With ICTs everywhere,
how safe is EMF?
Guy-Michel KOUAKOU
Chairman of Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa
(SG5 RG-AFR)
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The issue…
The electromagnetic
electromagnetic fields
are unknown and
undetectable
undetectable for
for people…
people…
In some countries,
Lack of regulation
there is lack of regulation
and/or
and/or
non-compliance...
non-compliance...
There isLack
a clear
of lack of
communication and
information to citizens…
It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…
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ITU-T’s mandate on EMF
ITU-T Resolution 72
“Measurement concerns related to human exposure to
electromagnetic fields”
 World Telecommunication Standardization
Assembly (Rev. Dubai, 2012)
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Regulation of non-ionizing radiations
Exposure standards:
Specifications that limit the
exposure of people to the
Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Emission standards:
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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ITU-T Study Group 5
Lead study group for: electromagnetic
compatibility and electromagnetic effects
7 Questions
WP1/5
Damage
prevention
and safety
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 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 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, 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 both calculation and measurements
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ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment
 ITU-T K.91 Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of human




exposure 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 and El
Salvador, ect).
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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 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
Reflecting surface
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K.61_F02
Deliverables under study
 ITU-T K.mpis - Measurement of radio frequency electromagnetic
fields to determine compliance with human exposure limits when a
base station is put into service
 Application on EMF Guide
 provides information on EMF in a user
friendly manner – available for
smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.
 Information guide on human exposure to EMF
 answers to typical questions asked by the public on EMF, and to
address typical misunderstandings on EMF matters in the society
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EMF flyer and website
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Purpose of ITU-T’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 Communications
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ITU-T’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.
Malcolm Johnson,
ITU/TSB Director
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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Forthcoming events
 Meeting of ITU-T SG5 Working Party 1 and Working
Party 2
23-29 July 2014, Geneva, Switzerland
 Forum on "EMF - What does it really mean?“
4 September 2014, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
 4th ITU Green Standards Week
22-26 September 2014, Beijing, China
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Additional information
 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!
tsbsg5@itu.int
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to connecting the world