Researched

Australia’s telecommunications companies are deploying new 5G networks and understandably some people in the community want to know if electromagnetic energy (EME) from 5G is regulated for safety, and whether there are any potential health concerns.

Scientists have been studying radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) since the 19th century, and it’s been used in communications services, including telecommunications networks, for almost as long. This research is extensive and ongoing.

The body responsible for researching RF EME in Australia and providing high quality advice to Government is the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

ARPANSA identifies, assesses and communicates any health, safety and environmental impacts that may be associated with RF EME and promotes its safe use with advice, research and recommendations in line with international best practice.

ARPANSA has set a Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields – 100 kHz to 300 GHz (the Standard) that sets safe RF EME exposure limits from telecommunications facilities, including 5G. The Standard is informed by local and international research from leading health organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). 

When telecommunications companies rollout new technology or infrastructure they are required to make sure the EME emitted by equipment, including transmitters and antennas, does not exceed the level set out in the Standard.

More information on the Standard:

Electromagnetic Energy (EME) from telecommunications in Australia: The science behind the safety standard