Committed to connecting the world With ICTs everywhere, how safe is EMF? Guy-Michel KOUAKOU Chairman of Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa (SG5 RG-AFR)

Committed to connecting the world

With ICTs everywhere, how safe is EMF?

Guy-Michel KOUAKOU

Chairman of Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa (SG5 RG-AFR)


The issue…

The electromagnetic fields are unknown and

undetectable for people…

There is a clear lack ofcommunication and

information to citizens…

In some countries, there is lack of regulation

and/ornon-compliance...



There is a clear lack ofcommunication and


In some countries, there is lack of regulation

and/ornon-compliance...

It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…



Lack ofcommunication and


Lack of regulation and/or

non-compliance...


ITU-T Resolution 72 “Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields”

World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (Rev. Dubai, 2012)

ITU-T’s mandate on EMF


Regulation of non-ionizing radiations

Emission standards:

Specifications that limit the emission of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the devices

Exposure standards:Specifications that limit the exposure of people to the Electromagnetic fields (EMF)


How can global standards help…

Facilitate compliance with international standards

Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders

Ensure transparency

Enhance communication with citizens


ITU-T Study Group 5

WP1/5Damage

prevention and safety

WP2/5 Electromagnetic fields:

emission, immunity and human exposure

WP3/5 ICT and climate

change5 Questions

6 Questions

7 Questions

Q7/5 Human exposure to electromagnetic fields

(EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment

Lead study group for: electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic effects


Question 7/5

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.

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment


Question 7/5

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.

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment


Typical EMF assessment

SafetyEMF compliance at sitesOccupational Health & Safety (OH&S) for workers and public

EnvironmentalRadio signals in the communityEducational & informative


EMF assessment methods

ITU-T Recommendations - guidance on both calculation and 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

Calculations or measurements?


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

ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment


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.

Highlights on deliverables


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).

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



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.



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.


K.61_F02

Antenna Reflecting wall

Reflecting surface

directreflection

no reflection


Application on EMF Guide provides information on EMF in a user

friendly manner – available forsmartphones, 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

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

Deliverables under study


EMF flyer and website


EMF SafetyImportant to assess EMF compliance at sitesImportant to establish Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) procedures

EnvironmentalEducational and informativeCalculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed

Effective Public Communications

Purpose of ITU-T’s activities


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.

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.”

Malcolm Johnson, ITU/TSB Director


Forthcoming events

Meeting of ITU-T SG5 Working Party 1 and Working Party 223-29 July 2014, Geneva, Switzerland

Forum on "EMF - What does it really mean?“4 September 2014, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

4th ITU Green Standards Week22-26 September 2014, Beijing, China


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 EMFitu.int/go/emfs

THANK YOU! [email protected]

Documents

Committed to connecting the world With ICTs everywhere, how safe is EMF? Guy-Michel KOUAKOU Chairman of Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa (SG5 RG-AFR)