1. 4th ITU Green Standards Week
With ICTs everywhere, how safe is EMF?
Cristina Bueti
Adviser of ITU-T Study Group 5

2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
4th ITU Green Standards Week
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
UN specialized agency for ICTs
unique public/private partnership
Members:
193 Member States (Governments and regulatory bodies)
Over 700 Private Sector (Sector Members and Associates)
Over 63 Academia

3. ITU structure 4th ITU Green Standards Week
Standardization (ITU-T) produces interoperable technical ICT standards
Radiocommunication (ITU-R) coordinates global wireless communication
Development (ITU-D) provides assistance to the un-connected
General Secretariat provides coordination
for the whole organization

4. The ICT revolution 4th ITU Green Standards Week
By end 2014, there will be:
~ 3 billion Internet users,
two-thirds of them coming from the developing world
the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally (5% of these subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world)
mobile-cellular subscriptions will reach almost 7 billion by end 2014
Election of Pope Benedict in 2005 and Election of Pope Francis in 2013.
By end 2014, there will be:
- ~ 3 billion Internet users,
two-thirds of them coming from the developing world
the number of mobile-broadband subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally. Fifty-five per cent of these subscriptions are expected to be in the developing world.
- Mobile-cellular subscriptions will reach almost 7 billion by end 2014
Source: ITU, The World in 2014: ICT Facts and Figures

5. The issue… 4th ITU Green Standards Week
The electromagnetic fields are unknown and
undetectable for people…
Lack of regulation and/or
non-compliance...
Lack of
communication and information to citizens…
It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…

6. Regulation of non-ionizing radiations
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Regulation of non-ionizing radiations
Exposure standards:
Specifications that limit the exposure of people to the Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Emission standards:
Specifications that limit the emission of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the devices

7. How can global standards help…
4th ITU Green Standards Week
How can global standards help…
Facilitate compliance with international standards
Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders
Ensure transparency
Enhance communication with citizens

8. ITU-T Study Group 5 7 Questions WP1/5 Damage prevention and safety
Lead study group for: electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic effects
7 Questions
WP1/5
Damage prevention and safety
WP3/5
ICT and climate change
5 Questions
WP2/5
Electromagnetic fields: emission, immunity and human exposure
6 Questions
Q7/5 Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment 8

9. Question 7/5 4th ITU Green Standards Week
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment
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.

10. Question 7/5 4th ITU Green Standards Week
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio systems and mobile equipment
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.

11. Typical EMF assessment
4th ITU Green Standards Week
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

12. EMF assessment methods Calculations or measurements?
4th ITU Green Standards Week
EMF assessment methods
Calculations or 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
ITU-T Recommendations - guidance on both calculation and measurements

13. ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment
4th ITU Green Standards Week
ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment
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

14. Highlights on deliverables
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables
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.

15. Highlights on deliverables - continued
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables - continued
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, El Salvador and Uruguay).

16. Highlights on deliverables - continued
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables - continued
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

17. Highlights on deliverables - continued
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables - continued
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.

18. Highlights on deliverables - continued
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables - continued
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.

19. Highlights on deliverables - continued
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Highlights on deliverables - continued
Guide on electromagnetic fields and health (​Supplement 1 to Recommendation ITU-T K.91)
answers to typical questions asked by the public on EMF, and to address typical misunderstandings on EMF matters in the society
provides education and information: promoting EMF information and education resources suitable for all communities, stakeholders and governments.
supports clarification of the science: referencing the WHO and other stakeholders providing information most useful in helping clarify scientific uncertainties e.g. in the areas of Radio Frequency technology, infrastructure implementation, usage, and consequential EMF exposure.

20. Deliverables under study
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Deliverables under study
ITU-T K Measurement of radio frequency electromagnetic fields to determine compliance with human exposure limits when a base station is put into service
ITU-T K.env - Guidance on the Environmental Management for Electromagnetic Radiation from Radiocommunication Base Stations
ITU-T K.maps - Maps of the RF EMF

21. 4th ITU Green Standards Week
EMF flyer and website

22. Purpose of ITU-T’s activities
4th ITU Green Standards Week
Purpose of ITU-T’s activities
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 communication

23. ITU-T’s vision 4th ITU Green Standards Week
“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

24. 4th ITU Green Standards Week
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