Exposure to radio frequency waves

We take care to ensure that our products, services and networks do not exceed international radio-frequency (RF) exposure limits. This includes the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology used by the O2 Airwave service.

We comply with the exposure guidelines issued by the UK’s Health Protection Agency’s Radiation Protection Division (formerly the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), Germany’s Strahlenschutzkommission (SSK), the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the European Commission.

'The balance of evidence to date suggests that exposures to RF radiation below NRPB and ICNIRP guidelines do not cause adverse health effects to the general population.' The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones: May 2000

'... in the UK there is a lack of hard information showing that the mobile systems in use are damaging to health. It is important to emphasise this crucial point. The main conclusions reached in the Stewart Report in 2000 still apply today ... a precautionary approach should continue to be adopted.'

UK National Radiological Protection Board: January 2005

During the year we implemented ICNIRP guidelines on occupational exposure limits in the UK, which are slightly more stringent than those previously adopted under the UK’s NRPB guidelines.

This requires us to protect all workers from potential over-exposure by increasing the distance between them and our antennas via barriers, clear signs and information. These measures also support the European Physical Agents Directive (EMF), which comes into force in the European Union in April 2008. The directive will require all EU employers to ensure their employees are not exposed to electro-magnetic fields above the exposure limits specified in the directive. These limits align with the occupational exposure limits specified by ICNIRP.

In Germany, we comply with regulations on occupational exposure drawn up by a professional association for industrial safety and insurance, the Berufsgenossenschaft. Compliance with these regulations also guarantees compliance with the European Physical Agents Directive - EMF.

A central database of all mobile operators - to enable the public to find out where all masts are sited and their compliance with exposure guidelines – has been established in Germany (www.bundesnetzagentur.de). The Informationszentrum Mobilfunk e.V. commissioned research in the Federal State of Lower Saxony, on behalf of the Environment Ministry, and the results were presented to the media, public and local authorities during the year.  Local doctors were also invited to certified training sessions on EMF and Health by the IZMF.