ABSTRACT
In its Framework for Developing Health-based electromagnetic field (EMF) Standards, the EMF Project of the World Health Organization (WHO) describes "science-based exposure limits that will protect the health of the population from EMF exposure". This chapter focuses on two science-based exposure limits as related to several national and regional/local exposure limits, and discusses precautionary-based limits adopted in some jurisdictions. For perspective, three kinds of standards have been developed to ensure safe use of electromagnetic energy over the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum: exposure standards, assessment standards, and electromagnetic compatibility standards for medical devices. These can be voluntary (as with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standards) or mandatory (implemented in government regulations). In assessing an individual's exposure to RF fields, it is useful to distinguish between exposure and dose. Apart from some surface effects that occur outside the skin surface, one can assume that hazardous effects of RF exposure are related to field strengths at specific locations within the body.
