5G NR launching in Greece: Preliminary in situ and monitoring network measurements of electromagnetic fields exposure levels at rooftops.

In Greece, 5G New Radio (NR) has started launching in the end of 2020, at the 3400-3800 MHz (FR1) frequency band. Focusing on 117 Base Stations (BSs) which were already equipped with 5G NR antennas, in situ broadband and frequency selective measurements have been conducted at minimum three points of interest, at adjacent rooftops (when accessible). The points have been selected according to the sweeping method and the electric field strength (E) value has been stored on the selected worst-case scenario point. Spectrum analysis was conducted in the FR1, for the allocated spectrum that corresponds to each mobile communication provider, in order to get preliminary results concerning the contribution of the 5G NR emissions in the general public exposure levels. The vast majority of the in situ measurements has been conducted in urban environments from the beginning of 2021 until the mid of 2022, since in Greece 5G NR services launching started from the big cities. Additionally, a 5G NR BS, installed in a suburban environment (in the city of Kalamata) is thoroughly investigated during its pilot and regular operation, based on broadband and frequency selective measurements data derived by the National Observatory of Electromagnetic Fields (NOEF) monitoring sensor network. In situ measurement data within the 5G NR frequency range are verified via the NOEF's output. The 5G NR contribution to the total E-field levels is assessed in time, from pilot to regular operation of the BS. In all cases, compliance with the reference levels for general public exposure is affirmed.

Public exposure to artificial optical radiation in the aesthetics and the entertainment sector in Greece. Risk management actions.

Safety issues are raised from the use of low- and high-power optical radiation sources, both laser and non-laser, by non-experts for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The Greek Atomic Energy Commission relied on the ISO 31000:2018 framework to manage the public exposure risk to such cases. Risk was evaluated as (1) intolerable for lasers and intense pulsed light sources at aesthetic procedures and in the case of laser pointers, (2) severe for lasers at laser shows and (3) moderate for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at aesthetic procedures, home-use intense pulsed light sources/LEDs and laser/LED projectors. Operators' training, public awareness campaigns, intensive market surveillance actions and the enhancement of the regulatory framework have been proposed as risk treatment/control measures and have been prioritised in this order, according to their effectiveness in reducing the exposure risk and their urgency of implementation. The Greek Atomic Energy Commission developed public awareness campaigns regarding exposure safety to laser and non-laser light sources at aesthetic procedures and the use of laser pointers.

Occupational electromagnetic spectrum hazards and the significance of artificial optical radiation: country report for Greece.

BACKGROUND: The electromagnetic spectrum spans over an enormous range from 0 up to more than 1020 Hz in the deep ionizing region, significant exposures exist in specific occupational environments. Between the ionizing and the electromagnetic fields (EMF) part of the spectrum, the 'optical radiation' (OR) region has specific properties. Comparative and concise evaluation enables action prioritization. METHODS: Following the transposition and implementation periods of the artificial optical radiation (AOR) and EMF European Directives, the Hellenic Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) and the National Technical University of Athens, conducted thorough occupational exposure investigation in Greece. Using dedicated measuring equipment and procedures, the majority of EMF emitting installations in Greece and also AOR emitting installations including arc welding, lasers and PC monitors has been assessed. RESULTS: Measurement results from occupational settings reveal that it is the non-coherent metal arc welding AOR that can pose even sub-second overexposures. Rare EMF overexposures are manageable and EMF concern is not justified. Maintenance procedures demand proper attention. Preliminary laser safety assessment reveals OHS gaps and potential eye and skin hazards. Blue light exposure from computer monitors is well below safety limits. CONCLUSIONS: This electromagnetic spectrum risk assessment conducted in Greece enables the justification of the real occupational hazards, in this sense: i) EMF exposure assessment has to be concentrated to maintenance procedures; ii) AOR measuring setups are challenging and standardized measurement procedures are missing, and iii) AOR overexposures from arc welding pose significant eye and skin hazards.

A coherent framework for non-ionising radiation protection.

A coherent and overarching framework for health protection from non-ionising radiation (NIR) does not currently exist. Instead, many governments maintain different compliance needs targeting only some NIR exposure situations. An international framework developed by the World Health Organization would promote a globally consistent approach for the protection of people from NIR. Designed based on decades of practical experience the framework provides guidance on establishing clear national health and safety objectives and how they should be achieved. It supports multisectoral action and engagement by providing a common language and systematic approach for managing NIR. The framework should allow governments to respond to policy challenges on how to achieve effective protection of people, especially in a world that is rapidly deploying new NIR technologies. In this paper the concepts and key features are presented that underpin the framework for NIR protection, including examples of implementation.

Evaluation of Radiofrequency and Extremely Low-Frequency Field Levels at Children's Playground Sites in Greece From 2013 to 2018.

From 2013 to 2018, in-situ measurements of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields in 317 existing and under-construction children's playground facilities, in 16 municipalities all over Greece, were carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE). These measurements were conducted following legislative framework established in 2009, which requires that compliance with the established exposure limits for EMFs should be verified in playground areas. The results are presented by the value of the electric field (E) and exposure ratio (Λ) for the RF EMF, as well as the value of the electric field (E) and magnetic flux density (B) for the ELF electric and magnetic fields. Statistical analysis tools were applied on measurement data and conclusions have been made, taking into consideration: (i) environment type (urban/suburban), and (ii) vicinity to any transmitting installations. Measurement results correspond to the typical EMF background levels for each environment type. Concerning the environment type, RF EMF, and ELF electric/magnetic field measurements reveal no differentiation between urban and suburban environments. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:602-605. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Sunbeds' ultraviolet radiation measurements with different radiometers and criteria for compliance assessment set by the national competent authority in Greece.

In order to ground the credibility of the sunbeds' ultraviolet radiation compliance assessment with the 0.3W/m(2) erythema effective irradiance limit, it is highly important to use reliable measuring equipment and to justify reasonably the measurement's result. Recently, the first surveillance action of the artificial tanning sector in Greece has been finalised. The action consisted of in situ erythema effective irradiance measurements from sunbeds at commercial premises offering artificial tanning services at various cities throughout Greece. Four different broadband erythemal weighted radiometers were used in order to compare them during in situ sunbeds' radiation measurements, at commercial premises, and to choose the most suitable one for compliance inspections. Furthermore a rationale has been introduced in order to compare the measurement's result with the limit, and decide about compliance or not, taking into account the measurement's expanded uncertainty. According to this approach, compliance, probable compliance or non-compliance is verified when the measurement's result taking into account the measurement's expanded uncertainty does not, probably or does exceed the 0.3W/m(2) limit, respectively. Ultraviolet radiation exceeded the 0.3W/m(2) erythema effective irradiance limit in 63.5% (33 out of 52) of the sunbeds and probably exceeded the limit in 11.5% (6 out of 52) of the sunbeds, according to the measurements performed with the radiometer which was chosen as the most suitable one and the proposed rationale for compliance justification.

An interlaboratory comparison program on ELF electric and magnetic fields measurements performed in Greece: Second round of the scheme.

The second round of an interlaboratory comparison program for extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields measurements was performed at the High Voltage Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens (Greece). The 16 participating laboratories measured the following: (i) electric field produced by a scale transmission line; (ii) magnetic field produced by a medium voltage cable; and (iii) magnetic field and frequency at the center of a standard square coil and their delivered results were evaluated in all measurement scenarios with use of performance statistics z-scores. Deviations between z-scores based on usual estimators (mean value, standard deviation) and robust estimators (derived with the robust algorithm described by the International Organization for Standardization [ISO, 2005]) highlight improved performance of the robust algorithm. An overall comparison to measurement procedure and performance results of the first round proves effectiveness and necessity of the scheme. Improper instrumentation or calibration, instability of the field source and measurement position uncertainty are factors that may cause unsatisfactory performance of the participants.

In situ measurements of radiofrequency exposure levels in Greece from 2008 to 2013: a multi-parametric annual analysis.

From 2008 through 2013, more than 6,000 in situ frequency selective audits, in the proximity of base stations, were conducted throughout Greece by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE), in order to verify exposure limit compliance. EEAE is the competent national authority for protection of the general public against artificially produced non-ionizing radiation. This paper presents the first post processing and multi-parametric year statistical analysis of in situ measurement data corresponding to 4,705 audits in the whole country, compared to general public exposure levels, according to Greek legislation. The aim is to derive nationwide conclusions for the characterization of general public exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, during the last 6 years. The results' presentation includes electric field exposure ratios referring to broadband and frequency selective measurements at the highest exposure measurement point. Statistical analysis is applied to assist the data presentation and evaluation, based on selected criteria and classification parameters, including: (i) year (2008-2013); (ii) environment (urban/suburban/rural); (iii) frequency bands of selected common telecommunication services (e.g., TV, FM, GSM, DCS, UMTS); and (iv) number of service providers installed at the same site. In general, measurement results revealed that the vast majority of exposure values were below reference levels for general public exposure, as defined by Greek legislation. Data are constantly updated with the latest measurements, including emerging wireless technologies.

Evaluation of occupational exposure to ELF magnetic fields at power plants in Greece in the context of European directives.

The scope of this paper is to comparatively present the extremely low-frequency (ELF) measurements performed at four power plants in Greece, focusing on: (a) the worst-case exposure conditions, (b) the existence of magnetic field harmonic components, (c) the technical similarities among the power plants and (d) comparison of the measured percentages of reference levels at typical working areas in the power plants. A detailed measurement methodology is proposed, including broadband on-site inspection of the working areas, weighted averaged root-mean-square and peak values of magnetic flux density, percentage of reference levels, according to 1998 ICNIRP guidelines and harmonic analysis of the multi-frequency magnetic fields. During the analysis of the occupational exposure in all power plants, the new Directive 2013/35/EU has been taken into account. The study concludes by proposing a mapping procedure of working areas into certain zones, in order to take measures for workers safety.

Effective ultraviolet irradiance measurements from artificial tanning devices in Greece.

Artificial tanning remains very popular worldwide, despite the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunbeds as 'carcinogenic to humans'. Greek Atomic Energy Commission has initiated a surveillance action of the artificial tanning devices in Greece in order to record the effective irradiance levels from the sunbeds and to inform and synchronise the domestic artificial tanning business sector with the requirements of the European Standard EN 60335-2-27:2010. In this direction, in situ measurements of UV emissions from sunbeds in solaria businesses all over Greece were performed from October 2013 until July 2014, with a radiometer and a portable single-monochromator spectrophotometer. Analysis of the measurements' results revealed that effective irradiance in ∼60 % of the measured sunbeds exceeded the 0.3 W m(-2) limit value set by EN 60335-2-27:2010 and only 20 % of the devices could be categorised as UV type 3.

A quick and easy method for checking compliance of multi-frequency magnetic fields with ICNIRP's guidelines.

In many practical cases human exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields with many spectral components (multi-frequency fields) has to be examined in order to check compliance with ICNIRP's guidelines. Showing compliance, according to existing methods, requires sophisticated instruments and measurement procedures to assess some complex exposure metrics. Furthermore, even where the field levels are very low, there is no method to show compliance using broadband instruments, which are the most common and simple ones. In this paper, a new method is described where the frequencies emitted by the source are known and only simple broadband instruments are required. First, the spectral distribution of the field that maximizes exposure metrics is found. Then, an effective reference level for the broadband value of the field is estimated for this distribution. If the measured broadband value of the magnetic field is lower than this reference level, then compliance with ICNIRP's guidelines is readily shown. A case study for a magnetic field consisting of 50 Hz and 60 Hz components is presented. The worst-case spectral distribution contained 64% 50 Hz and 76.8% 60 Hz components, and the corresponding effective broadband reference level is 64 muT for general public exposure. The method is generally conservative in cases of incoherent fields and very conservative in cases of coherent fields. To that end, it is practically a quick and easy test to check if further measurements are needed or not. Application of this method is expected to save time, money, and resources.