Measurements using Optic and RF Waves

Chapter 9Dosimetry of Interactions Between theRadioelectric Waves and Human Tissues –Hybrid Approach of the Metrology¹

 

 

 

9.1. Introduction

Wireless technologies, and in particular those using electromagnetic fields (emf), are used with increasing frequency in communication systems. In spite of this there is a public concern about EMF. The tremendous use of mobiles during the 1990s, and the proximity of RF emitters to tissues, such as the brain, have induced a public debate.

Protecting people from non-ionizing emission is not a new topic and did not appear with the mobile telephony. The World Health Organization (WHO, www.who.int) and the International Commission on Non Ionising Radio Protection (ICNIRP, www.icnirp.org) have defined limits to protect humans from exposure to EMF (ICNRP 98, 1998).

Dealing with general public and radio frequencies, the ICNIRPs fundamental limits are the basic recommendations that define the maximum acceptable human specific absorption rate (SAR). This must be below 0.08 W/kg whole body averaged and 2 Watts per kilogram locally (ie averaged over 10 grams of tissues). For the workers these limits are 5 times higher.

DAS quantifies the power absorbed by biological tissues. In 1999, ICNIRP limits have been endorsed by the European Commission in its recommendation (100/519/CE). French legislation incorporated these recommendations in 2002 via a decree (n^o 2002–775 signed 3^rd of May 2002).

In spite of these protection limits, questions about health still ...