ITU-T SG5 activities on EMF

1. ITU-T Workshop on Delivering Good Quality Telecommunication Service in a Safe Environment in Africa(Nairobi, Kenya, 26 July – 27 July 2010 ) ITU-T SG5 activities on EMF Ahmed ZEDDAM, ITU-T SG5 Chair France Telecom Orange

2. Outline • Structure and Mandate of ITU-T/SG5 • Objective of ITU-T/SG5 • Q3/5 : Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment • Main tasks & Responsibility • Recommendations under the scope of Q3 • Resolution 72 of ITU-T • Conclusion

3. Structure of ITU-T SG5 ITU-T SG5 “Environment and climate change” Q.14 Terminology WP3/5 ICT and climate change WP2/5 Electromagnetic fields: emission, immunity and human exposure WP1/5 Damage prevention and safety 7 Questions 5 Questions 7 Questions Question 3/5 Human exposure to EMFs

4. SG 5 Keywords WP 2/5 • Human exposure to e.m. fields • EMC • Emission • Immunity • Electromagnetic security WP 3/5 • ICT & climate change • Methodology • Power feeding systems • Energy efficiency • Environmental protection, recycling WP 1/5 • Equipment Resistibility • Lightning protection • Earthing & Bonding • Electromagnetic interference from power and traction systems • Safety

5. SG 5 Mandate Study Group 5 is responsible for : • Studies relating to protection of telecommunication networks and equipment from interference and lightning; • Studies relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), to safety and to health effects connected with electromagnetic fields produced by telecommunication installations and devices, including cellular phones ; • Studies on the existing copper network outside plant and related indoor installations. • Studies on ICT & Climate Change

6. Meaning of the Mandate: Example Power line • Telecommunication centre Subscriber premises Lightning Remote site Switching equipment MDF Radio station Telecom line Mobile phone Study Electromagnetic Phenomena which can cause damages or disturbances to telecommunication installation or injury to people (telecommunication personnel and service users) or health effect to population ICT Impact on environment

7. Objective • Study environmental issues to define PROTECTIVE MEASURES, INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES & METHODOLOGIES by means : • Recommendations: K & L-series • Directives • Handbooks • Lightning Handbook, Earthing Handbook • Measuring Handbook, Mitigation Handbook • Handbooks on ICT & Climate change • Recommendations for limiting the RISK of : • Damages to telecommunication installation and equipment • Disturbances to and from telecommunication systems • Injury to people : Safety &Human exposure to e.m. fields (EMF) produced by telecommunication installations (Q3/5) • Recommendationson : • Methodologies for evaluating the ICT effects on climate change, • Energy efficiency of the power feeding systems • Methodologies to reduce environmental effects such as recycling

8. ITU-T SG5 Question 3/5 "Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment" Rapporteur: Fryderyk Lewicki (Poland) Associate Rapporteur: Tariq Alamri (Saudi Arabia)

9. Main tasks & Responsibility • Assignment of the exposure limits considered as safe for people - Medical bodies responsibility: WHO, ICNIRP, National medical authorities • Standards for evaluation and measurement of exposure level - IEC, CENELEC, COST 281, National standardization committees • Best practice, Implementation and guidance on telecommunication installations - ITU-T SG5

10. ITU-T Study Group 5 Question 3/5 :Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to radio systems and mobile equipment Guidance for the telecommunication sector  Collaboration with other standardization bodies (IEC, CENELEC, WHO) in order to avoid duplication of work Support to developing countries – Resolution 72

11. History of Study on EMF in ITU-T • New Question on EMF has started on 1996 and studying for 3 periods (12 years). • Three Recommendations have established and revised since then : • K.52: Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields   • K.61: Guidance on measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations • K.70: Mitigation techniques to limit human exposure to EMFs in the vicinity of radiocommunication stations

12. ITU-T Recommendations related to human exposure to E.M. fields • ITU-T Recommendations K.52 and K.61 • guidance on complying with safety limits for human exposure to e.m. fields from a telecommunication installation or mobile handset • adopts a step-by-step approach to determine an exceedance zone (within which field exceeds reference limits) • compliance achieved if exceedance zone is not accessible to personnel under normal conditions • ITU-T Recommendation K.70 • Mitigation Techniques to limit human exposure to EM fields in the vicinity of radiocommunication stations • Software provided that implements methodology

13. ITU Recommendations related to human exposure E.M Radiation from a telecommunication installation E.M. Safety Limits Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698 ITU-T Recommendation K.52 ITU-T Recommendation K.61 ITU-T Recommendation K.70 Assessment of hazard and need for precautionary measures Mitigation Techniques to limit human exposure

14. WTSA 08: Resolution 72 • Recognizing that some publications about EMF effects on health create doubt among the population, in particular in developing countries • Resolves to invite ITU-T, in particular Study Group 5, to expand and accelerate its work and support • Invites to contribute actively to the work of Study Group 5 in providing relevant and timely information in order to assist developing countries in providing information and addressing measurement concerns related to RF exposure "Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields"

15. WTSA 08: Resolution 72 "Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields" •  Recommendation ITU-T K.guide will be written with Resolution 72 taken into account • with big parts concerning EMF measurement • with many examples • with comparison measurement/calculation Examples of action in accordance with Resolution 72 • Technical session on EMF during SG5 meeting (May 2009) • Workshop on EMF

16. ITU-T Recommendation K.guide • Guidance on how to handle the problem of the human exposure assessment in order to help the user to apply existing standards • Procedures how to evaluate exposure • by measurement • by calculations • Procedures how to show the compliance with exposure limits • This Recommendation will be written in the possibly simple way and will be easy to understand "Guidance on how to manage human exposure to EMF’s"

17. Conclusion (1) Concerning human exposure to EMF: • ITU-T SG5 takes part in standardization by preparing Recommendations, which give appropriate guidance for administrations and telecommunication operators and supports developing countries (Resolution 72) • ITU-T activity is complementary to the works carried out in other international standardization bodies involved in this subject - there is no duplication of work

18. Conclusion (2) • All the SG5 activities are reported in our web site: http://www.itu.int/ITU-/studygroups/com05/index.asp The vast majority of all Recommendations are available in electronic (PDF) form free of charge • For a complete picture of SG 5 Publications: Guideto the use of ITU-TSG5 publications • The document is aimed at telecommunications equipment designers and operators and will also be very helpful for users in developing countries

19. Thank you