Recent aerial air tests detected a higher than average level of radioactivity near the Mühleberg nuclear plant in the canton of Bern, as shown in red in the image below. The source of the radioactivity was identified as vapour containing the radioactive isotope N-16. N-16 has a half life of around 7 seconds, so it loses […]
Some Swiss train platforms might not be smoke-free until 2020
Many looking forward to smoke-free train platforms in Switzerland might be disappointed. The public transport union (UTP) announced in November 2018 that Swiss train platforms would be free of smoking from 1 June 2019 after testing the concept earlier in 2018. However, according to a recent press release 1 June 2019 is the rollout start […]
Smoking ban on Swiss train platforms faces delays
From 1 June 2019, Swiss train platforms are to be smoke free, in theory at least. In practice the ban could take longer at some train stations, according to the news website Watson. Implementing the ban involves creating designated smoking areas, something which will require more time in some locations, particularly at small regional train […]
Illegal nitrite found in tuna sold in Switzerland
Fresh tuna has is a nice red colour, however it quickly turns brown when exposed to the air. Tuna is easier to sell red than brown so those involved in the trade are faced with a temptation to reverse the discolouration. In 2017, an estimated CHF 200 million was made tricking retailers and consumers in […]
Assura to refund 30 million francs to policyholders
Switzerland’s third largest health insurer had a good year in 2018, according to recently published financial statements. Instead of holding onto all of the CHF 61.9 million profit it made last year, the not-for-profit company plans to return some of the money to policyholders between now and the end of the year. Around half of […]
Only 38% of young Swiss men fertile, according to research
Research by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) found that only 38% of the men it studied in Switzerland had sperm above the standard the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers men to be fertile. The study, which analyzed sperm from 2,523 men between the ages of 18 and 22 who were conceived and born in Switzerland, […]
Protests against 5G mobile continue in Switzerland
Last week, a crowd assembled in Bern outside Switzerland’s federal parliament building to protest the roll out of 5G mobile technology in Switzerland. Frequencia, the organisation behind the demonstration, claims that around 3,000 people attended. Switzerland’s “Stop 5G” movement is demanding a halt to further roll out of the technology in Switzerland, a process already […]
Swiss politicians call for fines for those who don’t vaccinate
The recent rise in the number of cases of measles, a disease which is easily prevented by vaccination, has led some Swiss politicians to call for compulsory vaccination, and fines for those avoiding them, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. Switzerland’s system of collective compulsory health insurance means the costs of the actions of individuals […]
Switzerland makes some progress on child obesity
Last year, the percentage of children aged 8 to 12 in Switzerland that were obese or overweight fell to 19.3% during the 2017/2018 school year, the lowest it has been in over ten years, according to Promotion Santé Suisse. The number of overweight or obese school children in Switzerland rises with age. During the 2017/2018 […]
Geneva blocks the erection of 5G mobile antennas
Last week, Antonio Hodgers, the head of Geneva’s executive, announced a ban on the erection of further 5G mobile antennas in the canton, according to an interview on RTS. Motivated by uncertainty on the potential health effects of the new technology, the temporary freeze is the most the cantonal government can do to stop the […]
