MCU18.0166 - Response to Information Request

COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS,
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND SAFETY
Information for communities and their parliamentary representatives




Radio transmitters—Are they safe?
Some people may have concerns about possible health effects from exposure to electromagnetic
energy (EME) coming from radiocommunications transmitters on towers and elsewhere. This factsheet
outlines the steps the Australian Government takes to keep Australians safe.

Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) EME has been the subject of detailed research by experts.
Exposure limits are set well below the level at which adverse health effects are known to occur
and include a wide safety margin to protect the public.




What is EME?

RF EME is the energy in radio waves, and is used for wireless communication. It has been in use for over
100 years. It is used to send and receive signals between communications equipment such as broadcast
towers, radios and televisions, mobile phone towers and phones, radar facilities, and electrical and electronic
equipment. It is also part of our natural environment.


How is EME regulated?

Two Australian Government agencies, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
(ARPANSA) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), are responsible for regulating
RF EME exposure.

ARPANSA is an independent Australian Government agency charged with protecting Australians from
exposure to EME. ARPANSA is responsible for advising what safe levels of EME exposure are. ARPANSA
has developed a public health standard which sets limits for human exposure to RF EME. The limits are set
well below the level at which adverse health effects are known to occur and include a wide safety margin to
protect the public. The exposure standards take into account the many sources of RF EME present in the
modern environment.

The ACMA licenses the operation of radiocommunications transmitters. Licences require transmitters
to comply with the exposure limits set out in the ARPANSA standard.




VERSION 01 / FEBRUARY 2015                                                                        communications.gov.au