HEALTH EFFECTS
RSICORP.COM
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
“It’s the Law”
Because RF (Radio Frequency) energy is now
recognized as a physical hazard, you must consider worker’s and the public’s exposure when
planning operations at communications sites,or
for that manner, any location where RF energy
may be present.
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
OET Bulletin 65
97-01
“To meet its responsibilities under NEPA, the
Commission has adopted requirements for
evaluating the environmental impact of its actions.
One of several environmental factors addressed by
these requirements is human exposure to RF
energy emitted by FCC regulated transmitters and
facilities.”
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
On Aug. 25, 1997 97-303 was
adopted with a DATE CERTAIN
of Sept. 1, 2000.
(January 1, 1998 for Amateur Radio
Service)
The National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 does not allow "grand
fathering.“
“The FCC/NTIA or OSHA can not Grand
Father”
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Non-Ionizing Basics
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Electro-Magnetic Energy
(EME)
• RF is a form of electromagnetic energy
(EME) used for transmitting radio
signals.
• The main effect of EME exposure is
heating. (on-going studies).
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Electro-Magnetic Energy
(EME)
• EME exposure is non-accumulative.
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing
electron
Atom
+
nucleus
-
electron
Water Molecule H2O
Non-Ionizing Radiation - RF energy that only cause vibrations
or oscillations of the atoms which results in heat but does not
strip electrons from atoms.
Ionizing Radiation - Energy that causes electrons to be stripped
from atoms “ionizing” the atom and changing its characteristics.
The tissue is no longer as it was.
Human RF Absorption
Characteristics
Frequencies under 30 MHz are characterized as
Sub-resonant, where:
• The body and its parts are not conducive to acting as an
antenna. (The wavelength is too long.)
• RF Absorption is not relevant at these frequencies. The
energy simply passes through the body. Induced current
effects are a possibility. (OSHA enforces induced
current limits).
• Low frequency applications include AM broadcasting,
induction and RF heat sealers, as well as diathermy (<30
MHz).
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Contact/Induced Current
• RF contact current is the current induced onto
the body when contact is made with a hot
metallic object that is in the vicinity of a highlevel, low frequency emitters.
• Induced current is the current that is induced
into the entire body when an individual is
standing in a field created by high power, low
frequency operations.
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
AND OVER 100% MPE
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Medium Frequency
(30-300 MHz)
Medium Wavelength
At frequencies between 30
and 300 MHz, the human
body’s characteristics lend
themselves to being a good
antenna, where:
•The body and its parts
experience maximum
absorption and therefore acts
like an antenna, resonating
with the frequency.
Resonance:
The Specific Absorption Rate 1/2 λ 75 MHz Isolated
influences the body’s ability to 1/4 λ 38 MHz Grounded
cool after exposure.
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Human RF Absorption
Characteristics
At frequencies from 300 MHz to 300 GHz:
• The body’s ability to act as an antenna is greatly
reduced. The absorption rate decreases rapidly at frequencies
above 300 MHz. (The wavelength is too short.)
• The absorption of RF energy in the skin is an
important factor.
• Body parts tend to resonate at these frequencies,
especially the eyes and male reproductive organs.
• Higher frequencies include Paging, Sat. radio,
Cell/PCS and Microwave & Radar.
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
TISSUES
AND
R F WAVES
Tissue
Refraction
RF WAVES
Reflection/
Scattering
Transmission
Absorption
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Similar To An Antenna?
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Eyes (Animal and Human)
Keratitis (sandy, dry eyes),
cataractogenesis)
• Microwave Hearing
(clicking or buzzing)
• Immune System (Animals)
• Behavior, Neurological
(Animals)
•Implanted devices
•Cancer/Leukemia not by
thermal (Ongoing studies)
•Reproduction (Animals)
•T-Cell Reduction
(At 1.4W/Kg)
• RF Shocks (Induced currents)
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R.S.I. CORPORATION
Questions?