Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27July 2010 Kenyas Experience in the Measurement of EMF James Chumba, Senior Radiation Protection Officer, Radiation Protection Board - Kenya ITU-T Workshop on Delivering Good Quality Telecommunication Service in a Safe Environment in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya, 26 July – 27 July 2010 )

Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July Contents Radiation Protection Board Memorandum of Understanding with CCK (MoU) Technical Working Committee (TWC) NIR Installations Inspections Effects of EMF Way forward

Radiation Protection Board National competent authority, established by Parliament on matters of radiation protections services, security of radioactive and nuclear materials, control of consumer goods and the environment, contaminated with radioactivity, radioactive waste management, emerging issues in telecommunication radiation exposure to the population, and the actual registration and licensing of radiation facilities and workers as defined in the Act Regulates Ionizing Radiation. Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

Radiation Protection Board The increased presence of mobile systems and devices has raised public interest in possible health issues associated with exposure to electromagnetic emissions. People are concerned about possible harmful emissions from mobile phone handsets and base stations.Desirable that Non Ionizing Radiation (NIR) evaluation be undertaken on Radio frequency stations that radiate high power especially when such stations are located near residential areas, commercial areas with large populations or even areas that are routinely accessible to the public. Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

MoU Initiative by the Board and CCK to educate the public while carrying out a thorough evaluation of existing infrastructure to ensure their safety Kenya has neither standards for RF exposure nor an enforcing agency for such standardsSigned on 19 th January, Established joint collaborative efforts between CCK and RPB on measurement and monitoring of radiofrequency radiation exposure at communications facilities Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

Technical Working Committee (TWC) Initially had representation from bothParties, but other Regulatory bodieshave been incorporatedHas the below ToRs: Develop and periodically review work plans for approval by the parties.Identify resources required to undertakeactivities under these terms of referencePropose a budget based on the activitiesof the committee. Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

ToRs (continuation) Propose sources of funds.Implement the work plan which includes but notlimited to carrying out measurements andinspection of communication and other NIRfacilities in Kenya.Develop processes and procedures for inspections.Develop appropriate templates and documentationrequired for all processesSubmit inspection reports to the parties inaccordance with the MoU.Identify training requirements for the appropriatepersonnelAdvise the parties on emerging NIR technologies Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

NIR Installations Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July Wireless infrastructure such as base stations,relay stations and support systems such as powersuppliesMobile telephony has been critical in boostingaccess to telecommunications in Africa and hashelped substantially lift numbers oftelecommunications users.Mobile operators have rolled out quite extensivelyin Kenya raising concerns by the members of thePublic on the safety of these installations - BTSsIndustry players have developed a Code ofpractice for the deployment of communicationsInfrastructure in Kenya, currently in force

Inspections Objective of a survey is to determinewhether the device or installation complieswith recommended standards ofperformance and personnel exposure,Assess the effect of the location of thedevice with respect to controlled anduncontrolled areas in the environment.Common meters used Narda Radiation Hazard Meter (RAHAM, 3MHz to18Ghz), Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

Inspections Spectran Spectrum analyzer.This meter was mainly utilized for carrying out both spatial and time averaged measurements within the given frequency range. Has a HyperLOG antenna model 7060 with a frequency range 30 MHz to 6 GHz. For every site, data collected include physical location, antenna type, radiation pattern, tilt, height above ground, azimuth and coordinates and digital photos All measurements are expressed in milli-watts per square meter ( mW/m² ) and compared with the ICINRP limits Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

Effects of EMF The RF energy is a non-ionizing radiation like thevisible light, infrared radiation and other forms ofelectromagnetic radiation with relatively lowfrequencies. Do not have sufficient energy toionize biological material like other types ofelectromagnetic radiationThe only proven biological effects from exposureto RF energy result from heating of tissue by RFenergy and are often referred to as "thermal"effects.Exposure to very high levels of RF radiation can beharmful due rapid heating of biological tissue andthe body's inability to cope with or dissipate theexcessive heat that is generated. Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July

Way forward Regulatory -The Radiation Act, beingrevised to incorporate NIR issues,Sensitive all stakeholders on thealready developed Code,Continue with the NIR measurementexercise Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July