Many government and industry organizations have developed exposure guidelines for RF EMF. For example, both the National Council on Radiation Protection and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have established standards for RF radiation.
Workers should use personal RF monitors to detect RF levels and ensure they are staying within the FCC’s exposure guidelines. Indicative barriers should also be posted to mark areas where RF levels may exceed the guidelines.
1. Know the Frequency Range
Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) carries energy and information in the form of waves. It falls within the frequency range of 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). RF is a type of nonionizing radiation, which means it does not have enough energy to dissociate electrons in your cells or cause cell/DNA damage.
RF radiation is typically found near transmitter sites and in common household appliances, such as microwave ovens, mobile telephone base stations, cordless telephones, smart meters, burglar alarms and wireless computer networks. This RF radiation is also present in the natural environment and in our atmosphere.
The RF radiation from these transmitters can be harmful to people when they are exposed to it for extended periods of time or at high power densities. Guidelines for RF exposure are established by national and international agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and International Commission on Nonionizing Radiation and Effects (ICNIRP).
These guidelines for RF exposure are based on a large amount of scientific knowledge regarding the possible adverse effects of RF radiation on human health and well-being. These guidelines are known as Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits and they are used to establish RF safety standards at cellular towers and other transmitting facilities.
2. Know Your Limits
The amount of RF radiation emitted by your cell phone or device will decrease as you move away from the source. This is why you should keep your phone at a distance when talking on it (preferably use a speakerphone or text rather than voice). If you must have the phone near you, keep it in a purse or bag or put it on airplane mode.
If you work in an area where RF exposures may exceed the occupational and general population guidelines, your employer should provide RF awareness safety training. You should also wear protective clothing and be aware of the location of RF sources, such as antennas and radar systems. Indicative barriers are often used to visually mark areas where RF levels are expected to exceed the guidelines. Examples of indicative barriers include buckets, reflective tape or paint, plastic cones and fiberglass fences mounted in cinder blocks.
If you notice signs of RF overexposure, such as pain or reddening of the skin, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The main effect of overexposure to RF is thermal, which is the heating of body tissues by the energy in the radiated fields. If severe, this can cause heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
3. Educate Yourself
RF radiation and electromagnetic fields are found everywhere, both in nature and from man-made equipment. They carry energy-carrying signals that keep the modern world running as it should, but they can also disrupt electronics and cause other harmful effects if in excess.
As a result of this, the RF Radiation Safety training course from Safety LMS is designed to educate participants on how to recognize and address the hazards of RF that exist onsite. This course is geared towards workers who are exposed to RF on a daily basis while working on tower sites, rooftops, or general construction projects.
The good news is that most current exposure guidelines for RF EMR are established by expert organizations and government agencies such as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
The best way to protect yourself is to understand what causes radiation emissions and what you can do to limit them. For instance, you can use wireless devices in areas with strong signal, and avoid using your phone while driving or when your battery is low. You should also avoid streaming video inside vehicles, and instead download files before you travel. Lastly, make sure your electric, water, and gas utility meters are not “smart” meters which emit radiation every time they pulse.
4. Take Care of Your Equipment
Radiofrequency (RF) radiation is a type of nonionizing electromagnetic energy. At low levels, it is not considered a health hazard. However, at higher levels, it can pose a problem. For this reason, it is important to take care of your equipment and avoid unnecessary exposure.
There are many ways to minimize your exposure to RF radiation. The most obvious is to use wireless devices only when necessary. In addition, it is a good idea to keep your distance from devices that produce RF signals, such as cell phones and Wi-Fi routers.
Finally, it is important to check for RF emissions periodically. This is especially true for any equipment that requires access to rooftop locations, such as cellular base stations and paging antennas. In addition, RF exposures should be measured after any installation or major maintenance that could affect the emissions.
There is no established link between RF radiation and cancer or other health problems. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to minimize your firsthand and secondhand exposure to RF radiation as much as possible. This can be achieved by powering wireless devices to OFF and unplugging them when not in use, especially at night during sleep.
5. Don’t Interfere with Others
In most cases, RF radiation is not dangerous to your health because it lacks enough energy to dissociate the electrons in your cells and cause damage. Instead, it simply heats your cells. This kind of heating is similar to when you heat something in a microwave oven. If you are exposed to RF radiation at extreme levels, it may cause your body to heat up faster than it can disperse that heat. This can lead to heat stress, which can affect your mental and physical well-being.
However, you should not worry about RF radiation because studies have shown that exposures to RF radiation that are at or below current U.S. safety limits do not cause any adverse health effects. Moreover, if you want to reduce your exposure, there are several ways to do it. For example, you can use a mesh that has a spacing that is smaller than the wavelength of the RF radiation you are shielding from (e.g. the grid in a microwave oven) or you can use a Faraday Cage which is basically a conductive metal that blocks RF radiation. Additionally, you can turn off your data, bluetooth and wi-fi when not in use to prevent your devices from emitting RF radiation.
6. Take Care of Yourself
If you’re concerned about RF radiation, there are steps that you can take to decrease your personal exposure. These steps don’t involve escaping modern life or throwing away all of your electronics, but rather creating a balance with technology.
Keep a cell phone away from your body as much as possible (preferably in a purse or bag with the antenna pointed outward). Text instead of talking and use speakerphone for voice calls whenever possible. When your cell phone isn’t in use, turn it off or put it on Airplane Mode. Your device emits the most RF radiation when searching for a signal or transmitting data, so this step is crucial to reduce your personal exposure.
Make an effort to move devices – especially routers, cordless phones and wireless speakers – away from where family members sleep, study and play. Also, try to opt for wired options in the home as much as possible – switch from wireless baby monitors to a traditional corded model, for example. And always remove devices from charging when not in use, even if they are off. They continue to emit EMF radiation when plugged in. This simple change can significantly lower your family’s RF radiation levels.
One additional measure you can consider is incorporating Emf clothing into your daily routine. EMF clothing, designed to shield the body from electromagnetic radiation, can provide an extra layer of protection against RF exposure, especially for those who spend significant time in environments with high levels of electromagnetic activity.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Asking questions is a crucial part of the work process. It allows team members to get all of the information they need, so they can make effective decisions that benefit the company as a whole. However, many people are afraid to ask questions at work for a variety of reasons. They may fear that they will appear ignorant or unprofessional, or they may worry that the person won’t be interested in the answer.
It’s important to be willing to ask questions when necessary, especially when it comes to workplace safety. There are many common misconceptions when it comes to RF radiation and how it affects our bodies, so it’s important to clear up any misunderstandings.
A quick search of the Internet will yield 236,000 results for “EMF protection.” Unfortunately, most of these products are based on pseudoscience and have no effect on EMF exposure. In fact, some devices—such as anti-radiation pendants and crystals—have actually been found to increase a phone’s radiation output! For true EMF protection, it’s best to use only FCC-approved devices. In addition, be sure to follow all applicable laws regarding RF radiation usage and proper maintenance. If you’re unsure about your specific legal obligations, consult with an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law.
