Quito, Ecuador, 14 August 2013 Assessing EMF Levels Guidance and Recommendations Mike Wood EME Management Education & Compliance Telstra ITU Workshop on.

Quito, Ecuador, 14 August 2013

Assessing EMF LevelsGuidance and Recommendations

Mike WoodEME Management Education & Compliance

Telstra

ITU Workshop on “Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

(EMFs)”

(Quito, Ecuador, 14 August 2013)

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Introduction

This presentation covers

Radio communications in the communityEnvironmental radio spectrum plotMobile network facilitiesTypical EMF assessments & methodsITU EMF recommendationsConclusions

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Radio Communications Services

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Radio Communication Powers

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Radio Communication Spectrum Plot

Typical radio signal levels in a community

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Typical EMF Assessments

SafetyEMF compliance at sitesOH&S for workers and public

EnvironmentalRadio signals in the communityEducational & informative

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Mobile Networks in the Community

Example Town

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Towers Masts or Poles

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Rooftop Base Stations

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Micro Cells

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EMF Safety Assessment

EMF Compliance Assessments on rooftops

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EMF Safety Assessment - Public

Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

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EMF Safety Assessment

Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

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EMF Safety Assessment - microcells

Micro cells operate at low power and typically have small compliance zones

Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

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Example EMF Safety Assessment

Assessment to the ICNIRP Guidelines

Yellow – Public limit

Red – Occupational limit

Building Rooftop

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Recommendationsfor EMF Assessments

SafetyEMF compliance at sitesOH&S for workers and publicMitigation options to manage access

EnvironmentalRadio signals in the communityEducational & informative

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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

ITU Recommendationsfor EMF Assessments

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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 software

ITU-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

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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

Conclusions and Recommendations

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EMF SafetyImportant to assess EMF compliance at sitesImportant to establish OH&S procedures

EnvironmentalEducational & informativeRadio signal levels are typically low & stableCalculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed

Effective Public Communications

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Links & Additional Information

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

Thank You

[email protected]