trusted source

The findings also indicate strong public confidence in scientific information.

Some 67% of respondents said they trust information from scientific journals, books and research publications, compared with 26% for online sources, 25% for television and radio, and just 14% for social media.

Among institutions, universities and public research organizations were rated the most trustworthy source of information (69%), followed by the World Health Organization (56%) and the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (52%).

The survey concludes that while concerns remain over certain sources of radiation exposure, Greeks place greater emphasis on broader health and economic challenges and overwhelmingly prefer information backed by scientific evidence.