The UN agency for IT has called on governments in Latin America to adopt a consistent science-based approach to the management of human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from mobile phone technology.
The recommendation came after the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) workshop in Ecuador in August, which brought together leading EMF specialists, top policy-makers, government officials, regulators and standards experts including the World Health Organization’s radiation programme team leader Dr Emilie van Deventer. In her presentation (PDF) Dr van Deventer concluded that there was a need for adoption of health-based standards and assurance of compliance with those standards. She also advised governments to develop public information programs and dialogue with stakeholders.
The ITU, a specialised agency of the United Nations for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) said it was important for governments to set EMF legislation that protected human health while, “recognizing the importance of wireless and mobile communications to the economy, health care, education, business and the society in Latin America.”
“In conclusion, we call on Governments in Latin America and ICT industry to deep[en] the work related to EMF, health and Environment to facilitate the deployment of wireless networks with the participation of the population protecting the environment, the urban patrimony, and the human health under the frame of ITU and WHO Recommendations,” the ITU workshop outcomes document (EN), (ES) recommended.
In his presentation on Exposure levels and good practice EMF policies for mobile networks (PDF), Senior Director of Research & Sustainability for the GSMA, Dr Jack Rowley, said it was important for governments to adopt international safety standards and implement nation-wide planning policies to help cut the unnecessary red tape imposed on mobile carriers when they upgrade or install new telecommunications infrastructure
“Lengthy administrative procedures and a lack of cooperation from local governments in many countries of Latin America are major roadblocks in the way of mobile network operators being able to quickly install new base stations and upgrade equipment,” Dr Rowley said.
“In the absence of strong national policies some localities have imposed non-science based regulations such as exclusion zones around mobile network equipment or precautionary exposure guidelines which restrict base station deployment with no health benefit to the public.”
“To increase transparency and streamline the process of granting permits for mobile network equipment, governments should put in place national regulations that adhere to international standards and clearly define the roll out process.”
Dr Rowley said the FCC’s “shot clock” rule in the US was a good example of a national approach which encourages the efficient rollout of network equipment while ensuring a reasonable time is given to communities to process tower applications.
“By setting deadlines of 90 days for local authorities to process co-located network equipment and 150 days for other requests, mobile carriers in the US can deliver mobile coverage to the areas that need it most without lengthy delays.”
Dr Rowley also said thousands of measurements of mobile base stations around the world showed exposure levels were typically a small fraction of international standards, which highlights the importance of setting national safety limits based on the WHO recommended guidelines.
While in South America Dr Rowley also presented on exposures from mobile networks at a forum on EMF and deployment in Bogota, Colombia organised by the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications and a similar workshop in Cuenca, Ecuador hosted by the regulator Supertel.