Season's greetings from ARPANSA’s Radiation Research and Advice team.
Welcome to the fifth issue of ARPANSA’s Electromagnetic Energy (EME) newsletter where we update you on the progress of our 2020-2024 EME Action Plan.
We were delighted to learn that our collaborative approach to measuring and communicating radiation risk to the public was highlighted as a case study in the 2022-2023 Australian Public Service Commission State of the Service Report, which was tabled in parliament on 29 November 2023. It was great to see our Electromagnetic Energy Program being exemplified for its role in conducting research, developing safety limits, and providing public health advice to the Australian community on radio waves. Speaking of highlighting our work, I’m pleased to share some of what we’ve been up to over the past few months in this newsletter.
I wish all of you a safe and happy new year.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Loughran
EME Program Director
On behalf of the EME program team:
Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director Health Impact Assessment
Dr Stuart Henderson, Assistant Director EMR Exposure Assessment
Dr Chhavi Bhatt, Science Officer (Measurement)
Rohan Mate, Science Officer (Research)
David Sibenaler, Science Communications Officer
Research on EME and health
Ken presents his systematic map of research into the effects of radio waves on plants and animals at the Australian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS) conference.
In September, we published a study in Sax Institute’s journal Public Health Research and Practice which evaluated two of the EME program’s community engagement activities. It found that our health complaints register, established in 2003, was poorly utilised and did not assist in addressing community concerns when compared to our Talk to a Scientist service. Talk to a Scientist’s success can be attributed to our experts engaging in a two-way dialogue with the community, where people can have their concerns heard and resolved by a radiation protection specialist. Overall, the Talk to a Scientist service appears to have contributed to reducing community concern about 5G and educating the public on their real radiation risks, such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. So far this year we have had more than 750 enquiries through our Talk to a Scientist service. The health complaints register received a total of 180 complaints during its nearly 19 years of operation from July 2003 to April 2022.
In October, Ken and Chhavi presented their research and joined a panel discussion during the non-ionising radiation section of the Australian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS) annual conference. Ken presented on the systematic map published earlier this year about the effects of radio waves on plants and animals. Chhavi spoke about a study the team is conducting measuring personal exposures to radio waves at public places in Australia and abroad. Measurements have now been completed across several locations in Australia and in Belgium. Future measurements are planned for New York and Malaysia in collaboration with research partners. Results from this study are expected to be published in 2024.
Last month, Ken and I were invited to present our work at the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association EME symposium. Ken shared his systematic map while I gave an update to the telecommunications industry on the World Health Organization’s Environmental Health Criterion on the possible health effects from exposure to radio waves. This work is ongoing, but it is expected to be completed in 2024. The last Environmental Health Criterion on this topic was published in 1993.
Provide information on EME and health
David and I teaching students about the UV index and when to use sun protection.
Since 2021, we have used National Science Week as an opportunity to engage the public to discuss EME and health. This year, we visited two schools to introduce children to radiation basics and discuss sun protection. This engagement was an opportunity to teach children about radiation and for us to encourage a future generation to make better-informed decisions about their radiation exposure from the sun. It was also a way for us to inspire the next generation by teaching them about scientific foundations - asking questions, making predictions, and conducting experiments. We spread these messages to about 600 students across two days.
The schools we visited were local to ARPANSA’s Melbourne office and engagements were based on existing relationships through school communities. We are keen to expand this to other schools, especially in summer terms when the sun protection message is particularly relevant. If you’d be interested in having an ARPANSA scientist come to your local primary school to engage students about EME, sun safety, and what it means to be a scientist, please contact eme@arpansa.gov.au.
Engage with international health authorities
A delegation from Japan’s Mitsubishi Research Institute (front row) visit ARPANSA staff (back row).
In August, we hosted a delegation from Japan’s Mitsubishi Research Institute. This meeting was an opportunity to share our work and understand how Japanese authorities inform their citizens and protect them from harmful effects of radio waves. Building and maintaining relationships with experts abroad allows us to build new knowledge and contribute to international best practice on radio wave measurement, safety standards, risk communication and research.
In November, Ken and I travelled to Switzerland to attend the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Commission and scientific project group meetings. At this meeting, the members for the main commission for the next term were elected. Ken, who is currently an ICNIRP Commissioner, was elected as the new Vice Chair of the ICNIRP Commission and will begin his term in this role in July 2024. On behalf of ARPANSA, I would like to congratulate Ken on this appointment. Ken is a highly recognised expert and I know that he will do a fantastic job contributing to the international efforts to further understand non-ionising radiation exposure and protect people and the environment.
2024
Our EME program’s 4-year action plan concludes in 2024. We will be reviewing our priority activities in this area to ensure we continue to undertake high quality research, protect the public from harm, engage national and international health authorities, and provide risk informed and evidence-based public health advice on this important topic.
We’ll be sure to update you in the new year. In the meantime, please follow us on social media for updates on our activities as they occur.
Please note, ARPANSA’s offices will be closed from 22 December to 2 January inclusive and our Talk to a Scientist service will be closed from 18 December to 12 January inclusive.
Have a safe and happy festive season.
All the best,
Sarah
