08-29-2022 MINUTES OF APPLICANT'S MEETING WITH RESIDENTS

Home

Q &A Regarding Exposures from Cellular Antennas Can you explain the emissions from cellular antennas in How do our standards compare to other countries? simple terms? Approximately 60 countries use the guidelines developed by the The radiofrequency (RF)waves given off by the antennas used International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation are the same as those used by FM radio and TV. The RF Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP recently reaffirmed their energy is non ionizing and is fundamentally different than guidelines,which are almost identical to the U.S.limits,in 2009. ionizing radiation associated with X-ray machines, CAT scans Approximately 14 countries have standards that are lower than and nuclear power. In fact, the RF energy used in cellular the ICNIRP/IEEE standard. These lower standards are not communication is at least 1 million times too low to directly health based standards but based on the concept of prudent break chemical bonds or disrupt macromolecules such as DNA. avoidance. With few exceptions,the only confirmed hazards of RF energy are associated with excessive heating of tissue. What are typical exposure levels from wireless antennas What are the allowable exposure limits and who sets the and how do they compare to other sources? standard? Let's create some common terminology first. The most common cellular sites are called macro sites and can range in The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted height from approximately 50'to 150'. Small cell cells are used Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits in 1996 for in downtown areas or neighborhoods to infill coverage around transmitters operating at frequencies used by wireless macro sites and those range in height from as low as 10'to 30' communication. These limits are based on recommendations in height. There are also Distributed Area Systems (DAS)but made by the National Council on Radiation Protection and in terms of exposure they are essentially the same as small cell Measurements (NCRP) in 1986 and by the Institute for systems. Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Macro sites and small cell site are comparable to each other in FCC adopted the RF exposure limits consultation with the terms of exposure with maximum exposures being a few EPA, FDA, OSI IA and NIOSI I. These limits are based on percent of the standard whereas a typical exposure would be known biological effects and are primarily related to tissue less than 1%of the limit. heating. Andrew H.Thatcher,MSHP,CHP 1 www.rfthatcher.com