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INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

Telecommunications Development Bureau (BDT)

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA

EMF

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION

OVERVIEWMs Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Introduction

Exposure fundamentals

K.52 Exposure Classification

Mitigation/avoidance Techniques

Conclusion

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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INTRODUCTION

• EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field)- Combined electric and magnetic field components of a radio wave.- Our society is swarming with radio waves.- The EMF emissions the society is exposed

to has been rising significantly by factors of thousands since the second World War.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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There are waves from difference sources which are used by individual, industry and commercial purposes. These include;

Radio and TV transmitter stations/towers, radio, television computers microwaves and

cell phones, cell sites,mobile phones, cordless phones, microwave ovens, radars, portable phones, other equipment used in industry, medicine, commerce etc.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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- Technologies changing the way to do

business,made our life richer and easier.

- Modern society is inconceivable without computers, television and radio.

- Mobile phones have greatly enhanced the ability of individuals to communicate with each other and have facilitated the dispatch emergency medical and police aid to persons in both urban and rural environment.

- Radars make air travelling much saferMs Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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These technologies have brought with them

concerns about possible health risks associated

with their use.

- Safety of cellular mobile phones, electric power lines and police speed-control (radar guns)

- could have adverse health effects, such as cancer, reduced fertility, memory loss, adverse changes in child behaviour and development.

However, the actual level of health risk is not known, although

for certain types of EMF, at levels found in the

community, it may be very low or non-existent.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Exposure Fundamentals

Types of exposure

- Controlled/occupational exposure

- General population/ uncontrolled exposure (also known as general public exposure)

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Exposure Fundamentals

Exposure limits - Reference:

- ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-

Ionizing Radiation Protection)

- Guidelines published in 1998 by ICNIRP

- World Health Organization endorsement, international acceptance.

- Basic restrictions, reference levels

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Exposure Fundamentals

• If the EMF exposure assessment indicates that acceptable exposure limits may be exceeded in areas where people may be present, mitigation/ avoidance measures should be applied.

• Assessment should be performed as part of planning, licensing or commissioning

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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K.52 Exposure Classification

• Compliance zone

- Potential exposure to EMF is below the applicable limits.

• Occupational zone

- Potential exposure to EMF is below the limits for occupational exposure but exceeds

the limits for general public exposure.• Exceedance zone

- Potential exposure exceeds the limits for both occupational and general public exposure.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Mitigation/avoidance Techniques

• Occupational zone

- Restrict access to general public

Physical barriers, lockout procedures or adequate signs can accomplish the

access restriction.

- Workers may be permitted to enter the area

Workers entering the occupational zone should be informed.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Mitigation/avoidance Techniques

• Exceedance zone

- Restrict access to workers and the general public

If workers need to enter the area, take steps to control their exposure.

1. Temporarily reduce the power of the emitter,

2. Controlling the duration of exposure so that time-averaged exposure is within safety limits,

3. Use shielding or protective clothingMs Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Conclusion• Measures to significantly reduce electric and

magnetic fields in the environment, below what is now commonly accepted may be costly.

• It has been estimated that concerns about EMF and health are now costing the United states economy alone some US$1 billion annually (Fact sheet N181 Reviewed may 1998).

• However, if unacceptable health risks do occur, costly prevention measures will be required.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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Emission

- Electromagnetic energy propagated from a source by radiation or conduction which may be either desired or undesired, harmful or non harmful and may occur anywhere in the electromagnetic spectrum.

- That is why governments all over the world regulate and limit electromagnetic radiation of devices and sources mentioned.

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Kampala, Uganda 2003

Ms Chali TumeloITU Senior Advisor for Network Management And Development for Eastern & Southern AfricaTel: +251 1 514977/514855, Fax: +251 1 517299

E-mail: chali.tumelo@itu.int