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Electromagnetic Fields and health

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Summary

This Factfile is produced by the IET to provide authoritative information and unbiased advice on the subject of the health risks associated with electromagnetic fields.

What is this Factfile about?Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are inevitably produced by any electrical apparatus. Examples include power lines and cables, electrical appliances, mobile phones and base stations, and TV and radio transmitters. For more than thirty years there have been concerns about health risks from EMFs. Originally, these concerns were mainly about the fields produced by the electric power system that supplies energy for domestic and industrial use, but more recently, the concerns have included mobile phones and other wireless devices as well. The IET has been examining the issue carefully for many years, and has produced this factfile to provide authoritative background information and unbiased advice on the subject. A glossary of some of the specialist terms used in this document is provided at the end of this Factfile.

The IET Working Group on EMFsThe IET first established a working group to review the possible health effects of EMFs in 1992 - the Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group (BEPAG). Since then, BEPAG has produced reports roughly every two years. In 1998 its scope was formally expanded from just power frequencies to include radio frequencies. It operates by identifying all relevant published scientific papers, and assessing and rating those papers in a systematic way. Its members have individual expertise in biology, epidemiology, physics and engineering, and come from industry, academia, hospitals, and regulatory agencies, ensuring that a wide range of scientific views is represented. [They are mandated to advise the IET as experts, independent of the views which may be held by their organisations.]


Electric and magnetic fields are caused wherever electricity is used. Electric fields are produced by voltages and magnetic fields are produced by currents. In other words, electric fields exist around all wires and electrical devices whenever they are connected to a supply of electricity, but magnetic fields are only produced when current flows and hence power is being used. The higher the voltage or greater the current the stronger the field produced. At higher frequencies, the electric and magnetic fields become coupled together in a particular relationship. They are then referred to as electromagnetic waves or radio waves.

The units used to measure these phenomena are described below as are their multipliers and, in theory, any combination of unit and multiplier can be used. As can be seen in the following sections, when describing the levels of field actually encountered, certain combinations are more common than others.

What are electromagnetic fields?

Table of units and multipliers

Units MultipliersV - volts - electrical potential

µ - micro - one millionth

A - amperes - electrical current

m - milli - one thousandth

W - watts - power k - kilo - one thousand

T - tesla - magnetic field

M - mega - one million

Hz - hertz - cycles per second - frequency

G - giga - one thousand million


What different frequencies are there?The electromagnetic spectrum spans a vast range of frequencies. All frequencies less than the ultraviolet are referred to as “non-ionising” because they have insufficient energy to break chemical bonds. Concerns about EMFs and health have focussed largely on two quite separate non-ionising frequency bands. One is 50 or 60 Hz, the frequency of electric power systems. The other is the hundreds of MHz or the GHz range, where mobile phones and other wireless devices operate. For simplicity, this factfile considers these two ranges of frequencies separately from now on.

Power frequencies

� 50 Hz (Europe) or 60 Hz (America) � Separate electric and magnetic fields

because the frequency is low � Electric fields measured in volts per metre

(V/m), magnetic fields measured in tesla (T). In practice, kilovolts per metre (kV/m) and microteslas (µT) are often used

Higher frequencies

� Typically between 0.4 GHz and 5 GHz � Electric and magnetic fields coupled

together as electromagnetic or radio waves � In air their intensity is usually measured in

watts per square metre (W/m2). In practice, milliwatts per square metre (mW/m2) or microwatts per square metre (µW/m2) are often used

� A useful quantity to specify the amount of power absorbed by living tissues is the Specific energy Absorption Rate (SAR), measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg)


Power frequenciesBackground fields in most homes come from low-voltage electric wiring - average values in UK homes are 20 V/m and 0.05 µT.

Higher fields are produced by high-voltage overhead power lines - up to 10 kV/m and 100 µT - and by mains appliances - up to about 200 V/m and 1000 µT. These fields have limited range - a few hundred metres at most for power lines, a metre or so for appliances.

A small but growing amount of transmission in the UK uses Direct Current (DC) instead of 50 Hz. This produces static fields, similar to the earth’s natural fields but localised around the cables.

Where do fields come from?

Mobile-phone and higher frequenciesAll wireless technologies produce fields. This includes mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and many others, as well as broadcast TV and radio and radar, summarised in the spectrum figure. The highest exposures come from mobile phones themselves - these have maximum powers of 2 W and typically produce maximum absorbed powers (SAR) within the head of less than 1.5 W/kg. In normal operation these figures can be substantially lower. SAR from other wireless devices (such as laptop computers) is typically lower, particularly when the antenna is further from your body.

Fields from base stations and other broadcast antennas (such as radio and TV towers) are much smaller and produce absorbed powers typically at least 5000 times lower than from a mobile phone in areas of public access.


The UK, has adopted the exposure limits recommended by the EU. These are based on the guidelines published, with full scientific rationale, by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and are endorsed by the relevant scientific authorities in the UK (e.g. Public Health England (PHE), formerly the Health Protection Agency (HPA)).

Power frequenciesICNIRP advise that if exposures to the public do not exceed 5 kV/m and 100 µT (at 50 Hz), then the basic restriction (a limit of 2 mA/m2 on the current induced in the brain and central nervous system) will not be exceeded.

The limits for occupational exposure are higher, with a basic restriction of 10 mA/m2 and corresponding fields of 10 kV/m and 500 µT. (In 2010, ICNIRP published new guidelines for power frequencies, which the UK may adopt in due course).

What is a safe level?

Higher frequenciesIn the UK based on the ICNIRP guidelines the average power absorbed by the whole body should not exceed 0.08 W/kg (additional restrictions apply to particular parts of the body e.g. 2 W/kg for the head). It is estimated that this will limit temperature rises in the body to fractions of a °C. To achieve this, ICNIRP recommend that the level of electromagnetic field should not exceed about 4.5 W/m2 (900 MHz) or 9 W/m2 (1.8 GHz).

In normal circumstances exposures to the general public at frequencies used by mobile phones and other wireless technologies comply with the basic restrictions recommended by ICNIRP.


Some effects of fields - those at relatively high levels, often called “acute” effects - are well established and well understood. These are described on this page. Other effects have been suggested at much lower fields. There is much less scientific agreement on these effects. They are dealt with in the following section.

Power frequency fieldsThe main effect of these fields is to cause small electric currents to flow in the body. If large enough, the currents could interfere with the action of nerves, particularly in the brain and spinal cord, or even cause stimulation of nerves and muscles. The limits recommended are designed to prevent this happening.

Very high electric fields can also cause “micro-shocks” when a metal object is touched - much as walking across nylon carpet does. These can be annoying but are not in themselves dangerous.

What effect do fields have?

Higher frequency fieldsIf large enough, these fields also induce currents - but because the frequency is higher they cannot stimulate nerves, but can cause heating. ICNIRP exposure guidelines are designed to limit heating in any part of the body to acceptable levels - so that the resultant temperature is no more than 38ºC for most of the body. Taken overall, this heating is similar to that caused by moderate exercise such as a brisk walk or taking a warm bath.


Can they cause cancer?

Power frequenciesFor thirty years, the biggest concern has been that magnetic fields from power lines might cause cancer in general and childhood leukaemia in particular. This concern has been largely driven by epidemiological studies - statistical studies of the patterns of disease and exposure in actual populations. Some epidemiological studies have suggested increases in risk for some cancers.

Such studies can only show patterns of associations, and are not able to establish cause-and-effect. These associations are strongest for childhood leukaemia. But, overall the evidence that magnetic fields cause cancer, even for this disease, is weak, a view endorsed by the PHE and the World Health Organization. One major consideration is that the limited epidemiological evidence has no real support from the majority of laboratory studies that have been performed. Frequently, when a seemingly positive laboratory result is reported, other scientists are unable to reproduce it, casting doubt on all such results. Further, scientists have been unable to demonstrate a plausible biophysical mechanism whereby these effects may occur.

Higher frequenciesThe two biggest areas of public concern are that using a mobile phone may cause brain cancer or other head tumours and that base stations, Wi-Fi networks etc. may cause cancer in exposed children and nearby residents.

Much research into cancer risks in mobile-phone users has been conducted over the last two decades. The largest study, conducted in 13 countries, concluded that its results do not show an increase in brain tumours which could be interpreted as due to mobile phone use, but that the possible effects of long-term heavy use requires further investigation. With respect to base stations, the studies have limitations but do not find evidence that risks of childhood cancer are greater in the vicinity of mobile-phone masts. Studies investigating other, longer established, sources of radio waves such as radar, radio and TV, have not found consistent evidence of health effects.

What effect might lower levels of EMFs have?

And there is no sign that the incidence of cancer is increasing in response to the rapid uptake of wireless technologies, as would be expected if there were a link.

As with power frequencies, scientists have been unable to demonstrate biophysical mechanisms for how the fields may cause cancer. There is some robust laboratory evidence to suggest that radio waves at mobile-phone (and other) frequencies do not cause cancer in animals.

National, and international, investigations into possible health effects are considering all mobile phone technologies - analogue, GSM, CDMA, 3G (W-CDMA), 4G (LTE), TETRA and Wi-Fi. New technologies increasingly feature in the published literature as they become more widespread.


Power frequenciesSome studies have looked at whether fields, lower than those required for induced current effects, might affect the brain. There are some reports that they can, but so far they are not strong enough for a scientific consensus to emerge. There is no suggestion that these subtle effects are in any way harmful.

Higher frequenciesThere have been claims that heavy users of mobile phones experience more headaches, migraines, loss of memory and insomnia. At present it has not been shown that these symptoms are caused by EMFs. Laboratory studies have suggested that subtle changes in brain-wave activity may occur, but whether this has any relevance to health is not clear at present. One thing, however, can be said with certainty: using a mobile phone whilst driving is clearly dangerous and should be avoided as the call may distract your attention from driving safely.

Are some people particularly sensitive?With both frequency bands, some people report a variety of symptoms at quite low field levels, commonly called “hypersensitivity”. The symptoms are undoubtedly real, but careful trials have not shown that they are linked to exposures to the fields.

Can they have other effects on my body?


It may, unfortunately, never be possible to say with certainty that fields are safe. That is not the nature of science, which cannot guarantee that anything is totally safe. Quite properly, on a sensitive public-health issue, and given the results of some epidemiological studies, research continues.

Power frequenciesThere is a broad consensus among the many national and international bodies that have reviewed the evidence (including the Institution): although there is indeed some evidence suggesting a risk, the balance of this evidence is against the fields encountered by the public being a cause of cancer or any other disease.

Should I be worried?

Higher frequenciesThe existing data do not provide persuasive evidence that harmful health effects exist, although some uncertainties remain. In particular, because risks can only be investigated for the time frame that the technologies have been in widespread use, on-going studies are needed to address long-term risks.


Given the uncertainties about whether there are health effects or not, it is understandable that people may wish to reduce their personal exposure “just in case”. The Institution agrees with this approach, although this should only be as a stopgap until research delivers firmer answers one way or the other. But in view of the weakness of the scientific evidence for harmful effects, the Institution considers it would not be justifiable to take any measures that had a significant impact on lifestyle, or that were costly, or that affected the undoubted and major benefits to society of a reliable electricity supply and of widespread mobile communications.

Power frequenciesThe UK has an agreed set of appropriate measures to decrease the exposure of the general public, resulting from a thorough stakeholder process. Many of the measures fall to electricity companies or electricians to implement. If you do want to reduce your own exposure, some of the things which contribute to above average exposures are:

� mains appliances such as clock-radios close to the bed

� electric blankets left on overnight � homes close to high-voltage power lines

How could I reduce my exposure if I wanted to?

Higher frequenciesThe largest source of exposure is a mobile phone handset itself. Hence, if you want to reduce your exposure consider limiting the number and length of calls or using a hands-free kit and keeping the phone away from your body. Information on the SAR of a phone is available at the point of sale, but how the phone is held and the power it needs to transmit to reach the base station is also important. By contrast, base stations, Wi-Fi networks, etc. produce lower exposure levels comparable to or smaller than those from broadcasting antennas such as television or radio.


AdviceGeneral advice on mobile phones is available from a number of Government Departments, for example

� Department of Health: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/DH_4069598

� Department for Education - Teacher Net: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081022182058/http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/other/mobilephones/

Any of the following will be able to give further advice and information on a one-to-one basis:

� PHE telephone 020 7654 8000 � Your local electricity company, via the

National Grid help-line number 0845 702 3270 (they are often willing to perform measurements in your home)

� Most mobile-phone companies have their own help lines

Action GroupsThere are a number of groups concerned with health effects of EMF. The Institution does not endorse or recommend any of these groups but you may decide to contact:

� ElectroSensitivity UK: http://www.es-uk.info/ � EM Radiation Research Trust: http://www.

radiationresearch.org/ � Mast Action UK: http://www.mastactionuk.

com/ � Mast Sanity: http://www.mastsanity.org/ � Power Watch: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk

How can I find out more?

Information

� The World Health Organization provides information through its EMF Project Website at: http://www.who.int/peh-emf

� The current Recommendations of the PHE on public exposure are contained in Documents of the NRPB, volume 15 number 2, 2004: http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/

� Various Reports of the PHE and its independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) are also available from them at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/RadiationAdvisoryGroups/AdvisoryGroupOnNonIonisingRadiation/

� ICNIRP’s Recommendations were published in: Health Physics 1998 volume 74 number 4, pages 494-522: http://www.icnirp.org/

� National Grid, on behalf of the electricity industry, maintain a web site at: http://www.emfs.info

� For mobile phones, the issue is handled by the Mobile Operators Association: http://www.mobilemastinfo.com

� The IET: The reports of the Institution’s BEPAG are available on the Institution’s web site: http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/bioeffects/index.cfm

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/%2B/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthprotection/DH_4069598



http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081022182058/http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/other/mobilephones/




http://www.es-uk.info/

http://www.radiationresearch.org/

http://www.radiationresearch.org/

http://www.mastactionuk.com/

http://www.mastactionuk.com/

http://www.mastsanity.org/

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk

http://www.who.int/peh-emf

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/RadiationAdvisoryGroups/AdvisoryGroupOnNonIonisingRadiation/



http://www.icnirp.org/

http://www.emfs.info

http://www.emfs.info

http://www.mobilemastinfo.com

http://www.mobilemastinfo.com

http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/bioeffects/index.cfm

http://www.theiet.org/factfiles/bioeffects/index.cfm


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Term Abbreviation or Unit

Meaning (context of factfile)

1G The first (obsolete) generation of analogue mobile phone technology.

2G The second generation of mobile phone technology, which is digital and includes GSM and CDMA technologies.

3G The third generation of mobile phone technology which provides high-speed data UMTS transmission and supports multimedia digital applications such as full-motion video and Internet access.

4G The fourth generation of mobile phone technology for efficient wireless broadband services to smart mobile phones and tablets.

Ampere A Physical unit of electrical current.

Analogue signal A signal which is not quantised into discrete digital values; used for the first generation of (non-digital) mobile phone systems.

Antenna Electrical or magnetic device for propagating and sensing an electromagnetic field, sometimes referred to as an aerial.

Base Station A radio transmitter(s) and receiver(s) installed by an operator to provide a communications service typically used in mobile telecommunications (cellular network). Mobile phones rely on the presence of a nearby Base Station, with which they communicate, in order to make or receive calls.

Biophysical Mechanism

Physical mechanism that affects a biological process.

Bit b A bit is the basic unit of digital information in computing and digital communications. A bit can have only one of two values, zero or one, and may therefore be physically implemented with a simple electronic circuit.

Bluetooth This is the protocol used for short range (few metres) wireless Personal Area Networks in the ISM band from 2400-2480MHz for fixed and mobile devices.

Broadband A transmission facility having a capacity sufficient to carry multiple voice, video or data channels simultaneously. Generally used to refer to the delivery of Internet services.

Byte B The byte is a unit of digital information in computing and telecommunications and consists of eight bits.

Cancer Class of diseases in which a biological cell, or a group of cells display uncontrolled growth.

CDMA An abbreviation of Code-Division Multiple Access, a protocol used in 2G networks which uses time division to combine multiple signals into one wireless channel in the mobile phone bands.

Cell The basic geographic unit of mobile phones/services wireless coverage, each equipped with a low-powered wireless transmitter and receiver. A mobile call moves seamlessly from one cell to another.

Co-location Placement of multiple antennas on one site.

Glossary


DECT An abbreviation of Digitally Enhanced Cordless Technology a European protocol for short range cordless (wireless) phones often used within houses and offices.

Digital Electrical signal that is quantised into discrete digital values; used for second and all subsequent generations of mobile phone systems.

DSL An abbreviation of Digital Subscriber Line; a digital line (wire or optical fibre) connection to the service provider’s resources.

DTT An abbreviation of Digital Terrestrial Television; broadcast digital television.

Electric Power Systems

Systems that generate, distribute or convert electrical power.

Electromagnetic Fields

EMFs Electric and magnetic fields which are caused wherever electricity is used. Electric fields are produced by voltages and magnetic fields are produced by currents.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The physical range of electromagnetic frequencies.

Epidemiology The study of patterns of health and illness and associated factors within the population.

Factfile IET document which sets out, explains, and inter-relates facts about a topic.

Frequency Hz The number of alternating cycles in any oscillating signal during one second.

General Packet Radio Service

GPRS A standard for a type of wireless communication which runs at speeds of up to 115,000 bits per second.

Gigahertz GHz A unit of frequency equal to one thousand million hertz (or cycles per second).

Global Standard for Mobile Telephony

GSM The European-originated standard for second-generation (digital) mobile voice-communication systems.

Health Protection Agency

HPA The former independent body that protected the health and well-being of the UK population; now Public Health England (PHE).

Health Protection Scotland

Scottish equivalent body to the PHE.

Hertz Hz Unit of electromagnetic frequency. 1 Hz is the same as 1 cycle/second.

Institution of Engineering and Technology

IET One of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries.

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

ICNIRP A body of independent scientific experts whose principal aim is to disseminate information and advice on the potential health hazards of exposure to non-ionizing radiation to everyone with an interest in the subject.

Interoperability The ability of a network to coordinate and communicate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.


IP An abbreviation of Internet Protocol. IP specifies the format of digital data packets, and the addressing scheme.

ISM An abbreviation of Industrial, Scientific and Medical low power wireless digital data communication band 2400-2480MHz.

Kilohertz kHz A unit of frequency equal to one thousand hertz (or cycles per second).

LAN An abbreviation of Local Area Network; a small data network covering a limited area such as a building or group of buildings.

Leukaemia A type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow that is characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells.

Low-voltage Electric Wiring

Wiring systems for voltages of less than 400 volts.

LTE An abbreviation of Long Term Evolution the likely update successor to UMTS technologies used in 3G networks. Commonly used to refer to future mobile technologies.

Macrocell A mobile phone service access node using a mast or other structure supporting a large antenna designed to give large area coverage typically over a few kilometres.

Megahertz MHz A unit of frequency equal to one million hertz (or cycles per second).

Microcell A mobile phone service access node using unobtrusive antennas, designed to give coverage over a small area.

Mobile phone Hand-held, battery-powered, receiver(s) and transmitter(s) for use with a cellular network(s).

Network A combination of hardware and software established and operated for the specific purpose of providing data communications.

Non-ionising Electromagnetic fields lacking sufficient energy to break chemical bonds.

Packet A piece of data sent over a packet-switching network, such as the Internet. It includes the ‘message’ data and address information about its origin and destination.

PBR An abbreviation of Private Business Radio (previously known as Private Mobile Radio (PMR); a private radio communication service installed and operated by businesses and public sector organisations for their workforce.

PDA An abbreviation of Personal Digital Assistant; often referred to as an electronic diary.

Picocell A mobile phone service access node using a very small antenna and low power, to give coverage over a very localised area.

PMR An abbreviation of Private Mobile Radio, see PBR.

Power Frequencies

The physical frequency of electrical power systems typically 50 or 60 Hz.

Power Lines The metal wire infrastructure for carrying electricity.

Precautionary Measures

Measures taken to avoid or mitigate possible risks before full knowledge of their likelihood and size is available.


Protocol A standard set of definitions governing how communications are formatted in order to permit their transmission across networks and between devices.

Public Health Agency Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland equivalent body to the PHE.

Public Health England

Executive agency of the Department of Health to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. Formerly the HPA.

Public Health Wales

Welsh equivalent body to the PHE.

Radar System(s) using radio waves to detect remote objects.

Radio Frequencies (radio waves)

Electromagnetic fields in a frequency range often used to broadcast radio signals, typically from 100 kHz to 10 GHz.

Smart Phone Wireless phones with advanced data features characterised by the ability to manage, receive and transmit data in addition to voice services.

SMS SMS An abbreviation of Short Message Service. It is the transmission of short text based messages (or ‘texts’) to and from a mobile or fixed telephone, fax machine and or IP address. Normally it must be no longer that 160 alpha-numeric characters and contain no graphics or images.

Specific Energy Absorption Rate

SAR Specification of the amount of power absorbed by living tissue measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg).

Spectrum A continuous range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.

Spread Spectrum A method of transmitting a wireless signal by spreading it over a range of frequencies.

TCP/IP An abbreviation of Transport Control Protocol (TCP) for Internet Protocol (IP) digital data packets, which establishes a communication connection between a source and destination.

TDMA An abbreviation of Time Division Multiple Access; a technology that permits the transmission of data by dividing it into time slots (timed packets) such that a plurality of users can be serviced.

Telemetry The transmission of radio signals containing coded data.

Tesla T Physical unit of magnetic field.

Terrestrial Trunked Radio

TETRA A professional mobile-radio and two-way transceiver equipment and systems specification designed for use by government agencies, emergency services, (police forces, fire departments, ambulance) for public safety networks, rail transportation staff for train radios, transport services and the military.

Tumour The name for an abnormal mass, or a solid lesion formed by an abnormal growth of biological cells.

Television and Radio Transmitters

The electromagnetic field sources intended to broadcast to the population at large.


UHF An abbreviation of Ultra High Frequency; the radio spectrum range of 300MHz to 3GHz.

UMTS An abbreviation of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System; the third generation (3G) mobile technologies protocol.

UWB An abbreviation of Ultra Wide Band; a technology that spreads a signal sparsely over a wide range of frequencies.

VHF An abbreviation of Very High Frequency; the radio spectrum range of 30 to 300MHz.

VoIP An abbreviation of Voice over IP; a set of facilities used to manage the delivery of voice over the Internet.

Volt V Physical unit of electric potential.

WAN An abbreviation of Wide Area Network; a term referring to a large network spanning a wide geographical area.

WLAN An abbreviation of Wireless Local Area Network; a LAN implemented using wireless technology.

Watt W Physical unit of electromagnetic field(s) power.

Wi-Fi

Short range (usually <30m) wireless technologies that allow wireless devices to communicate with each other.

WiMax An abbreviation of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, a wireless industry coalition to enable multi-media applications for last mile networks typically for broadband access. It is similar to Wi-Fi but with larger range and bandwidth.

Wireless Device A device which receives and transmits electromagnetic fields for communication purposes.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is working to engineer a better world. We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society. The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SCO38698).

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