From 2007 to 2013 ARPANSA coordinated a survey of environmental radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) levels arising from mobile phone base station antennas.
The purpose of this survey was to confirm that the highest levels of measured RF EME produced by these antennas was within the limits set by the ARPANSA radiofrequency exposure standard RPS3 and consistent with the predictions made in the Environmental EME Report relevant to that installation.
The limits in the ARPANSA Standard have been determined on the basis of established health effects and include safety margins. They are designed to protect all members of the public including those sometimes thought to be particularly vulnerable (the elderly, the infirm, pregnant women and children).
ARPANSA selected measurement sites to cover the wide range of network operators, technologies, geography and type of installations.
Measurements of the vast scale required for this survey were made possible with financial support from the Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF), a division of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA). However, to maintain independence, the measurements were conducted by consultants from companies appointed by ARPANSA and accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). The data were obtained following the established ARPANSA measurement protocol.
The table below summarises the measurements covered by the survey and shows the levels of RF EME as a percentage of the public exposure limit set in the ARPANSA radiofrequency exposure standard. All measurements in this survey were well below the limits in the ARPANSA Standard. Further, the measurements were generally below the levels reported in the Environmental EME report.
