jack rowley - levels of exposure in mobile networks

© GSM Association 2013

J. Rowley, August 2013

Levels of Exposure in Mobile Networks

Jack Rowley, PhD,

Senior Director Research & Sustainability

GSM Association

Forum “National Non-Ionizing Radiation, Health and Infrastructure Deployment”,

Colombia

August 2013

1



More use of internet and more use indoors

ITU, 2012; OFCOM, 2012

120x more data

than feature phone79% indoor usage

2



Phones need antenna sites

� Low power devices.

� Extend battery life.

� Less interference.

� Adaptive power control.

3



The antenna transmits radio signals

Signals directed outwards and not directly downwards.

4



Exposure reduces rapidly as distance increases

Worker limit

Public limit

Small fraction of limit

5



Antennas not accessible

Simplified evaluation.

6



Compliance boundaries

Compliance

Boundary

Worker

ComplianceBoundary

Public

Assess zones.

Manage access.

Signage.

7



Environmental levels from mobile network antennas

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.13

8



Exposure similar for all countries

Global average more than 5,500 times below limit values.

Based on Rowley and Joyner, 2012

1000

100

10

1

0.1

0.00000001

0.0000001

0.00001

0.0001

0.010.001

0.01

Country (points)

Mic

ro

watt

s p

er s

qu

are c

en

tim

etr

e

9



0

Average

urban, TV and

radio

Baby monitors

(20 cm)

Average

urban, base

stations

WLAN access

point (20 cm)

DECT cordless

phone (20 cm)

Mobile network exposure levels similar to other radio

sources

Based on Valberg et al., 2007.

10



Time trends – 5 countries

No significant change in RF exposure since introduction of 3G

Based on Rowley and Joyner, 2012

11



Many types of antenna sites

12



Exposures similar from different site types

Adapted from Figure 2 of Bornkessel et al, 2007

Rural Urban In-building

system

Rooftop,

building

below

13



Small daily variation in radio signal levels

ICNIRP

<<1%

Joseph et al, BEMS, June 2010

� Small variation

due to traffic

activity.

� Sample audit

measurements to

build trust.

� Benefits of

continuous

monitors should

be independently

evaluated.

14



Summary – mobile network exposure levels

� Typically far below

international

recommendations.

� All mobile technologies

produce similar exposure.

� Similar to other sources of

radio signals.

� Little change in exposure

since the introduction of 3G.

15



Established Risk

http://www.michellehenry.fr/tel.htm

16



Muchas Gracias

� Contact: Dr Jack Rowley

� Job title: Senior Director

Research & Sustainability

� email address:

[email protected]

� Global:

www.gsma.com/health

� Latin America

www.gsma.com/latinamerica/

gsma-latin-america-es/salud-

y-moviles

17



More antennas does not mean more exposure

Bornkessel, RF Exposure Measurement Campaigns -Between Pure Facts and Practical Risk Communication inElectromagnetic Field Exposure: Risk Communication in the context of Uncertainty, 2006.

The number of visible base stations does not significantly influence RF exposure level.

ele

ctr

ic f

ield

str

en

gth

in

% o

f li

mit

18



RF exposure evaluation

� Near to antennas:

– Compliance zones.

– Access controls.

� Far from antennas:

– Very low exposures.

– Communication.

19



Mobile networks evolve in response to customer

demand

� More base stations to provide:

– More coverage.

– More capacity.

– Higher data rates.

� Potential public concern.Cisco

20



Evolution of mobile technologies

Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2013

today

21



Ground level: closer does not mean higher exposure

Source: Adapted from Neubauer et al, Study on the Feasibility of Epidemiological Studies on Health Effects of Mobile Telephone BaseStations, ARC-IT—0124, March 2005.

For example, at 100 m, the measured levels differ by more than 1,000 times.

ICNIRP

jack rowley - levels of exposure in mobile networks

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