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 The issue… The electromagnetic fields are unknown and undetectable for people… There is a clear lack of communication and information to citizens… In some countries, there is lack of regulation and/or non-compliance... The electromagnetic fields are unknown and undetectable for people… There is a clear lack of communication and information to citizens… In some countries, there is lack of regulation and/or non-compliance... It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear… The electromagnetic fields are unknown and undetectable for people… Lack of communication and information to citizens… Lack of regulation and/or non-compliance...

Committed to connecting the world 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

Committed to connecting the world 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)

Committed to connecting the world How can global standards help…  Facilitate compliance with international standards  Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders  Ensure transparency  Enhance communication with citizens

Committed to connecting the world ITU-T Study Group 5 WP1/5 Damage prevention and safety WP2/5 Electromagnetic fields: emission, immunity and human exposure WP3/5 ICT and climate change 5 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

Committed to connecting the world 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

Committed to connecting the world 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

Committed to connecting the world Typical EMF assessment Safety  EMF compliance at sites  Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) for workers and public Environmental  Radio signals in the community  Educational & informative

Committed to connecting the world 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?

Committed to connecting the world  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

Committed to connecting the world  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

Committed to connecting the world  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

Committed to connecting the world  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 Highlights on deliverables - continued

Committed to connecting the world  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. Highlights on deliverables - continued

Committed to connecting the world  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. Highlights on deliverables - continued

Committed to connecting the world  Application on EMF Guide  provides information on EMF in a user friendly manner – available for smartphones, 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

Committed to connecting the world EMF flyer and website

Committed to connecting the world EMF Safety  Important to assess EMF compliance at sites  Important to establish Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) procedures Environmental  Educational and informative  Calculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed Effective Public Communications Purpose of ITU-T’s activities

Committed to connecting the world 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

Committed to connecting the world Forthcoming events  Meeting of ITU-T SG5 Working Party 1 and Working Party July 2014, Geneva, Switzerland  Forum on "EMF - What does it really mean?“ 4 September 2014, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  4 th ITU Green Standards Week September 2014, Beijing, China

Committed to connecting the world 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 EMF itu.int/go/emfs THANK YOU!