Analysis of EMR Health Complaints Register Data 2016–2017
ARPANSA commenced Australia’s first centralised Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Health Complaints Register on 4 July 2003. The Register collects reports of health concerns related to possible EMR field exposures in the range of 0-300 GHz. 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 describing the nature of their exposure and any adverse health effects they claim to have experienced. ARPANSA does not investigate or attempt to resolve individual complaints. Relevant data gathered is used to produce annual statistical summaries on the nature and level of complaints received. The Register operates in strict compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and, as such, personal information on people reporting may not be disclosed.
Reports received
Since its commencement the Register has received 161 reports. The number of reports received for different years is shown below.
| Year | No. of reports |
|---|
| 2003-4 | 24 |
| 2004-5 | 5 |
| 2005-6 | 1 |
| 2006-7 | 7 |
| 2007-8 | 3 |
| 2008-10 | 9 |
| 2010-12 | 6 |
| 2012-13 | 36 |
| 2013-14 | 35 |
| 2014-15 | 22 |
| 2015-16 | 7 |
| 2016-17 | 6 |
EMR sources
The sources of EMR reported during July 2016-June 2017, noting that some reports included more than one EMR source, were:
| EMR source | July 2016-June 2017 | Cumulative |
|---|
| mobile phones | 4 | 43 |
| wireless networks | 3 | 27 |
| household 50Hz electric and magnetic fields | 2 | 36 |
| mobile phone base stations | 2 | 37 |
| smart meter | 2 | 66 |
| cordless phones | 1 | 12 |
| electricity mains box | 1 | 8 |
| solar inverters | 1 | 6 |
Health effects
The top ten health effects reported during July 2016-June 2017, noting that the majority of the reports included more than one health effect, were:
| Health effect | July 2016 - June 2017 | Cumulative |
|---|
| Lethargy | 5 | 38 |
| Insomnia | 3 | 33 |
| Memory loss | 3 | 17 |
| Tinnitus | 3 | 36 |
| Body pain | 2 | 49 |
| Dehydration | 2 | 4 |
| Disorientation | 2 | 13 |
| Headaches | 2 | 83 |
| Nausea | 2 | 29 |
| Poor concentration | 2 | 25 |
Demographics
Age (years)
| | Min | Max | Median |
|---|
| July 2016 – June 2017 | 45 | 66 | 54 |
|---|
| Cumulative | 8 | 88 | 53 |
|---|
Gender (no. of reports)
| | Males | Females | No specified |
|---|
| July 2016 – June 2017 | 45 | 66 | - |
|---|
| Cumulative | 8 | 88 | 4 (3%) |
|---|
State (no. of reports)
| | NSW | Vic | SA | WA | Qld | Tas | ACT | NT |
|---|
| July 2016 – June 2017 | 1(17%) | 3(50%) | - | - | 2(33%) | - | - | - |
|---|
| Cumulative | 39(24%) | 98(61%) | 3(2%) | 6(4%) | 9(6%) | 5(3%) | 1(1%) | - |
|---|
Other
- All of the people reporting during July 2016 – June 2017 were willing to be contacted (33 people in total reporting since the commencement of the register were not willing to be contacted).
- All of the people reporting during July 2016 – June 2017 had seen a medical practitioner about their condition (34 people in total reporting since the commencement of the register had not seen medical practitioner).
