XN000022-1996-12-04 — Page 21

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Report on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation

Following is a question by the Hon Henry Tang and a written answer by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is learnt that a local university commissioned by the Government has recently completed a report entitled "Study on Health Protection of Workers and Members of Public against Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation at Radio Sites" which has identified a number of residential blocks located in areas of high concentration of radiation in the territory. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

Mr President,

of the number of the above residential blocks, as well as the number of residents living in such blocks; and

whether it will consider publicising the exact locations and names of such blocks; if not, what the reasons are?

The Final Report on the "Study on Health Protection of Workers and Members of the Public against Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation at Radio Sites" contains the findings of a consultancy study commissioned by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) on the safety of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from telecommunication transmitters. Twenty radio sites with a high concentration of radio transmitters were covered in the study.

The radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation levels inside the residential units and the normally accessible areas on the roof-tops for all sites surveyed were found to be well within the international safety limits for the general public and workers. For five roof-top sites, the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation levels were found to have exceeded the international safety limits in the extremely unlikely event of continuous exposure over 24 hours at close proximity (i.e. within 1 metre of the antennas). It should however be stressed that the antennas in question are located in places which are not easily accessible: a person would need to climb a physical structure or a ladder to gain access to the antennas. The possibility of the public being exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation hazards under such circumstances is thus remote. These five buildings, which have about 2000 residents, are therefore safe to live in and the roof-tops are safe for normal usage. The Telecommunications Authority has already written to the Incorporated Owners and management offices of these buildings to assure residents that the buildings are safe to live in. As a precaution, transmitter owners will be required to put up warning signs advising the general public against getting close to the antennas.