International Telecommunication Union
ITU-T activities in
EMF safety
Greg Jones
ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
greg.jones@itu.int
Seminar on Impact of Electromagnetic Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda, 3-5 September 2003
Context
o 1996 – ITU-T SG5 became involved in the
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
subject of human exposure to Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF)
o Increased use of radio systems has raised
public awareness on EMF in the environment
o Operators are now looking to control, measure
and calculate EMF radiated to comply with the
limits proposed by international bodies (such
as the International Conference on NonIonizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP) or
national authorities
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ITU-T Study Group 5
o Study Group 5
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
Protection against electromagnetic
environment effects
o Q 3/5
Radio-frequency environmental
characterization and health effects
related to mobile equipment and
radio systems
3
EMF exposure standards
o Basic restrictions
• The amount of electromagnetic
energy absorbed by the human body
o Reference levels
• Specify the limits in terms EMF
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
4
ITU-T Rec. K.52
o Guidance on complying with limits
for human exposure to EMF
• Compliance with limits for mobile
base stations and microwave links
• Based on simple prediction methods
• Includes mitigation techniques where
limits are not met
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
5
Ongoing work
o ITU-T SG5 is developing
Recommendations for measurements
and numerical prediction
o Other areas that may be considered
• Additional installation guidelines
• Handset compliance
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
6
WHO EMF project
o Gaps in knowledge
• Pulsed and modulated radio
frequency fields
o ITU-T SG5 collaboration
o May result in revision of national or
international exposure limits
Seminar on
Impact of
Electromagnetic
Field Emissions
Kampala, Uganda
3-5 September 2003
• If this occurs, SG5 will evaluate the
impact of the changes and revise any
Recommendation affected
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