ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Measurement Averaging Considerations On Appropriate Specification Of Exposure Limits For Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

Exposure limits for far field exposure to microwave radiation vary depending on the frequency of radiation. At frequencies below 10 GHz relatively large "hot spots" are formed and the heat load on the whole body is generally the major constraining factor. A measurement averaging time of around six minutes is quite adequate. At higher frequencies, absorption of RF energy is restricted to relatively small volumes of tissue near to the surface of the body. In such circumstances, heating can be quite rapid and progressively shorter measurement averaging times are required. This document discusses the effect of frequency on measurement averaging times.

Measurement Averaging Considerations On Appropriate Specification Of Exposure Limits For Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (PDF 278kb) Top of Page