scope:

This standard specifies exposure criteria and limits to protect against established adverse health effects in humans associated with exposure to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields in the frequency range of 0 Hz to 300 GHz.^1,2 These limits, incorporating safety margins, are expressed in terms of dosimetric reference limits (DRL) and exposure reference levels (ERL). DRLs are expressed in terms of in situ electric field strength, specific absorption rate (SAR), and epithelial power density. ERLs, which are more easily determined, are limits on external electric and magnetic fields, incident power density, induced and contact currents, and contact voltages intended to ensure that the DRLs are not exceeded. The limits, which protect against adverse health effects associated with electrostimulation of tissue and local and whole-body heating, are intended to apply to the described human exposure conditions. However, these levels are not intended to address exposures of patients or human research subjects under the care of medical professionals for which other risks and benefits might apply. These exposure limits might not prevent interference with medical and other devices that might exhibit susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide science-based exposure criteria to protect against established adverse health effects in humans associated with exposure to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields; induced and contact currents; and contact voltages, over the frequency range of 0 Hz to 300 GHz.³

¹ The limits in this standard are intended to protect against adverse health effects except in certain cases of contact current exposures or RF arcing exposures that could result in highly localized burns or transient adverse reactions (e.g., startle or pain).

² The limits at 300 GHz for persons permitted in restricted environments are the same as the corresponding values in existing standards for exposure in the infrared frequency range, which begins at 300 GHz (cf. ANSI Z136.1-2014 [B69] and IEC 60825-1 [B653]).

³ The frequencies and wavelengths covered by this standard are in the "nonionizing radiation" region of the electromagnetic spectrum.