Summary

There are many possible methods of exposure assessment and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Recommendation ITU-T K.91 gives guidance on how to assess and monitor human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) in areas with surrounding radiocommunication installations based on existing exposure and compliance standards in the frequency range of 9 kHz to 300 GHz. This includes procedures of evaluating exposure and how to show compliance with exposure limits with reference to existing standards.

Recommendation ITU-T K.91 is oriented to the examination of the area accessible to people in the real environment of currently operated services with many different sources of RF EMF, but also gives references to standards and Recommendations related to EMF compliance of products.

This Recommendation includes an electronic attachment containing an uncertainty calculator and the Watt Guard modules.

Editorial note – The electronic attachment can be downloaded together with the main edition of this Recommendation.

Amendment 1 adds Appendix IX, which provides an overview of the RF EMF exposure levels in the vicinity of the manhole type base stations. Such base stations are for small cells of 4G and 5G network installed in the ground and have been developed to secure the communication area mainly in places where there are no suitable places for installation of antennas such as tourist spots and scenic spots.