Authored By:
Rianne StamThis report produced by the Netherlands government compares the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure policies for both the general public and occupational exposure between countries in the EU (European Union) and other countries including Australia. The report grouped countries by how they have responded to EU recommendations based on guidelines by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for EMF frequencies and how this has influenced government policy. For group 1 EU recommendations were reflected in legislation and policy, for group 2 recommendations were not reflected in legislation and policy and for group 3 legislation and policy was stricter than recommendations. For power frequencies, Australia is within group 2 as there is no official regulations or guidelines for general public exposure. However Australian electricity grid operators do use the prudent avoidance principles and prescribe the ICNIRP guidelines. For radiofrequencies (RF), Australia is within group 1 as there are national standards regulating RF exposure from telecommunications sources.
Published In:
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM
