ITU Workshop on
“Tackling climate change and Specific Absorption
Rate (SAR) Measurement”
(Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012)
Overview of ITU-T/SG 5 activities
Ahmed ZEDDAM,
ITU-T SG5 Chair
France Telecom Orange
Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012
Outline

Environmental issues and Studies relating
to EM radiation and Health in ITU-R

Mandate and Objectives of ITU-T/SG5

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields
(EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile
equipment : ITU-T/SG5/Q3
Recommendations under the scope of Q3

Resolution 72 of ITU-T

ITU-T/SG5 Regional Group for Africa

Conclusion
Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012
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International Telecommunication Union
193 Member States
572 Sector Members
149 Associates
UN bodies
e.g. WHO, WMO
Industry fora
e.g. WiMAX
Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012
Regional/National
SDO’s
e.g. ETSI, IEC
Regional Frequency
Management
e.g. CEPT
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ITU: Committed to connecting the
world
ITU-T
ITU-D
Telecommunication
standardization
SGs:- Network
functionality, NGN,
tariffs, Environment &
Climate change
Assisting
implementation and
operation of
telecommunications in
developing countries
ITU-R
International Spectrum Management and
Radiocommunication Standardization
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Environmental issues in ITU-R
Emergency Communications
Radiocommunication services and systems for prediction, detection, alerting,
damage assessment and relief
Meteorological satellite services
Fixed (terrestrial and satellite), mobile (terrestrial and satellite), amateur and
broadcasting services
Climate and Environmental Monitoring
Remote sensing from satellites
Meteorological instrumentation, e.g. radiosondes
Relaying of climate and weather information
Spectrum Management
Economic use of radio spectrum (reduced interference and spectral pollution)
Allocation and protection of frequencies for vital services
Reduced number and power of TXs, e.g. analogue to digital broadcasting
Calculation, measurement and monitoring of electromagnetic fields (SG1 and
SG6)
Fields from broadcasting stations :Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698
Evaluation of E.M fields for assessing exposure
 ITU-R Recommendations can be used for evaluating radiation levels
and for helping to identify a hazardous situation
Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012
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Structure of ITU-T SG5
ITU-T SG5
“Environment and Climate Change ”
Q.14 Terminology
WP1/5
Damage prevention
and safety
7 Questions
Question 5/5 & 6/5
Lightning protection &
Earthing and Bonding
Cotonou, Benin, 19 July 2012
WP2/5
Electromagnetic fields:
emission, immunity and
human exposure
WP3/5
ICT and climate
change
7 Questions
7 Questions
Question 3/5
Human exposure to
EMFs
Question 18/5
Methodologies
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SG 5 Mandate
Study Group 5 is responsible for :
Studies relating to protection of telecommunication
networks and equipment from interference and
lightning;
Studies relating to electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC), to safety and to health effects connected
with electromagnetic fields produced by
telecommunication installations and devices,
including cellular phones ;
Studies on the existing copper network outside
plant and related indoor installations.
Studies on ICT & Climate Change
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Objective
Study environmental issues to define PROTECTIVE
MEASURES, INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES &
METHODOLOGIES by means :
Recommendations: K & L-series
Directives
Handbooks
Lightning Handbook, Earthing Handbook
Measuring Handbook, Mitigation Handbook
Handbooks on ICT & Climate change

Recommendations for limiting the RISK of :
Damages to telecommunication installation and equipment
Disturbances to and from telecommunication systems
Injury to people : Safety & Human exposure to e.m. fields (EMF)
produced by telecommunication installations (Q3/5)

Recommendations on :
 Methodologies for evaluating the ICT effects on climate change,
 Energy efficiency of the power feeding systems
 Methodologies to reduce environmental effects such as recycling
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ITU-T SG5
Question 3/5
"Human exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due
to radio systems and mobile
equipment"
Rapporteur: Fryderyk Lewicki (Poland)
Associate Rapporteur: Tariq Alamri (Saudi Arabia)
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Main tasks & Responsibility
Assignment of the exposure limits considered as
safe for people :
WHO, ICNIRP, National medical authorities
Standards for evaluation and measurement of
exposure levels :
IEC, CENELEC, COST 281, National standardization committees
Best practices, Implementation and guidance on
telecommunication installations :
ITU-T SG5
Compliance with ICNIRP exposure limits
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ITU-T Study Group 5
Question 3/5 : Human exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to
radio systems and mobile
equipment
 Guidance for the
telecommunication sector
 Collaboration with other
standardization bodies (IEC,
CENELEC, WHO) in order to avoid
duplication of work
 Support to developing countries –
Resolution 72
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ITU-T Recommendations related to
human exposure to E.M. fields
ITU-T Recommendations K.52 and K.61
• Guidance on complying with safety limits for human exposure
to e.m. fields from a telecommunication installation or mobile handset
• Adopts a step-by-step approach to determine an exceedance zone
(within which field exceeds reference limits)
• Compliance achieved if exceedance zone is not accessible to
personnel under normal conditions
ITU-T Recommendation K.70
•Mitigation Techniques to limit human exposure to EM fields in the
vicinity of radiocommunication stations
•Software provided that implements methodology: EMF- estimator
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ITU-T Recommendations related to
human exposure to E.M. fields
ITU-T Recommendations K.83: “Monitoring of EMF levels”
• Gives guidance on how to make long-term measurement for monitoring of
electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the selected areas that are under public concern
in order to show that EMF are under control and under the limits.
• The purpose of Recommendation K.83 is to provide for the general public clear
and easily available data concerning electromagnetic field levels in the form of
results of continuous measurement.
• The balance between costs and
accuracy is very important
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ITU-T Recommendation K.91
"Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of human
exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields”



Guidance on how to handle the problem of the human exposure
assessment in order to help the user to apply existing standards

Gives guidance on how to assess and
monitor human exposure to (EMF) in the areas
with surrounding radiocommunication installations
based on existing exposure and compliance standards
in the frequency range of 9 kHz to 300 GHz.

Oriented to the examination of the area accessible
to people in the real environment of currently operated
services with many different sources of RF EMF

Gives references to standards and recommendations
related to EMF compliance of products.
A software is provided in order to help in the calculation of the
uncertainty
Recommendation ITU-T K.91 developped with Resolution 72 taken
into account
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ITU-T SG5 Regional Group for Africa
 Created by SG5 (In accordance with Resolution 72),
in May 2009
 Objectives :
 Encourage national authorities, operators and
consumers from developing countries to work
together and better contribute to ITU-T activities
on the achievement of EMC in telecommunication
installations as well as on EMF and human health

To enhance the collaboration on all activities
related to “Climate change” in conformity with SG5
extended mandate
Contact: tsbsg5rgafr@itu.int
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Conclusion
Presentation of the objectives of ITU-R and ITU-T with
regard to studies on EMF
Activities relating to EMF exposure assessment for which
Recommendations can be used to identify potentially
hazardous situations and to comply with exposure limits
ITU-T SG5 takes part in standardization by preparing
Recommendations, which give appropriate guidance for
administrations and telecommunication operators and
supports developing countries (Resolution 72)
ITU activity is complementary to the works carried out in
other international standardization bodies involved in this
subject - there is no duplication of work
Objectives of the SG5 Regional Group for Africa
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All the SG5 activities are reported in our web site:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-/studygroups/com05/index.asp
The vast majority of all Recommendations are available in
electronic (PDF) form free of charge
For a complete picture of SG 5 Publications:
Guide to the use of ITU-TSG5 publications

The document is aimed at telecommunications equipment
designers and operators and will also be very helpful for users in
developing countries
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Thank you
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