Email from OFCOM regarding EMF and ICNIRP

Have you received an email from OFCOM and have questions regarding EMF and ICNIRP?  DTS.Solutions (U.K) Ltd manage the OFCOM licences for a vast number of Two-way Radio users in the UK and thought the following information may help clarify the content of OFCOM’s email.

ICNIRP are the international body responsible for issuing guidance on safe exposure and protection from non-ionising radiation.  ICNIRP stands for the International Committee for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.

Keeping it simple and as non-technical as possible, there are 2 types of radiation.

The dangerous stuff.  Particle or Electromagnetic wave, powerful enough to change the structure and strip electrons from molecules, causing them to be ionised.  Gamma Rays, X-Rays, ultraviolet are all classed as Ionising radiation.

Lower UV, Visible Light, Microwave, Radio Waves. Typically, non-ionising radiation does not carry enough energy to cause molecular damage. However, at sufficient power levels or proximity to the radiation source, they may cause heating effects due to the molecules becoming electronically excited. Long term exposure to these levels of non-ionising radiation can cause permanent damage in the form of cancers and other cellular disorders. Therefore, we at DTS.Solutions (U.K) Ltd commend the work carried out by ICNIRP.

The issue of non-ionising Radiation has arisen because of the vast amount of conspiracy theories surrounding 5G and possible adverse health effects. The OFCOM website itself states:

‘We are aware of theories being shared online and on social media claiming that 5G technology is connected to, or responsible for, the COVID-19 pandemic. These claims are wrong; there is no scientific basis or credible evidence for them.

Public Health England says that “there is no plausible mechanism that would explain any such a relationship” between 5G mobile and coronavirus.’

At DTS Solutions we take the safety of our service users seriously. Our team of Systems Engineers are all aware of the possible damage that can be caused by non-ionising radiation at high power levels. We use OFCOM’s EMF Calculator when designing a radio system. By using this tool, DTS ensure that we maintain safe separation between the equipment and members of the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having received an email from OFCOM, we would like to assure you that you don’t have to do anything at this time. OFCOM are consulting with interested parties, including the Federation of Communications Services, of which DTS.Solutions (U.K) Ltd are members. Ofcom will publish their decision on the 18^th May 2021. If you need any further information in the meantime, please email your request to Amanda@dts.solutions.

• Public Health England – Mobile phone base stations: radio waves and health
• Public Health England – Radio waves: reducing exposure from mobile phones
• Public Health England – 5G technologies: radio waves and health
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Electromagnetic Fields
• WHO – Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones
• WHO – Electromagnetic fields and public health: base stations and wireless technologies
• ICNIRP Guidelines (1998) for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz), Health Physics Vol. 74, No 4, pp 494-522, 1998
• ICNIRP Guidelines (2020) for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz)
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the HSE regulates work that causes or could cause EMF exposure of workers or the public and has published information which covers matters relating to mobile phone technology.