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With ICTs everywhere,
how safe is EMF?
Cristina Bueti
Adviser of ITU-T Study Group 5
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
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UN specialized agency for ICTs
unique public/private partnership
Members:
 193 Member States (Governments and regulatory bodies)
 Over 700 Private Sector (Sector Members and Associates)
 Over 63 Academia
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ITU structure
Standardization
(ITU-T) produces
interoperable
technical ICT
standards
Radiocommunication
(ITU-R) coordinates
global wireless
communication
Development (ITU-D)
provides assistance to the
un-connected
General Secretariat
provides coordination
for the whole
organization
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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 Figures
www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/statistics
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The issue…
The electromagnetic fields
are unknown and
undetectable for people…
Lack of regulation
and/or
non-compliance...
Lack of
communication and
information to citizens…
It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…
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Regulation of non-ionizing radiations
Exposure standards:
Emission standards:
Specifications that limit the
exposure of people to the
Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Specifications that limit the
emission of electromagnetic
fields (EMF) from the devices
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How can global standards help…
 Facilitate compliance with
international standards
 Strengthen collaboration among
stakeholders
 Ensure transparency
 Enhance communication with citizens
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Lead study group for:
electromagnetic
compatibility and
electromagnetic
effects
ITU-T Study Group 5
WP1/5
Damage
prevention
and safety
7 Questions
WP3/5
ICT and climate
change
5 Questions
WP2/5
Electromagnetic fields:
emission, immunity and
human exposure
6 Questions
Q7/5 Human exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due
to radio systems and mobile
equipment
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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
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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.
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Question 7/5
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio
systems and mobile equipment
Main tasks:
 Develop Recommendations for the telecommunication
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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.
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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
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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,
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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
International
both calculation and measurements
Telecommunication
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ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment
 ITU-T K.91 Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of human exposure
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to radio frequency electromagnetic fields
ITU-T K.83 Monitoring of electromagnetic field levels
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.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
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Highlights on deliverables
 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.
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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).
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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
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K. 52 aims to help with compliance with safety
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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.
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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.
Antenna
Reflecting wall
no reflection
direct
reflection
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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.
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Deliverables under study
 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
 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
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EMF flyer and website
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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.
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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
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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
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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 occupational
and general public exposure to time-varying
electric and magnetic fields
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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 nonionizing radiation
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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)
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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
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ITU’s vision
“The rational solution to citizens’ concerns regarding exposure
to EMFs is to ensure that the actions of national regulators and
network operators are accompanied to the greatest possible
extent by transparency and communication with citizens.
Compliance with international standards and associated
reporting mechanisms assures citizens that regulators and
network operators have complied with international best
practices in deploying base stations, thereby safeguarding
citizens’ health.”
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Malcolm Johnson
ITU/TSB Director
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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 EMF
itu.int/go/emfs
Thank you
cristina.bueti@itu.int
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