RF Radiation Standards

Chapter 8.2

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Figure 8.2-1 -- ANSI Standard
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Figure 8.2-2 -- IEEE Standard

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (OIOSH) are federal agencies that have established standards regarding radio frequencies. The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) are private organizations that have well-established standards regarding radio frequencies. Some state and local governments have also established limits for radio frequency and/or 60 Hz emissions. Depending on the device, intended use and place used (commercial, industrial, business, private, city/state) determines which standards apply -- for most situations, if not all, more than one standard applies. This section considers ANSI and IEEE safety limits with respect to human exposure to radio frequencies for the general public.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard C95.1-1982 sets electric and magnetic field (see Appendix B -- Electromagnetic Waves) strength limits for the general public for frequencies between 300 kHz and 100 GHz. Below 300 MHz the electric and magnetic fields must be accounted for separately. The below figure illustrates the electric field strength (E field) limits in volts per meter (V/m), the magnetic field strength (H field) limits in amperes per meter (A/m) and where applicable the power density limits in milliwatts per square centimeter. The limits are based on whole body exposure averaged over 0.1 hours (6 minutes); an absorption rate of 0.4 watts per kilogram (0.18 W/lb) is considered a safe limit.

Figure 8.2-1 -- ANSI Standard

Fig 8.2-1

At traffic radar frequencies (X, K, and Ka) the ANSI limit is 5 milliwatts/square centimeter. This equates to an electric field strength of 137 volts/meter and a magnetic field strength of 0.364 amperes/meter.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standard C95.1-1991 sets electric and magnetic field (see Appendix B -- Electromagnetic Waves) strength limits for the general public for frequencies between 3 kHz and 300 GHz. Below 100 MHz the electric and magnetic fields must be accounted for separately. The below figure illustrates the electric field strength (E field) limits in volts per meter (V/m), the magnetic field strength (H field) limits in amperes per meter (A/m) and where applicable the power density limits in milliwatts per square centimeter.

Figure 8.2-2 -- IEEE Standard

Fig 8.2-2

At traffic radar frequencies (X, K, and Ka) the IEEE limit is about 10 milliwatts/square centimeter. This equates to an electric field strength of 194 volts/meter and a magnetic field strength of 0.515 amperes/meter.

Police Traffic Radar Handbook
Chapt 8.2 -- RF Radiation Standards