Radiation level tests service launched

Anyone living close to a mobile phone base station can now have radiation levels within one's residence tested through a new service being introduced by the Malta Communications Authority in collaboration with the Malta National Laboratory.

An electromagnetic field exposure measurement can be conducted on demand at any accessible location, be it a personal residence, office, place of work or school, the MCA said.

National lab. technical specialists will use the appropriate equipment to measure EMF exposure levels at any three places within the site and compare them with International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection guidelines.

The results will be presented as a report signed by the test engineer or technician.

Anyone who would like such a test may contact John Bugeja on 22798500 for an appointment. The price is set at Lm52 for any location in Malta and Lm60 for tests in Gozo.

Readings at additional localities within that same address may be requested and will cost Lm5 each.

The MCA said the service is not intended to cater for testing of antennas or equipment and is not a replacement of the extensive on-site audits currently underway.

In fact, in a continuation of the three-year survey project of mobile phone base stations, launched last year, a number of sites have been selected for a comprehensive audit this year.

This will confirm that the mobile phone base stations are operating correctly and safely.

The fact that a particular site has been selected does not mean there are suspicions that the electromagnetic field emissions at that site are expected to exceed the current accepted ICNIRP guidelines.

www.mca.org.mt