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An insight on RF radiation and the affects to our health.
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RF Radiation ExposureRF Radiation ExposureRF Radiation Health and Safety Predicament
Industry GrowthIndustry Growth
Mobile phone use has become an integral part of everyday life.
The wireless telecommunications industry enjoys tremendous popularity, if not dependence upon it.
Consumer demand continues to grow, unabated, for existing and new technologies, products and services.
Facts About The Existing Facts About The Existing TrendTrend
RF radiation transmitting antennas are omnipresent – no longer limited to isolated, remote towers. They are located on rooftops, sides of buildings, utility poles, flag poles, lighting standards, camouflaged and concealed entirely within buildings.
Workers that are compelled to work in proximity to RF radiation transmitters are no longer limited to the wireless industry’s RF trained technicians with protective gear and equipment.
Multitude of other trades are routinely required to work near RF radiation transmitting antennas despite being denied RF safety training and even information relative to the existence and location of RF radiation hazards.
Challenges & PredicamentChallenges & Predicament
Pole attachments (potentially the fastest and least expensive method of expanding networks) are pursued in the hurry-up world of fierce competition that does not always include careful engineering, permission to attach facilities, code compliant construction and maintenance
No national uniform standards exist for mapping and facility documentation
Thorough, ongoing inspections and audits are not consistently and routinely undertaken
No current solution includes the participation of all required stakeholders (i.e., commercial service providers, property owners hosting antenna sites, employers, local governments and the workers, themselves)
Current RF radiation health and safety methodologies lack independence, transparency and validation
The impossibility or impracticality of service providers to have continuous (24/7) knowledge and control of all activities at antenna sites
Mandated collocation of RF radiation transmitting antennas that results in increased aggregate RF radiation emissions, more RF radiation hazards at a site and coordinating power-down among multiple service providers more complex
Locks, fences and restricted access may protect service providers’ and property owners’ physical assets from theft and vandalism, but they do not protect workers who are compelled to enter restricted areas to fulfill their job responsibilities
Signage is often missing, mislabeled, unintelligible and outdated (particularly in an industry where mergers and acquisitions are common)
Third-party workers are generally not provided RF radiation training and are, therefore, largely uninformed of RF radiation emissions and the risks they pose
RF and Microwave RF and Microwave
Electromagnetic wave consists of wave of electric and magnetic energy moving together through space at the speed of light.
Radio waves and microwaves emitted by transmitting antennas are one form of electromagnetic energy. They are collectively referred to as “radio frequency” or RF.
RF Radiation Health and Safety RF Radiation Health and Safety HazardHazard
These wireless transmission sites come with anenvironmental, health and safety hazard:
RF RADIATION
Types of RadiationTypes of Radiation
Ionizing Radiation consists of electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules ionizing them.
Non Ionizing Radiation refers to any type of electromagnetic radiation that does not carry enough energy per quantum to ionize atoms or molecules
Ionizing RadiationIonizing Radiation
Examples of ionizing particles:
Alpha Beta Gamma Neutrons
Alpha (α) radiation consists of a fast moving Helium-4(4He) nuclei and is stopped by a sheet of paper. Beta (β) radiation, consisting of electrons, is halted by an aluminum plate. Gamma (γ) radiation, consisting of energetic photons, is eventually absorbed as it penetrates a dense material. Neutron (n) radiation consists of free neutrons which are blocked using light elements, like hydrogen, which slow and/or capture them
Ionizing Radiation SourceIonizing Radiation Source
Ionizing radiation may be
produced by:
Radioactive Decay Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Particle Accelerators
Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive materials such as:
• X-ray Tubes • Particle Accelerators • Environment - NORM
Non Ionizing RadiationNon Ionizing Radiation
Examples of non-ionizing radiation:
Ultraviolet Visible Light Infrared Microwave Radio waves Low-frequency RF
Health Effects of Ionizing Health Effects of Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Stochastic Health Stochastic Health Effects:Effects:
Stochastic effects are associated with long-term, low-level (chronic) exposure to radiation
Cancer is considered the primary health effect from radiation exposure
Changes in the DNA structure and cell damage
Body fails to repair cell, cell mutations or even creates mutations during repair.
Non-Stochastic Health Non-Stochastic Health Effects:Effects:
Non-stochastic effects
appear in cases of exposure to high levels of radiation, and become more severe as the exposure increases.
• Nausea• Weakness • Hair Loss• Skin Burns• Diminished Organ Function • Premature Aging• Death
Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Ultraviolet RadiationUltraviolet Radiation Eye – Photochemical
cataract
Skin – Erythema, pigmentation
Produces free radicals that induce cellular damage which can be carcinogenic
Induce melanin production from melanocyte cells to cause sun tanning of skin
Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Visible & Infrared LightsVisible & Infrared Lights
Skin - Aging & Burn Eyes - Photochemical &
Thermal Retinal Injury, Cataract, Corneal Burn
Hair – Cauterize Follicles Heating of Body Surface Ionize DNA
Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Microwave andMicrowave andRadio Frequency Radio Frequency
Biological effects:
• Effects on the skin• Effects on the eyes• Thermal effect on the
body
Occupational exposure standards
Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Low Frequency RadiationLow Frequency Radiation
Biological effects:
• Accumulation of charge on body surface
• Effects on the eyes• Disturbance of nerves &
muscle responses
Occupational exposure standards
Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation
Static FieldsStatic Fields
Biological effects:
• Effects on the skin• Effects on the eyes• Vertigo• Nausea
Occupational exposure standards
Health Risk TableHealth Risk Table
Radiation Source Wavelength Frequency Health Hazards
UVA Black Light, Sunlight 318 nm - 400 nm 750 THz - 950 THzEye – photochemical cataract; Skin – erythema, pigmentation
Visible LightLasers, Sunlight, Fire, LEDs, Light
Bulbs400 nm - 780 nm 385 THz - 750 THz
Skin photo aging; eye – photochemical & thermal retinal
injury
Infrared - A Lasers, Remote Controls 780 nm - 1.4 µm 215 THz - 385 THzEye – thermal retinal injury, thermal
cataract; skin burn
Infrared - BLasers, Long-distance Telecommunications
1.4 µm - 3 µm 100 THz - 215 THzEye – corneal burn, cataract; skin
burn
Infrared - C Far-infrared Laser 3 µm - 1 mm 300 GHz - 100 THzEye – corneal burn, cataract;
heating of body surface
MicrowavePCS Phones, Mobile/cell Phones,
Microwave Ovens, Cordless Phones, Motion Detectors, Radars, Wi-Fi
1 mm - 33 cm 1 GHz - 300 GHz Heating of body tissue
Radio FrequencyMobile/cell phones, Television, FM,
AM, Shortwave, CB, Cordless Phones
33 cm - 3 km 100 kHz - 1 GHzHeating of body tissue, raised body
temperature
Low Frequency Power Lines > 3 km < 100 kHzCumulating of charge on body surface; disturbance of nerve &
muscle responses
Static Field Strong Magnets, MRI Infinite 0 Hz Magnetic – vertigo/nausea
What Can We Do To Protect Our What Can We Do To Protect Our SelvesSelves
All RF radiation signs should be observed to the extent possible.
Workers should receive some RF radiation training and awareness to permit them to minimally identify the existence and location of an RF transmission source.
Worker should request and obtain power-down before beginning his work.
Authorities should implement a patented National RF Radiation Safety protocol that will ensure workers have the necessary training, certification and dynamic site specific safety information to protect themselves from RF radiation.