Levels of exposure to radio emissions

The Spanish regulations on radio emission levels are developed, among others, through the Regulation on the use of the public radio domain, approved by Royal Decree 123/2017on 24 February and the Regulation establishing the conditions for the protection of the public radio domain, restrictions on radio emissions and health protection measures against radio emissions, approved by the Royal Decree 1066/2001, of 28 September, and follows the European Union criteria laid down in the Recommendation 1999/519/ECof 12 July 1999 concerning the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields from 0 Hz to 300 GHz.

This regulation has among its objectives the adoption of health protection measures for the population, establishing limits of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields derived from radioelectric emissions. In addition, there are specific rules for special groups, such as professionals who perform tasks usually related to electromagnetic fields, or people undergoing medical treatment.

Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999 is based on the scientific guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), derived from studies of exposure to electromagnetic fields. The ICNIRP established the international standards, included in the aforementioned European recommendation, and which are supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the highest international health guarantor institution.

The WHO recommends strict adherence to international standards, which have been developed to protect both mobile phone users and people who work near or live around mobile radio stations or do not use this type of communication.

The WHO also recommends that no arbitrary limits be imposed, disallowing or distrusting existing regulation, based on scientific knowledge.

In addition, the Regulation on the Use of the Public Radio Domain (RUER) states that in order to obtain authorisation for the installation of a radio station, the technical projects of the stations that require it must include a detailed study, signed by a qualified telecommunications technician, of the levels of radio exposure in areas where people may be habitually present.

In this study, the installation of the new radio station is contemplated together with the emissions existing in the environment in such a way that, the whole, does not exceed the limits established by the regulations.

When the authorization for the commissioning of the radio station requires an act of technical recognition of the installation, the Secretary of State verifies that the limits established in the regulations are not exceeded.

When the authorization for the commissioning of the radio station is made through the presentation of a replacement certification of the act of recognition in the cases established by the Resolution of 27 March 2023 and in Royal Decree 391/2019, of 21 June, together with the application for authorisation to put the station into service, a certification of levels of radio exposure, signed by a telecommunications technician, must be included in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Order CTE/23/2002, of 11 January, establishing conditions for the submission of certain studies and certifications by radiocommunication service operators.

Such a certificate of radio exposure levels shall include evidence that radio station warning signs are correctly installed. Furthermore, in areas of access for non-professional personnel in telecommunications installation, maintenance or inspection, where the exposure limits to radio emissions could be exceeded, evidence must be provided of the existence of a fence or equivalent system that could prevent access, as well as the indication of prohibition of access to non-professional personnel. In this regard, the Secretariat of State provides certain recommendations on the marking and fencing of radio stations located on urban land or in the surroundings of which persons may habitually remain.

The stations that require a detailed study of levels of radioelectric exposure, to be included in their technical projects carried out by a telecommunications technician, are the stations that are part of public communications networks and have a maximum equivalent radiated isotropic power greater than 10 watts that are on urban land or in whose environment people can usually stay, and that provide the following services:

• (a) Sound broadcasting and television services.
• b) Electronic communications services in the frequency bands with limitation of the number of titles to be awarded identified in the first additional provision of the Royal Decree 123/2017, of 24 February, approving the regulation on the use of the public domain.
• (c) Radio search service.
• d) Mobile communications service in a closed user group.
• (e) Fixed satellite service, mobile satellite service and satellite broadcasting service.
• (f) Fixed wireless access and fixed point-to-multipoint services, other than those referred to in subparagraph (b) above.

In addition, these stations also require a check of the levels of radio exposure by the inspection services during the act of technical recognition of the facilities or, in the case of a replacement certification of the act of technical recognition of the facilities, by a technician competent in the field of telecommunications.

Once the radio stations have been authorized for commissioning, regular monitoring of electromagnetic exposure levels is still maintained. Holders of rights of use of the public radio domain are obliged to present, in the first quarter of each calendar year, a certification issued by a technician competent in telecommunications in which it is declared that the exposure limits established in the regulations in nearby areas where people can usually remain have been respected during the previous year.

In addition, in the areas considered sensitive (crèches, early childhood education centres, primary schools, compulsory education centres, health centres, hospitals, public parks, residences and geriatric centres), special conditions are required and must be met.

On the basis of the results obtained in the aforementioned inspections, in the certifications of electromagnetic exposure levels made by competent technicians, and in the actions established within the framework of the Annual Telecommunication Inspection Plan (PAIT), the Ministry produces and publishes an annual report on exposure to radio broadcasts on an annual basis.

The levels of exposure to radio emissions existing at points close to mobile telephone stations, installed in places where people can usually stay, who have authorization for their installation and for their commissioning, can be consulted at any time through the website of the Ministry. Information can also be obtained on the health criteria related to the levels of radioelectric exposure.

In addition, the State Secretariat provides citizens with an information service on radio installations and exposure levels.