1. ITU-T SG5 activities on EMF
ITU-T Workshop on Delivering Good Quality Telecommunication Service in a Safe Environment in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya, 26 July – 27 July 2010 )
ITU-T SG5 activities on EMF
Ahmed ZEDDAM,
ITU-T SG5 Chair
France Telecom Orange
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27July 2010

2. Structure and Mandate of ITU-T/SG5 Objective of ITU-T/SG5
Outline
Structure and Mandate of ITU-T/SG5
Objective of ITU-T/SG5
Q3/5 : Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment
Main tasks & Responsibility
Recommendations under the scope of Q3
Resolution 72 of ITU-T
Conclusion
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

3. Structure of ITU-T SG5 ITU-T SG5 WP2/5 WP3/5 WP1/5
“Environment and climate change ”
Q.14 Terminology
WP1/5
Damage prevention and safety
WP2/5
Electromagnetic fields: emission, immunity and human exposure
WP3/5
ICT and climate change
Study Group 5 has two working parties.
WP1 studies protection of telecommunication systems and telecommunication personnel and users of telecommunication networks from lightning, induction from power lines.
WP2 studies emission, immunity and security of telecommunication systems.
EMC issues dealing with home networks are studied in Question 8.
Also, it is necessary to include studies about protection from lightning and power line induction. The earthing system is essential for the countermeasure for the protection from lighting.
These aspects are studied with relevant questions such as Q.4 and 6 and in WP1.
7 Questions
5 Questions
7 Questions
Question 3/5
Human exposure to EMFs
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

4. SG 5 Keywords WP 1/5 WP 2/5 WP 3/5 Equipment Resistibility
Lightning protection
Earthing & Bonding
Electromagnetic interference from power and traction systems
Safety
WP 2/5
Human exposure to e.m. fields
EMC
Emission
Immunity
Electromagnetic security
WP 3/5
ICT & climate change
Methodology
Power feeding systems
Energy efficiency
Environmental protection, recycling
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

5. Study Group 5 is responsible for :
SG 5 Mandate
Study Group 5 is responsible for :
Studies relating to protection of telecommunication networks and equipment from interference and lightning;
Studies relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), to safety and to health effects connected with electromagnetic fields produced by telecommunication installations and devices, including cellular phones ;
Studies on the existing copper network outside plant and related indoor installations.
Studies on ICT & Climate Change
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

6. Meaning of the Mandate: Example
Study Electromagnetic Phenomena which can cause damages or disturbances to telecommunication installation or injury to people (telecommunication personnel and service users) or health effect to population
MDF
Switching
equipment
Subscriber premises
Remote site
Telecommunication centre
Lightning
Power line
Telecom line
Mobile phone
Radio
station
ICT Impact on environment
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

7. Objective
Study environmental issues to define PROTECTIVE MEASURES, INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES & METHODOLOGIES by means :
Recommendations: K & L-series
Directives
Handbooks
Lightning Handbook, Earthing Handbook
Measuring Handbook, Mitigation Handbook
Handbooks on ICT & Climate change
Recommendations for limiting the RISK of :
Damages to telecommunication installation and equipment
Disturbances to and from telecommunication systems
Injury to people : Safety & Human exposure to e.m. fields (EMF) produced by telecommunication installations (Q3/5)
Recommendations on :
Methodologies for evaluating the ICT effects on climate change,
Energy efficiency of the power feeding systems
Methodologies to reduce environmental effects such as recycling
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

8. ITU-T SG5
Question 3/5
"Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment"
Rapporteur: Fryderyk Lewicki (Poland)
Associate Rapporteur: Tariq Alamri (Saudi Arabia)
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

9. Main tasks & Responsibility
Assignment of the exposure limits considered as safe for people - Medical bodies responsibility: WHO, ICNIRP, National medical authorities
Standards for evaluation and measurement of exposure level - IEC, CENELEC, COST 281, National standardization committees
Best practice, Implementation and guidance on telecommunication installations - ITU-T SG5
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

10. ITU-T Study Group 5
Question 3/5 : Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to radio systems and mobile equipment
 Guidance for the telecommunication sector
 Collaboration with other standardization bodies (IEC, CENELEC, WHO) in order to avoid duplication of work
 Support to developing countries – Resolution 72
Provide high level framework for managing the human exposure to EMFs (regulatory practices) emitted by the telecommunication equipment
Provide guidelines for the assessment of human exposure based on the existing standards and commendations
Activities specified in WTSA-08 Resolution 72 in order to assist developing countries in human exposure assessment.
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

11. History of Study on EMF in ITU-T
New Question on EMF has started on 1996 and studying for 3 periods (12 years).
Three Recommendations have established and revised since then :
K.52: Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields  
K.61: Guidance on measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations
K.70: Mitigation techniques to limit human exposure to EMFs in the vicinity of radiocommunication stations
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

12. ITU-T Recommendations related to human exposure to E.M. fields
ITU-T Recommendations K.52 and K.61
guidance on complying with safety limits for human exposure to e.m. fields from a telecommunication installation or mobile handset
adopts a step-by-step approach to determine an exceedance zone (within which field exceeds reference limits)
compliance achieved if exceedance zone is not accessible to personnel under normal conditions
ITU-T Recommendation K.70
Mitigation Techniques to limit human exposure to EM fields in the vicinity of radiocommunication stations
Software provided that implements methodology
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

13. ITU Recommendations related to human exposure
E.M Radiation from a
telecommunication installation
E.M. Safety Limits
Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698
ITU-T Recommendation K.52
ITU-T Recommendation K.61
ITU-T Recommendation K.70
Assessment of hazard and need
for precautionary measures
Mitigation Techniques to limit human exposure
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

14. WTSA 08: Resolution 72
"Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields"
Recognizing that some publications about EMF effects on health create doubt among the population, in particular in developing countries
Resolves to invite ITU-T, in particular Study Group 5, to expand and accelerate its work and support
Invites to contribute actively to the work of Study Group 5 in providing relevant and timely information in order to assist developing countries in providing information and addressing measurement concerns related to RF exposure
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

15. WTSA 08: Resolution 72
"Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields"
 Recommendation ITU-T K.guide will be written with Resolution 72 taken into account
with big parts concerning EMF measurement
with many examples
with comparison measurement/calculation
 Examples of action in accordance with Resolution 72
Technical session on EMF during SG5 meeting (May 2009)
Workshop on EMF
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

16. ITU-T Recommendation K.guide
"Guidance on how to manage human exposure to EMF’s"
Guidance on how to handle the problem of the human exposure assessment in order to help the user to apply existing standards
Procedures how to evaluate exposure
by measurement
by calculations
Procedures how to show the compliance with exposure limits
This Recommendation will be written in the possibly simple way and will be easy to understand
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

17.  Concerning human exposure to EMF:
Conclusion (1)
 Concerning human exposure to EMF:
ITU-T SG5 takes part in standardization by preparing Recommendations, which give appropriate guidance for administrations and telecommunication operators and supports developing countries (Resolution 72)
ITU-T activity is complementary to the works carried out in other international standardization bodies involved in this subject - there is no duplication of work
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

18. Conclusion (2) Guide to the use of ITU-TSG5 publications
All the SG5 activities are reported in our web site:
The vast majority of all Recommendations are available in electronic (PDF) form free of charge
For a complete picture of SG 5 Publications:
Guide to the use of ITU-TSG5 publications
The document is aimed at telecommunications equipment designers and operators and will also be very helpful for users in developing countries
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010

19. Thank you
Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010