Abstract
This study aims to describe current risk management practices and policies across the world in relation to personal exposures from devices emitting radiofrequency fields, environmental exposures from fixed installations and exposures in the work environment. Data from 86 countries representing all WHO regions were collected through a survey. The majority of countries (76.8 %) had set exposure limits for mobile devices, almost all (90.7 %) had set public exposure limits for fixed installations and 76.5 % had specified exposure limits for personnel in occupational settings. A number of other policies had been implemented at the national level, ranging from information provisions on how to reduce personal exposures and restrictions of usage for certain populations, such as children or pregnant women to prevention of access around base stations. This study suggests that countries with higher mobile subscriptions tend to have set radiofrequency exposure limits for mobile devices and to have provisions on exposure measurements about fixed installations.
Highlights
AND BACKGROUNDThere has been ongoing concern about the possibility of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), such as those emitted by wireless communication devices and networks in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 300 GHz
This study suggests that countries with higher mobile subscriptions tend to have set radiofrequency exposure limits for mobile devices and to have provisions on exposure measurements about fixed installations
There is scientific evidence of demonstrable acute effects from high levels of exposure, and many countries have developed safety policies based on the exposure limits proposed by the International Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to prevent such effects(1 – 3)
Summary
There has been ongoing concern about the possibility of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), such as those emitted by wireless communication devices and networks in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 300 GHz. There is scientific evidence of demonstrable acute effects (heating) from high levels of exposure, and many countries have developed safety policies based on the exposure limits proposed by the International Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to prevent such effects(1 – 3). There is no international consensus regarding effects of such exposure. In this setting, countries have adopted risk management policies with a variety of national exposure limits reflecting a mix of influences, including scientific evidence, precautionary approaches and local politics
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