MCU18.0166 - Response to Information Request (amended)

How much EME comes from radio transmitters?

All transmitters must operate below ARPANSA’s public exposure
standard. Typically transmitters operate at a tiny percentage of the
ARPANSA standard.


Is the scientific information on EME up to date?
                                                                                                EME emissions
ARPANSA maintains continual oversight of emerging research into
                                                                                            are well below the
the potential health effects of EME exposure in order to provide                               limits set by the
accurate and up-to-date advice to the Government. ARPANSA                                  ARPANSA Standard
works with the World Health Organisation in researching the health
effects of human exposure to EME. Should scientific evidence
indicate that the current ARPANSA standard does not adequately
protect the health of Australians, the Government would take
immediate action to rectify the situation.


NBN wireless towers

Currently, as part of the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), a number of new fixed wireless
towers are being built across Australia. These are subject to the same strict EME safety limits set by
ARPANSA. As such, exposure to EME should not be a concern.

People can, however, also be concerned about the appearance of towers and their visual impact in their
communities. This can also be the case with other facilities, for example mobile phone base stations.
Approvals for the installation of free standing telecommunications towers are subject to state, territory
and local government planning laws. NBN Co is required to follow the processes for community and local
government consultations set out in these laws. People with concerns about proposed NBN towers should
raise their concerns during the consultation process for each tower.




Where can I find out more information?
Further information is available from the following      World Health Organisation
expert bodies:                                           www.who.int/topics/electromagnetic_fields

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear              International Commission on Non-Ionising
Safety Agency                                            Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
www.arpansa.gov.au/Science/rf                            www.icnirp.org

Australian Communications and Media Authority            You can also find out more about transmitters
www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/                   in your community, including EME reports and
Rights-and-safeguards/EME-hub                            community consultation information, from the
                                                         Radio Frequency National Site Archive
                                                         www.rfnsa.com.au




VERSION 01 / FEBRUARY 2015                                                                        communications.gov.au