ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how guidelines for human exposure to radio frequency (RF) are derived, known interactions with human tissue and their measurement, and the evidence for the existence of health effects. A number of bodies have produced detailed reports on reviews of the potential health risks of RF fields, particularly based on wireless telecommunication devices. Safety aspects of RF exposure can be grouped into three broad headings, namely, neurological, driving, and electromagnetic compatibility with safety critical devices, such as prosthetic implants, or with hospital-based devices. If any adverse effects of exposure to RF radiation are identified, then the health and safety executive should establish a system of health surveillance. However, public concern has been expressed over the possibility that RF fields can cause nonthermal biological and health effects at levels below those causing thermal effects. The three terms applied to biological effects of RF exposure are thermal, a-thermal, and nonthermal.
