RF Radiation ExposureRF Radiation ExposureRF Radiation Health and Safety Predicament

Industry GrowthIndustry Growth

Mobile phone use has become an integral part of everyday life.

The wireless telecommunications industry enjoys tremendous popularity, if not dependence upon it.

Consumer demand continues to grow, unabated, for existing and new technologies, products and services.

Facts About The Existing Facts About The Existing TrendTrend

RF radiation transmitting antennas are omnipresent – no longer limited to isolated, remote towers. They are located on rooftops, sides of buildings, utility poles, flag poles, lighting standards, camouflaged and concealed entirely within buildings.

Workers that are compelled to work in proximity to RF radiation transmitters are no longer limited to the wireless industry’s RF trained technicians with protective gear and equipment.

Multitude of other trades are routinely required to work near RF radiation transmitting antennas despite being denied RF safety training and even information relative to the existence and location of RF radiation hazards.

Challenges & PredicamentChallenges & Predicament

Pole attachments (potentially the fastest and least expensive method of expanding networks) are pursued in the hurry-up world of fierce competition that does not always include careful engineering, permission to attach facilities, code compliant construction and maintenance

No national uniform standards exist for mapping and facility documentation

Thorough, ongoing inspections and audits are not consistently and routinely undertaken

No current solution includes the participation of all required stakeholders (i.e., commercial service providers, property owners hosting antenna sites, employers, local governments and the workers, themselves)

Current RF radiation health and safety methodologies lack independence, transparency and validation

The impossibility or impracticality of service providers to have continuous (24/7) knowledge and control of all activities at antenna sites

Mandated collocation of RF radiation transmitting antennas that results in increased aggregate RF radiation emissions, more RF radiation hazards at a site and coordinating power-down among multiple service providers more complex

Locks, fences and restricted access may protect service providers’ and property owners’ physical assets from theft and vandalism, but they do not protect workers who are compelled to enter restricted areas to fulfill their job responsibilities

Signage is often missing, mislabeled, unintelligible and outdated (particularly in an industry where mergers and acquisitions are common)

Third-party workers are generally not provided RF radiation training and are, therefore, largely uninformed of RF radiation emissions and the risks they pose

RF and Microwave RF and Microwave

Electromagnetic wave consists of wave of electric and magnetic energy moving together through space at the speed of light.

Radio waves and microwaves emitted by transmitting antennas are one form of electromagnetic energy. They are collectively referred to as “radio frequency” or RF.

RF Radiation Health and Safety RF Radiation Health and Safety HazardHazard

These wireless transmission sites come with anenvironmental, health and safety hazard:

RF RADIATION

Types of RadiationTypes of Radiation

Ionizing Radiation consists of electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules ionizing them.

Non Ionizing Radiation refers to any type of electromagnetic radiation that does not carry enough energy per quantum to ionize atoms or molecules

Ionizing RadiationIonizing Radiation

Examples of ionizing particles:

Alpha Beta Gamma Neutrons

Alpha (α) radiation consists of a fast moving Helium-4(4He) nuclei and is stopped by a sheet of paper. Beta (β) radiation, consisting of electrons, is halted by an aluminum plate. Gamma (γ) radiation, consisting of energetic photons, is eventually absorbed as it penetrates a dense material. Neutron (n) radiation consists of free neutrons which are blocked using light elements, like hydrogen, which slow and/or capture them

Ionizing Radiation SourceIonizing Radiation Source

Ionizing radiation may be

produced by:

Radioactive Decay Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Particle Accelerators

Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive materials such as:

• X-ray Tubes • Particle Accelerators • Environment - NORM

Non Ionizing RadiationNon Ionizing Radiation

Examples of non-ionizing radiation:

Ultraviolet Visible Light Infrared Microwave Radio waves Low-frequency RF

Health Effects of Ionizing Health Effects of Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Stochastic Health Stochastic Health Effects:Effects:

Stochastic effects are associated with long-term, low-level (chronic) exposure to radiation

Cancer is considered the primary health effect from radiation exposure

Changes in the DNA structure and cell damage

Body fails to repair cell, cell mutations or even creates mutations during repair.

Non-Stochastic Health Non-Stochastic Health Effects:Effects:

Non-stochastic effects

appear in cases of exposure to high levels of radiation, and become more severe as the exposure increases.

• Nausea• Weakness • Hair Loss• Skin Burns• Diminished Organ Function • Premature Aging• Death

Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Ultraviolet RadiationUltraviolet Radiation Eye – Photochemical

cataract

Skin – Erythema, pigmentation

Produces free radicals that induce cellular damage which can be carcinogenic

Induce melanin production from melanocyte cells to cause sun tanning of skin

Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Visible & Infrared LightsVisible & Infrared Lights

Skin - Aging & Burn Eyes - Photochemical &

Thermal Retinal Injury, Cataract, Corneal Burn

Hair – Cauterize Follicles Heating of Body Surface Ionize DNA

Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Microwave andMicrowave andRadio Frequency Radio Frequency

Biological effects:

• Effects on the skin• Effects on the eyes• Thermal effect on the

body

Occupational exposure standards

Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Low Frequency RadiationLow Frequency Radiation

Biological effects:

• Accumulation of charge on body surface

• Effects on the eyes• Disturbance of nerves &

muscle responses

Occupational exposure standards

Health Effects of Non Ionizing Health Effects of Non Ionizing RadiationRadiation

Static FieldsStatic Fields

Biological effects:

• Effects on the skin• Effects on the eyes• Vertigo• Nausea

Occupational exposure standards

Health Risk TableHealth Risk Table

Radiation Source Wavelength Frequency Health Hazards

UVA Black Light, Sunlight 318 nm - 400 nm 750 THz - 950 THzEye – photochemical cataract; Skin – erythema, pigmentation

Visible LightLasers, Sunlight, Fire, LEDs, Light

Bulbs400 nm - 780 nm 385 THz - 750 THz

Skin photo aging; eye – photochemical & thermal retinal

injury

Infrared - A Lasers, Remote Controls 780 nm - 1.4 µm 215 THz - 385 THzEye – thermal retinal injury, thermal

cataract; skin burn

Infrared - BLasers, Long-distance Telecommunications

1.4 µm - 3 µm 100 THz - 215 THzEye – corneal burn, cataract; skin

burn

Infrared - C Far-infrared Laser 3 µm - 1 mm 300 GHz - 100 THzEye – corneal burn, cataract;

heating of body surface

MicrowavePCS Phones, Mobile/cell Phones,

Microwave Ovens, Cordless Phones, Motion Detectors, Radars, Wi-Fi

1 mm - 33 cm 1 GHz - 300 GHz Heating of body tissue

Radio FrequencyMobile/cell phones, Television, FM,

AM, Shortwave, CB, Cordless Phones

33 cm - 3 km 100 kHz - 1 GHzHeating of body tissue, raised body

temperature

Low Frequency Power Lines > 3 km < 100 kHzCumulating of charge on body surface; disturbance of nerve &

muscle responses

Static Field Strong Magnets, MRI Infinite 0 Hz Magnetic – vertigo/nausea

What Can We Do To Protect Our What Can We Do To Protect Our SelvesSelves

All RF radiation signs should be observed to the extent possible.

Workers should receive some RF radiation training and awareness to permit them to minimally identify the existence and location of an RF transmission source.

Worker should request and obtain power-down before beginning his work.

Authorities should implement a patented National RF Radiation Safety protocol that will ensure workers have the necessary training, certification and dynamic site specific safety information to protect themselves from RF radiation.