ITU's EMF Activities: Ensuring Safety and Compliance

1. http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/emf/Pages/default.aspx An overview of ITU's activities on EMF Cristina Bueti Advisor, ITU-T Study Group 5

2. The ICT revolution By end 2014, there will be: • ~ 3 billion Internet users, • two-thirds of them coming from the developing world • the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally (5% of these subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world) • mobile-cellular subscriptions will reach almost 7 billion by end 2014 Source: ITU, The World in 2014: ICT Facts and Figureswww.itu.int/en/ITU-D/statistics

3. The issue… Lack of regulation and/or non-compliance... The electromagnetic fields are unknown and undetectable for people… Lack of communication and information to citizens… It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…

4. Regulation of non-ionizing radiations Exposure standards: Specifications that limit the exposure of people to the Electromagnetic fields (EMF) Emission standards: Specifications that limit the emission of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the devices

5. How can global standards help… • Facilitate compliance with international standards • Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders • Ensure transparency • Enhance communication with citizens

6. ITU-T Study Group 5 Lead study group for: electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic effects 7 Questions WP1/5 Damage prevention and safety WP3/5 ICT and climate change 5 Questions WP2/5 Electromagnetic fields: emission, immunity and human exposure Q7/5 Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment 6 Questions

7. Question 7/5 Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment Main study area: • Real site measurements and modeling of the multiple sources operating on different frequencies and transmitting antennas; • Determine the validity of electromagnetic field predictions; • Procedures and guidance on numerical modeling of EMFs in the areas around telecommunication transmitting antennas and various systems; • Guidance based on existing SAR measuring and calculating procedures, techniques and protocols for evaluating EMF due to ICT equipment; • Handbook to answer frequently questions about human exposure to EMF.

8. Question 7/5 Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment Main tasks: • Develop Recommendations for the telecommunication sector; • Implement the mandate of the ITU Resolutions on EMF; • Collaboration with other standardization bodies (IEC, CENELEC, WHO) in order to avoid duplication of work; • Maintenance and enhancement of the existing Recommendations.

9. ITU-T SG5Focus Group on Smart Sustainable Cities (FG–SSC) • FG-SSC includes „EMF Considerations in Smart Sustainable Cities„ • The design and deployment of wireless networks must ensure electromagnetic field (EMF) compliance and minimize human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation • EMF considerations in Smart Sustainable Cities have to ensure the networks and connected devices operate safely and most efficiently • http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/focusgroups/ssc/Pages/default.aspx

10. Typical EMF assessment Safety • EMF compliance at sites • Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) for workers and public Environmental • Radio signals in the community • Educational & informative

11. EMF assessment methods Calculations or measurements? • EMF assessment method depends on site & environment • Calculations - suitable in many cases, & have significant benefits - accurate, fast & cost effective • Measurements - required in very complex environments • Field monitoring • Field monitoring is effective when working on towers for safety • Field surveys can provide public reassurance • Continuous monitoring – limited long term benefit where EMF levels are low and stable ITU-T Recommendations - guidance on both calculation and measurements

12. ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment • ITU-T K.52 Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields • ITU-T K.61 Guidance on measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations • ITU-T K.70 Mitigation techniques to limit human exposure to EMFs in the vicinity of radiocommunication stations – includes EMF Estimator software • ITU-T K.83 Monitoring of electromagnetic field levels • ITU-T K.91 Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields • ITU-T K.100 Measurement of radio frequency electromagnetic fields to determine compliance with human exposure limits when a base station is put into service

13. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K. 52 aims to help with compliance with safety limits for human exposure to EMFs; • Provides guidance on calculation method, and installation assessment procedure; • Is based on safety limits provided by ICNIRP; • Determines the likelihood of installation compliance based on accessibility criteria, antenna properties and emitter power;  Recommends IEC Standard for the compliance measurement of mobile handsets.

14. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K. 61 helps telecommunication operators to verify compliance with exposure standards promulgated by local or national authorities; • Provides guidance on measurement methods that can be used to achieve a compliance assessment; • Provides guidance on the selection of numerical methods suitable for exposure prediction in various situations.

15. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K. 70 defines techniques which may be used by telecommunication operators to evaluate the cumulative (total) exposure ratio in the vicinity of transmitting antennas and to identify the main source of radiation; • Provides guidance on mitigation methods which allow reduction of radiation level; • Provides guidance on procedures necessary in the environment (on site) in which, in most cases, there is a simultaneous exposure to multiple frequencies from many different sources;  Includes a software provided that implements the methodology: EMF estimator

16. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K.83 provides guidance on how to make long-term measurements and monitoring of EMF in the selected areas that are under public concern, in order to show that EMFs are under control and under the limits; ​  Implementation of Recommendation ITU-T K.83 "Monitoring of electromagnetic field levels" in countries (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Uruguay).

17. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K.91 provides guidance on how to assess and monitor human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) in areas with surrounding radio communication installations based on existing exposure and compliance standards, based on existing exposure and compliance standards in the frequency range of 9 kHz to 300 GHz; includes advantages and disadvantages of methods.

18. Highlights on deliverables - continued Guide on electromagnetic fields and health (​Supplement 1 to Recommendation ITU-T K.91) • Answers to typical questions asked by the public on EMF, and to address typical misunderstandings on EMF matters in the society • Provides education and information: promoting EMF information and education resources suitable for all communities, stakeholders and governments. • Supports clarification of the science: referencing the WHO and other stakeholders providing information most useful in helping clarify scientific uncertainties e.g. in the areas of Radio Frequency technology, infrastructure implementation, usage, and consequential EMF exposure.

19. Highlights on deliverables - continued • ITU-T K.100 provides guidance on how to measure radio frequency electromagnetic fields in order to determine compliance with human exposure limits when a base station is put into service

20. Deliverables under study • ITU-T K.env - Guidance on the Environmental Management for Electromagnetic Radiation from Radiocommunication Base Stations • ITU-T K.maps - Maps of the RF EMF

21. EMF flyer and website

22. ITU-D Study Group 2 Question 7/2 - Strategies and policies concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields • Q7/2 was agreed on at WTDC-14 for the 2014-2018 study period. • Q7/2 is a continuation of ITU-D SG1 Q23/1 (Final deliverables online in all six languages at: http://www.itu.int/pub/D-STG-SG01.23-2014). Topics to be studied under Question 7/2: • Compilation and analysis of envisaged or adopted regulatory policies on human exposure to electromagnetic fields authorizing the installation of radiocommunication sites and telecommunication systems over electric power lines; • Description of strategies or methods for raising awareness and informing people about the effects of electromagnetic fields caused by radio systems; • Preparation guidelines and best practices.

23. ITU-D Study Group 2 Expected outcomes: Report(s) and Guidelines • Providing information on regulatory policies concerning EMF. • Describing strategies for raising the awareness and sharing information about the possible effects of EMF and related country case studies. • Sharing country experiences related to the regulation and measurements of the EMF. • Providing information that may assist Member States in resolving common issues faced by different stakeholders, notably regulatory bodies when it comes to EMF. • Etc. (details will be shared in the work plan for the Question) * • First meeting of Q7/2 for the new study cycle: • During the ITU-D SG2 meeting in Geneva, 22-26 September 2014 • Details on how to participate are available here: • http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/CDS/sg/blkmeetings.asp?lg=1&sp=2014&blk=13709

24. ITU-R Study Groups Study Group Department • Study Group 1 (SG 1) - Spectrum management • Study Group 3 (SG 3) - Radiowave propagation • Study Group 4 (SG 4) - Satellite services • Study Group 5 (SG 5) - Terrestrial services • Study Group 6 (SG 6) - Broadcasting service • Study Group 7 (SG 7) - Science services ITU-R Activities on human exposure to non-ionizing radiation

25. ITU-R Study Groups Spectrum management Handbook on Spectrum monitoring – Edition 2011 http://www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-23-2011/en • Non-ionizing radiation measurements, § 5.6 • Measurement procedures/techniques and instruments • Covers 9 kHz – 6 GHz range and above • Different types of signals and services • ICNIRP 1998: Reference levels for occupationaland general public exposure to time-varyingelectric and magnetic fields

26. ITU-R Study Groups Broadcasting service Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698 Evaluating fields from terrestrial BC transmitting systems operating in any frequency band for assessing exposure to non-ionizing radiation. Provides: • Considerations relating to field strengths and characteristics also in the near field and for the bands: • LF/MF bands (150-1 605 kHz) • HF bands (3-30 MHz) • VHF/UHF bands (30 MHz-3 GHz) • SHF (3-30 GHz) • Closed solutions and numerical procedures for calculating exposure to non-ionizing radiation

27. ITU-R Study Groups Broadcasting service Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698 Evaluating fields from terrestrial BC transmitting systems operating in any frequency band for assessing exposure to non-ionizing radiation. Provides: • Measurement techniques and required instrumentation for measuring EMF and exposure levels • Precautionary measures to be taken at transmitting stations and in their vicinity • Exposure limits and derived levels based on: • IEEE/ANSI (1992) • ICNIRP (April 1998) • NRPB (UK, 1993)

28. Purpose of ITU’s activities EMF safety • Important to assess EMF compliance at sites • Important to establish Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) procedures Environmental • Educational and informative • Calculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed Effective public communication

29. Conclusions • Compliance with EMF exposure limits is a substantial factor in SSC development • Good communication with public is a very important task • Efficient deployment of wireless infrastructure reduces the RF EMF from networks and devices • ITU guidance may be helpful in smooth and safe implementation of wireless systems

30. ITU-T/SG5 “Environment & Climate Change”itu.int/go/tsg5 • ITU-T/SG5 Series K Recommendations (free of charge)itu.int/ITU-T/recommendations/index_sg.aspx?sg=5 • ITU and EMFitu.int/go/emfs Thank you