The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is an independent organisation that provides advice and guidance on the health and environmental effects of <non-ionising radiation>. <Electromagnetic waves> radiated from <telecommunication infrastructure> is a category of non-ionising radiation which plays a vital role in the daily life of our modern society.

The ICNIRP guidelines may be used to protect people from detrimental exposure to EMF radiation from such infrastructure. The guidance are presented in 2 classes:

• basic restrictions
• reference levels

Basic restrictions are restrictions on exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields that are based directly on established health effects. Exposure to time-varying EMF results in internal body currents and energy absorption in tissues. For radio frequencies that range from 100 kHz to 10 GHz the dosimetric quantity used in the guideline is specific energy absorption rate.

The reference levels are derived from basic restrictions. These levels are measured using the dosimetric quantities E-field strength, H-Field strength B-field and power density.

Reference levels are levels provided for practical exposure assessment purposes to determines whether the basic restrictions are likely to be exceeded. Therefore the two classes are related: compliance with a reference level ensures compliance with the relevant basic restriction.

Basis for limiting exposure - give summary and give details (in <Health Issues>)