ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Invitation to Make Submissions - Draft Radiation Protection Standard for Exposure Limits to Electric and Magnetic Fields 0 Hz - 3 kHz

7 December 2006

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency is inviting submissions on the Draft Radiation Protection Standard for Exposure Limits to Electric and Magnetic Fields 0 Hz - 3 kHz.

The Standard specifies limits of human exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields in the frequency range 0 Hz to 3 kHz, to prevent adverse health outcomes. These limits are defined in terms of Basic Restrictions for exposure of all or a part of the human body. Reference Levels are also provided as a practical means of showing compliance with the Basic Restrictions. In particular, the Standard specifies Basic Restrictions for occupational exposure and general public exposure with corresponding derived Reference Levels as a function of frequency. The Standard also includes Schedules and Annexes providing a detailed rationale, and literature reviews of epidemiological research and studies on low level effects, along with information on precautionary approaches to exposure to ELF fields.

Comments are particularly sought on the proposed Basic Restrictions, the adoption of the precautionary principle and discussion of its application in relation to the epidemiological evidence on childhood leukaemia.

This Standard, when finalised, will replace the NHMRC publication, Radiation Health Series No. 30, Interim guidelines on limits of exposure to 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields (1989).

The draft publication was developed by a working group of the Radiation Health Committee, as part of the Committee’s role in formulating draft national policies, codes and standards for consideration by the Commonwealth, States and the Territories. A Consultative Group involving a range of stakeholders also contributed to the development of the Standard.

An accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), to meet the requirements of the Principles and Guidelines for National Standard-setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Councils and Standard-setting Bodies published by the Council of Australian Governments in June 2004, has also been released. The statement analyses the costs and benefits of three options; the status quo (or leaving the existing 1989 Interim Guidelines in place); regulatory adoption of the Standard; or publishing the Standard without incorporating it into regulation. Comment is particularly sought from stakeholders on the compliance costs identified in the Regulatory Impact Statement.

The following documents provide essential information to assist public submissions:

• Invitation to Comment (PDF 24kb)
• Draft Radiation Protection Standard for Exposure to Electric and Magnetic fields 0 Hz - 3 kHz (PDF 906kb)
• Regulatory Impact Statement Consultation Draft (PDF 222kb)

Supporting documentation to assist the consultation process:

• Media Release - 7 December 2006
• Summary: Childhood Leukemia and 50 Hz Magnetic Fields (PDF 46kb)
  (Summary of Childhood Leukaemia paper (a simplified description of the issue).
• Childhood Leukaemia and 50 Hz Magnetic Fields (PDF 67kb)
  (Includes information on types of leukemia and references to relevant scientific articles).
• Strategies to Reduce Magnetic Field Exposure (Mitigation) (PDF 40kb)
• Questions and Answers - 7 December 2006 (PDF 48kb)
  (This paper will be updated throughout the consultation period should additional questions arise).

Requests for hardcopies can be made by email to secretariat@arpansa.gov.au or by telephoning (03) 9433 2339.

Public submissions should be forwarded before 28 February 2007 and addressed to:

Mr Alan Melbourne
Manager
Standards Development and Committee Support Section
ARPANSA
619 Lower Plenty Road
Yallambie VIC 3085

Or by email to: secretariat@arpansa.gov.au (Electronic submissions are preferred)

All submissions will be held in a register of submissions, and unless marked confidential, may be made public.

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