Mobile phone masts operated by Ireland’s three mobile networks are emitting non-ionising radiation (NIR) at levels far below acceptable limits, the latest statistics from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) show.
In research published today, ComReg said the latest test results show in some cases that the levels are less than one ten-thousandth of the limits set out in the guidelines by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.
In 2003, a programme was put in place to measure non-ionising radiation levels at up to 400 antenna sites around the country. This involved measuring the highest emission level associated with each site, which can be a dedicated phone mast site or a mixed use facility housing a range of electronic communications equipment including a mobile mast. This work is undertaken by Mason Communications and Radio Frequency Investigations on ComReg’s behalf.
ComReg requires that all its licence holders are compliant with the international guidelines for general exposure to electromagnetic fields. In the past three years, it has published three audit reports. The latest audit report relates to the fourth group of 100 antennae.
By Brian Skelly