Radiofrequency Fields

Radiofrequency (RF) fields are a part of everyday life. They are produced by sources such as radio and television broadcasting, mobile radiocommunication transmitting facilities, cell phones, and radar.

The remarkable growth of RF technology over the last few years has raised public concerns about possible associations between RF fields and adverse health outcomes, including cancer. Canada, in fact, was one of the first industrialized countries to recognize the need for radiofrequency exposure guidelines. In recognition of this need, Health Canada in 1979 developed its first RF exposure limit guideline, known as Safety Code 6. The level in the guideline is set below the lowest level of RF exposure that can be identified to produce potentially harmful effects in biological organisms.

Safety Code 6 is referenced in regulations written under the Canada Labour Code and used as a standard by federal government departments, crown corporations, and other organizations. In addition, Canadian provinces and territories have generally adopted these exposure recommendations.

Safety Code 6 offers the best protection for Canadian workers and the general public for several reasons:

• It is based on the weight of evidence, including most recent science, from hundreds of peer-reviewed RF studies;
• It has been reviewed and recommended by independent third parties such as the Royal Society of Canada; and
• Its limits, based on established biological effects, are among the most stringent in the world.

In Canada, broadcasting and telecommunications devices are regulated by Industry Canada. Industry Canada conducts compliance assessments on these devices to ensure that they operate in accordance with Health Canada's Safety Code 6. Industry Canada also requires operators of radiocommunication and broadcast facilities to follow Safety Code 6. For more information regarding standards and regulations for these devices, visit  Industry Canada's "Official Publications on Spectrum Management and Telecommunications".

For potential health effects related to RF fields from cell phones and base stations:

•  Frequently Asked Questions on Radio Frequency Fields, 2007
  This frequently asked questions was jointly developed by Health Canada and Industry Canada in order to address various common questions about public health risks from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. The document specifically pertains to radiofrequency emissions from broadcasting and radiocommunication transmitters, as well as their associated infrastructures (e.g. cell base stations, antenna towers). Learn more about radiofrequency energy, its biological effects, the setting of exposure limits, and applicable regulations.
• It's Your Health: Safety of Cell Phones and Cell Phone Towers
  With the growing popularity of cell phones, concerns have been raised about the safety of exposure to RF energy. This document addresses these concerns and outlines the respective responsibilities of Health Canada and Industry Canada for the safety of these devices.
• Radiofrequency in Five Vancouver Schools: Exposure Standards not Exceeded
  This article presents the findings of a survey of RF fields in and around five schools, three of which had cell base station antennas on or near the school property. The measured levels were found to be millions of times below the exposure limits specified in Health Canada's Safety Code 6.
•  Potential Health Risks of Radiofrequency Fields from Wireless Telecommunications Devices, 1999
  At the request of Health Canada, the Royal Society of Canada appointed an Expert Panel to review the potential health risks associated with radiofrequency fields. The Panel's conclusion was as follows: "Because of the low field strengths associated with public exposure to RF fields from wireless telecommunications base station transmitters, neither biological nor adverse health effects are likely to occur."
• Measurement Of Cellular Base-Station Emissions Using A Newly Developed RF Field Mapping System, 2003
  This document introduces an instrumentation system developed by Health Canada for measuring ground level RF emissions from cell base stations. It also includes data representing exposure levels in an urban environment. Results show that worst-case exposure levels are typically thousands of times below the recommended exposure limits in Health Canada's Safety Code 6.
• Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
  This fact sheet includes a description of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and whether or not reported symptoms are related to EMF exposure. It suggests possible factors contributing to these health problems, as well as possible treatment options for affected individuals. Current scientific findings in this area are also summarized.

For guidelines related to radiofrequency exposure:

• Health Canada's RF exposure guidelines (Safety Code 6)
  These guidelines describe limits for safe human exposure to radiofrequency energy and outline the safety requirements for the installation and use of devices that emit radiofrequency energy. Industry Canada has adopted a portion of these exposure limits and included them in their regulatory documents.

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

RF area demarcation signs:

For information on what Health Canada does to protect Canadians in this area:

• Electromagnetics

To make an inquiry regarding RF fields and health:
Contact the Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau