§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Paymaster General what warnings have been given to the public about the danger to health of radio frequency equipment; what screening safeguards are required; and what are the maximum levels of radiation for such equipment permissible in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. TrippierRadio transmission equipment has riot been shown to create a danger to the health of the public such as to require public warnings. Operators are advised by the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Trade and Industry to follow Medical Research Council recommendations on safe levels of exposure. These include a power density limit for continuous exposure of 10mW/cm2 for the frequency range 30 to 30,000MH3.This may require the prevention of public access to some radio frequency transmitting areas, with fencing and notices to keep out.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Paymaster General what steps he is taking to ensure that radio frequency and microwave safety levels are enforceable by law.
§ Mr. TrippierThere is no legislation requiring specific safety levels for radio frequency or microwave radiation. The general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 require any health and safety risks from such radiation, should they arise, to be contolled so far as is reasonably practicable. Operators are advised by the Health and Safety Executive to follow Medical Research Council recommendations on limiting exposure. Domestic electrical appliances such as microwave ovens are covered by regulations made under the. Consumer Protection Act 1961. Under these regulations, the sale of appliances leaking harmful levels of radiation is not permitted. The safety limit used for this purpose is set out 'in British Standard BS5175: 1976.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Paymaster General it' he will set out in the Official Report such information as he has as to the minimum requirements for safeguarding health from the dangers of radio frequency and microwave equipment in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. TrippierIn the United Kingdom, the Medical Research Council have recommended a power density limit for continuous exposure of 10 mW/cm2 for the frequency range 30 to 30,000MH3. The most recent information available on requirements in the United States of America and the Soviet Union are contained in a paper published in July 1986 in the Applied Industrial Hygiene journal, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.