A series of animal studies on mobile phone radiofrequency (RF) radiation and health have been conducted over two years by the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program (NTP).

The animal studies were to investigate whether exposure to RF radiation from mobile phones causes any health effects, including cancer.

The studies exposed rats and mice to RF radiation at the same frequencies used by mobile phones. The rats and mice were exposed to levels of 0, 3, 6 or 9 W/kg for up to 9 hours at a time.

Australian mobile phone exposure level limits are set at 2 W/kg, however most mobile phones have lower exposure levels.

Partial findings from the NTP studies were published in May 2016 and ARPANSA reported on those results in the May 2016 Radiation Literature Survey.

Two draft technical reports have been published by the NTP on the full results of the study, and will undergo external peer review by an expert panel during March 2018.

ARPANSA will assess the NTP results and provide advice following the expert panel review.

We publish information about mobile phones and health. A large number of studies have been performed to investigate whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. It is the assessment of ARPANSA and other national and international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), that there is no established scientific evidence that the use of mobile phones causes any health effects. However the possibility of harm cannot be completely ruled out.

Read more: ARPANSA reviews animal study on radiofrequency exposure and health

3 June 2019

ARPANSA is aware that there is a lot of concerning misinformation circulating throughout the community about the possible impacts of Australia’s planned roll-out of the 5G mobile network.

Contrary to some claims, there are no established health effects from the radio waves that the 5G network uses.

This network currently runs on radio waves similar to those used in the current 4G network, and in the future will use radio waves with higher frequencies. It is important to note that higher frequencies does not mean higher or more intense exposure. Higher frequency radio waves are already used in security screening units at airports, police radar guns to check speed, remote sensors and in medicine and these uses have been thoroughly tested and found to have no negative impacts on human health.

ARPANSA is an agency of the Commonwealth Government tasked with protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. Our scientists conduct research and work with the international radiation science community to set standards and guidelines on radiation in Australia. We work independently from other parts of government and are not funded by industry.

The regulator for the roll-out of 5G is the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). ACMA refers to the safety standards and guidelines published by ARPANSA when considering applications for licencing and implementation of new technology.

You may be aware of individuals who have experienced health problems that they believe may be attributed to exposure to radio waves.

ARPANSA and the World Health Organization (WHO) are not aware of any well-conducted scientific investigations where health symptoms were confirmed as a result of radio wave exposure in the everyday environment.

While ARPANSA acknowledges that the health symptoms experienced by the affected individuals are real and can be a disabling problem, the established science is that there is no clear diagnostic criteria and there is a lack of evidence that exposure to radio waves is the cause. ARPANSA advises those affected to seek individual medical advice on their symptoms from a qualified medical professional.

We urge you to be cautious of claims from anti-5G campaigns. These campaigns are generating unfounded fear and concern within the community. We have seen increasing misinformation about health effects, our role, and 5G or radio waves generally.

Read more: 5G: the new generation of the mobile phone network and health

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19 March 2019

Mobile phone networks and other wireless telecommunications sources emit low-level radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) and some members of the public have some concerns of adverse health effects. Of particular concern is the new generation of the mobile phone network called ‘5G’.

Although the 5G mobile phone network is new, limits set in safety standards, our understanding of the evidence of health effects and the need for more research have not changed. Why?

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) safety standard sets limits for exposure to RF EME. These limits are set well below levels at which harm to people may occur. The operating frequencies of the 5G network are included within the limits set by the ARPANSA safety standard. 5G infrastructure and devices emitting RF EME are regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and emissions are required to comply with the limits of the ARPANSA safety standard. 

At exposure levels below the limits set within the ARPANSA safety standard, it is the assessment of ARPANSA and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation (ICNIRP) that there is no established scientific evidence to support any adverse health effects from very low RF EME exposures to populations or individuals. 

Dr Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director of ARPANSA’s Assessment and Advice Section is an expert on how radiation affects the human body. He explains that: ‘5G is the 5th generation of telecommunication infrastructure which provides connectivity over a wide range of frequencies to mobile phones and other devices on the wireless network.’

Dr Karipidis details that the 5G network will ‘initially use frequencies in the current mobile phone network, then move to higher frequencies where the depth of RF EME penetration into human tissue is short.’
 
‘Consequently, this energy is absorbed mostly within the skin where surface heating is the predominant effect. At these higher 5G frequencies, the limits in the ARPANSA safety standard are set to prevent excessive heating at the surface of the skin and the eye.’

‘In our community today there are a range of devices and applications that utilise higher frequencies, for example security screening units at airports, police radar guns to check speed, remote sensors and in medicine.’ 

Dr Karipidis mentions that no health effects are expected from radio frequency exposures below the limits set in the ARPANSA standard. ‘However it is important to continue the research in order to reassure the Australian population. ARPANSA therefore has made recommendations for areas where we can build on the body of knowledge. The recommendations include research for frequencies above 6 GHz and for emerging technologies that use them like 5G.'

‘ARPANSA will continue to review the available research on 5G and other upcoming technologies in order to provide advice to the Australian people,’ Dr Karipidis says.

Read more: Misinformation about Australia’s 5G network

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Part of ARPANSA’s role is the regulation of all Commonwealth entities that use radiation. Regulation ensures compliance with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and associated Regulations (2018) and is supported by a series of regulatory guides.

Our new Radiation Incident Site Preservation guide sets out the regulatory expectations for preserving a site following a radiation safety or security incident.

The document provides guidance for licence holders, on and off-site first responders, local authorities, and others who may have a role in the event of a radiation or work health and safety incident.

The new guide outlines expectations for incident management to ensure safe, secure, effective and efficient operations where radiation exposure or contamination is known or suspected to be present.

Effective incident management is important to effective regulation as collection and preservation of information is integral to post-incident investigation, site clean-up and ensuring learnings from past incidents are understood to avoid future occurrences.

This new guide sets expectations and best practice for site preservation only and does not attempt to inform on recovery or response procedures. Those aspects of incident management are expected to be developed at the local level and be unique to the licence holder’s conduct or dealings.

The new guide is part of our collection of Regulatory guides.

In December 2018, the British Medical Journal Open published a scientific study led by ARPANSA investigating the relationship between brain cancer and mobile phone use.

The study was conducted in partnership with the University of Auckland, Monash University and the University of Wollongong, and looked at brain cancer diagnoses in Australians aged 20-59 between 1982 and 2013. The study found that the wide use of mobile phones in Australia has not increased the rate of brain cancer.

We published a summary of the findings from this study in December 2018.

Since the publication of the original study, the authors have conducted further analysis to assess whether there has been an increase in the rate of brain cancer in Australians aged 60 and over during the same time periods.

‘Our analysis shows that the rate of brain cancer in people in the 60 plus age group follows a similar pattern as the other age groups we looked at’, said author Dr Ken Karipidis.

‘It shows that there has been no increase in brain cancer rates in Australia that can be attributed to mobile phone use’.

The British Medical Journal Open has published a letter outlining the findings from this additional analysis.

This study provides further evidence that there is no link between mobile phone use and brain cancer and makes an important contribution to the body of knowledge on this topic.

Read more: New Australian study finds no link between mobile phone use and brain cancers

We’re pleased to be partnering with the Central Highlands Regional Council to establish Queensland’s fourth location for collection of real time ultraviolet (UV) data.

The planned installation of a UV sensor in Emerald, Queensland adds to our existing network of UV monitoring equipment in 16 locations across Australia and Antarctica.

Real-time monitoring is a vital resource in protecting Australians from the harmful effects of UV radiation. With an increase in the prevalence of deadly skin cancers such as melanoma, it’s important to know when UV reaches dangerous levels.

ARPANSA Scientist Dr Stuart Henderson visited Emerald last week to conduct a site inspection at the council building.

‘We were approached by the Central Highlands Regional Council. They were very keen to become involved in the UV network,’ Dr Henderson said.

‘There are a lot of outdoor workers in the Emerald region and it’s valuable to have real time information about when sun protection is required.’

The sensor to be installed in Emerald detects UV radiation similarly to human skin, producing a UV Index. Sun protection is recommended when the UV Index reaches 3 or above.

The project provides our researchers, and the Bureau of Meteorology, with another dataset on UV radiation to contribute to improvements in UV forecasts as well as providing the public with real-time data for their region.

The sensor will be installed in Emerald in the coming months and we look forward to sharing UV data from the Central Highlands as we work to expand our network.

Access UV levels by the minute through our website and other tools like the SunSmart app.

Read more: New ultraviolet radiation sensor now online

We’re pleased to announce that the newest location in our ultraviolet (UV) radiation monitoring network is now online.

In collaboration with the Central Highlands Regional Council, we have installed a new sensor in Emerald, Queensland, which will provide by-the-minute UV Index for the region.

The sensor detects UV radiation similarly to human skin, producing a UV Index. Sun protection is recommended when the UV Index reaches 3 or above.

ARPANSA scientist Dr Stuart Henderson travelled to Emerald to complete the installation and conduct maintenance training for onsite staff.

‘It’s great to be working with the council on this installation and to have Emerald as part of our network.’

Emerald is the fourth location in Queensland to join our UV monitoring network and the first inland location. The climate in Central Queensland is very different to that of the three coastal regions monitored in the state.

Residents and workers in the Emerald region can now access real-time UV Index information from our website and the SunSmart app. The expansion also provides our researchers and the Bureau of Meteorology with an important dataset of UV radiation to improve knowledge of UV in Australia and internationally.

‘Emerald has a lot of outdoor workers, so having real-time data on UV Index will help the council protect their workers and residents’ said Dr Henderson.

‘We’ve been assessing the data coming through and it is interesting to see that, even during winter, the UV Index has reached a maximum of 6 each day since the installation. This shows how valuable this sensor can be to people locally. It’s a good way to remind everyone to Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses to ensure protection from harmful UV radiation.’

Central Highlands Regional Council CEO Scott Mason said the collaboration was an initiative by council’s staff to work smarter and reinforce messaging of sun safety that people so easily become complacent about.

‘A lot of people in the Central Highlands, including in our organisation, spend significant time working outdoors,’ Mr Mason said.

‘From an employer perspective, we can provide all the appropriate protective equipment for UV exposure, but despite rules and requirements, installing the habit of doing the right thing and being aware of UV risks is not easy.

‘Having access to the data through this collaboration allows us to back our requirements with facts not only for our own employees but people in our communities – and researchers are able to use the data to build compelling models right here in our region.

‘It’s a win-win situation.’

Read more: ARPANSA expands ultraviolet radiation monitoring

ARPANSA collates and publishes an annual report on radiation incidents in Australia. This report is produced with input from various radiation regulators around the country, based on incidents submitted to them and any subsequent investigations they carry out.

ARPANSA regulates Commonwealth entities that use radiation, while state and territory regulators oversee all other radiation use including medical procedures, industrial applications and cosmetic treatments within their region.

The latest Australian Radiation Incident Register Annual Report has recently been featured in the media. The report covers incidents that have occurred in Australia in 2017 (published in December 2018).

The register highlights an increase in reports of radiation incidents with 575 recorded in the 2017 calendar year. We believe this is a positive sign, showing an increase in reporting, rather than increased occurrence, due to greater awareness of the national register amongst regulators and end users. We expect this trend to continue over the next few years as we further develop and promote this register.

Radiation is routinely used across Australia by more than 50 000 licensed users who perform millions of individual tasks each year. The incidents that occur and the resulting outcomes show that radiation use in Australia is generally very safe. However, unexpected events occasionally occur even with strict controls in place.

The vast majority of these incidents (95%) occurred in relation to medical procedures including diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. The largest primary factor was human error, which was found to trigger 69% of incidents. However, incidents typically have a range of contributing factors without which an incident may not have occurred.

The collation and publication of an annual report is an important tool for analysis and education to reduce incidents involving unintentional exposure. In particular, the insights gained from this work can help regulators and users to learn from events that did not happen locally, and mitigate risks to reduce the likelihood and severity of any future incidents.

The Australian Radiation Incident Register annual report covering all 2018 incidents will be published at the end of this year.

This form is to be filled out by the RSO and/or PRMS contact representatives of a centre that no longer requires registration of personal radiation monitors.

We require at least four weeks’ notice to cancel centre registrations. Cancelling within four weeks will incur full payment of monitors if already dispatched.
 

In Australia, skin cancer accounts for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers each year and UV radiation from the sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. With high UV radiation year-round in many parts of Australia, people who regularly work outside face a higher risk of developing cancer from sun exposure.

ARPANSA is proud to have contributed to the Cancer Council’s new resource for people who work outdoors and their employers. Skin cancer and outdoor work— A work health and safety guide provides workers with information and strategies on identifying and managing UV radiation as a workplace hazard.

Adequate sun protection, including regular application of sunscreen, wearing UV-resistant protective clothing and minimising exposure during peak UV periods are essential to protecting workers from the hazard presented by UV exposure from the sun.

The new guide was prepared with technical input from ARPANSA. Dr Rick Tinker, Section Manager, Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA stated, ‘there has been a strong focus on protecting people from the overheating risks related to outdoor work, but not a strong focus on the long term impacts of UV exposure. This resource is vital in helping develop good safety practices within a group that is at higher risk than many sectors of the community.’

The guide includes a sample UV policy, risk assessment template and toolbox resources for workplaces to use as well as clear guidance for individual workers.

‘It’s a great resource for employers, health and safety representatives and all employees who work outdoors’, said Dr Tinker.

Access the guide and other information about sun protection in the workplace on the Cancer Council website.