ITU Workshop on Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): Assessing EMF Levels and Recommendations

1. ITU Workshop on “Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)” (Quito, Ecuador, 14 August 2013) Assessing EMF LevelsGuidance and Recommendations Mike Wood EME Management Education & Compliance Telstra

2. Introduction • This presentation covers • Radio communications in the community • Environmental radio spectrum plot • Mobile network facilities • Typical EMF assessments & methods • ITU EMF recommendations • Conclusions

3. Radio Communications Services

4. Radio Communication Powers

5. Radio Communication Spectrum Plot Typical radio signal levels in a community

6. Typical EMF Assessments • Safety • EMF compliance at sites • OH&S for workers and public • Environmental • Radio signals in the community • Educational & informative

7. Mobile Networks in the Community Example Town

8. Towers Masts or Poles

9. Rooftop Base Stations

10. Micro Cells

11. EMF Safety Assessment EMF Compliance Assessments on rooftops

12. EMF Safety Assessment - Public Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

13. EMF Safety Assessment Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

14. EMF Safety Assessment - microcells Micro cells operate at low power and typically have small compliance zones Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

15. Example EMF Safety Assessment Building Rooftop Yellow – Public limit Red – Occupational limit Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

16. Recommendationsfor EMF Assessments • Safety • EMF compliance at sites • OH&S for workers and public • Mitigation options to manage access • Environmental • Radio signals in the community • Educational & informative

17. 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 Recommendations - guidance on both calculation and measurements

18. ITU Recommendationsfor EMF Assessments ITU-T K.91 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 – inc advantages and disadvantages of methods ITU-T K.83 guidance on how to make long-term measurements & 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. 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 – includes EMF Estimator softwareITU-T K.52 Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields (telecommunications installations and handsets) ITU-T K.61 Guidance to measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations

19. EMF Assessment Example - Australia • Environmental EMF report is prepared for all base stations - follows Government calculation method & gives communities EMF information. • Site ICNIRP Compliance Assessment is prepared for all base stations - follows accredited calculation and measurement process • Government conducts site compliance audits & measurements at selected sites – ensures compliance, accurate information & public trust • All site reports on internet database www.rfnsa.com.au • Public confidence has increased through transparency

20. Conclusions and Recommendations • EMF Safety • Important to assess EMF compliance at sites • Important to establish OH&S procedures • Environmental • Educational & informative • Radio signal levels are typically low & stable • Calculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed • Effective Public Communications

21. Links & Additional Information Thank You Mike.wood@team.telstra.com ITU-T/SG5 “Environment & Climate Change” http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com05/index.asp ITU-T/SG5 Series K Recommendations (free of charge) http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/recommendations/index_sg.aspx?sg=5 ITU-T and EMFhttp://www.itu.int/ITU-T/emf