7 October 2024
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) scientist Dr Chhavi Bhatt has contributed to a European study that reviewed radio wave measurement methods and practices.
‘ARPANSA uses the highest quality radio wave measurement tools available, but not all agencies globally have the same access to the specialised equipment that we do,’ Dr Bhatt said.
‘This review found there is a need for lower cost equipment that is accessible to more scientists to measure radio waves.’
Dr Stuart Henderson leads ARPANSA’s radio wave and UV exposure measurement programs.
‘While our studies have shown that exposure to radio waves is well within the safety limit, ARPANSA will continue to study radio wave exposure from wireless technologies to evaluate exposure,’ Dr Henderson said.
‘Being able to accurately measure radiation exposure in communities is crucial in ensuring public safety and investigating potential health effects of radio waves.’
In 2023, Dr Bhatt and Dr Henderson published a peer-reviewed paper that surveyed radio wave exposure across Melbourne.
The paper found that exposure was well below the safety limits.
ARPANSA is currently conducting radio wave measurements in regional areas.
As the Australian Government’s primary radiation protection authority, ARPANSA provides evidence-based health advice to government and the community on radio wave exposure.
ARPANSA has published a range of radiation exposure surveys and studies on its website: https://www.arpansa.gov.au/research-and-expertise/surveys
You can access the European consortium paper that Dr Bhatt contributed to at Environmental Research.
