EMF Safety

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) occur in nature and thus have always been present on earth. The introduction of technologies have brought along the introduction of man-made sources of EMF. With the advent of wireless communications, exposure to EMF is ever increasing. Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of electric and magnetic fields at many different frequencies both at home and at work.

Under section 18(1)(n) of the ICT Act 2001 (as amended), the ICT Authority has the function to “ensure the safety and quality of every information and communication services including telecommunication service and, for that purpose, determine technical standards for telecommunication network, the connection of customer equipment to telecommunication networks”

In order to fulfil the above statutory function, the Authority carries out the evaluation of radio communication installations. The results of these evaluations are compared with internationally recognised safety limits. In accordance with ITU-T Recommendation K.52 and international best practices, the Authority currently applies the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) limits as the reference levels in its evaluation process. These limits are recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

With regard to EMF safety, the Authority has two main lines of action:-

1. Evaluate installations prior to operators placing them in service. For this purpose, the Authority has set-up a procedure since mid-2008 whereby operators apply for Authorization prior to setting-up their base stations. The Authority then evaluates the installation for EMF safety in accordance with the ITU-T Rec. K.52. The base station are authorised only when they have been evaluated as complying to the exposure limits;

2. Evaluate installations which are already in place by way of in-situ measurements. For that purpose, the Authority has adopted an in-situ measurement protocol.

On 03 September 2009, the ICT Authority launched a Consultation on Radio Frequency (RF) Safety. Click here to go the the event's page

Documents:

1. In-situ measurement protocol
   
   
2. Application for Authorisation in respect of setting up/modification of stations

Links of interest:

http://www.who.int/topics/electromagnetic_fields/en/

http://www.icnirp.de/

http://www.itu.int/