ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Electromagnetic Radiation Health Complaints Register

• Analysis of EMR Health Complaints Register Data 2006-2007 [PDF 83kb]



• Analysis of EMR Health Complaints Register Data 2005-2006 [PDF 76kb]



• Analysis of EMR Health Complaints Register Data 2004-2005 [PDF 70kb] - [RTF 25kb]



• Analysis of EMR Health Complaints Register Data 2003-2004 [PDF 52kb] - [RTF 18kb]



• See the media release launching the Register



• Get a copy of the standard reporting form (DOC 98kb)

Description of the Register's Purpose and Operation

ARPANSA has commenced Australia’s first centralised Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Health Complaints Register. The Health Complaints Register will collect reports of health concerns related to possible EMR field exposures in the range of 0-300 GHz. The register is not limited to telecommunications equipment like mobile phones and broadcasting transmitters but will also include reports related to sources such as powerlines, induction heaters, microwave ovens and other personal, industrial and scientific EMR producing equipment.

Members of the public who believe they have suffered ill-effects as a result of exposure to EMR can lodge a written complaint to the Register. The agency cannot investigate or attempt to resolve individual complaints, but a standard reporting form allows people to describe the nature of their exposure and any adverse health effects they claim to have experienced. ARPANSA will protect the privacy of complainants.

Relevant data gathered will be used to produce statistical summaries for the public, and the Commonwealth Government, on the nature and level of complaints received. Information could be used by ARPANSA to help identify future areas of research into the effects of electromagnetic fields on people and the environment. Register information may also be disclosed to the National Health and Medical Research Council for its consideration.

The Health Complaints Register honours an undertaking made by the Commonwealth Government in response to recommendations of the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee inquiry into EMR in late 2000. The Committee report was tabled in May 2001. Government Senators considered (p.180): "...that the development of a database of reports of adverse health effects from mobile phones and other sources of radiofrequency radiation would assist researchers in formulating research hypotheses, and contribute to public confidence in measures being adopted to minimise health risks associated with EMR."

The standard reporting form can be downloaded using the link above, or requested from the ARPANSA Secretariat via 03 9433 2211 or (toll-free) on 1800 022 333 during normal business hours.

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