The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2011-07-05 Planning Board Supplemental Materials (8) Donald L. Haes, Jr., Ph.D., CHP Radiation Safety Specialist MA Radiation Control Program Health Physics Services Provider Registration #65-0017 P.O. Box 368, Hudson, NH 03051 Voice: 603-303-9959 Fax: 603-386-6315 Email: donald_haes_chp@myfairpoint.net September 28, 2010 Re: AT&T personal wireless services antennas mounted on an existing guyed lattice tower at 300 Chestnut Street in North Andover, MA. PURPOSE I have reviewed information pertinent to the installation at the above location. In order to determine regulatory compliance, actual field measurements of existing ambient radio-frequency [RF] fields have been obtained. The measurements included ambient RF fields from all FCC- licensees, including the contributions from AT&T. The physical conditions are that AT&T personal wireless services directional panel antennas for their Federal Communications Commission [FCC]- licensed technologies are mounted on the existing guyed lattice tower owned by SBA Towers (See Figure 1) (FCC ASR#1060890). Antennas from other personal wireless service providers are mounted on the lattice tower as well. The measured values of RF field levels are presented as a 1,2 percent of current Maximum Permissible Exposures [%MPE] as adopted by the FCC , and those 3 established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health [MDPH] . (With 100% signifying an acceptable amount). SUMMARY The measured existing ambient RF field levels for all FCC-licensed activities indicate the maximum to be less than two percent of the current State and Federal maximum permissible exposure guidelines. The contributions solely from AT&T indicate the maximum to be much less than one-tenth of one percent of the current State and Federal maximum permissible exposure guidelines. These RF measurements are accurate, and meet both FCC and the MDPH guidelines. Based on my extensive experience with personal wireless services facilities, and the RF fields I have measured, it is my expert opinion that the AT&T personal wireless services installation complies with FCC RF emission requirements of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and regulatory guidelines for RF exposure. Note: The professional analyses, conclusions and opinions are based upon the precise parameters and conditions of existing lattice tower at 300 Chestnut Street in North Andover, MA. this particular site; Utilization of these professional analyses, conclusions and opinions for any personal wireless services installation, existing or proposed, other than the aforementioned have not been sanctioned by the author, and therefore should not be accepted as evidence of regulatory compliance. Figure 1: Lattice tower at 300 Chestnut Street, North Andover, MA. (Picture courtesy Microsoft Virtual Earth and may not represent current conditions) RF EXPOSURE LIMITS AND GUIDELINES The RF exposure guidelines adopted by the FCC are a combination of the standards 4 published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Council on 5 Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) . The Massachusetts Department of Public Health 3 [MDPH] exposure standards are analogous. Listed in Table 1 below are the applicable RF exposure guidelines for public areas as they pertain to the operating frequency bands of the PWS facility industry. Table 1: Maximum Permissible Exposure Values for Uncontrolled/Public Areas Frequency BandMaximum Permissible Exposure 2 300 - 1500 MHz f / 1.5 in W/cm 2* 1500 - 100,000 MHz1000 W/cm Note: 1 W = 0.000001 Watt *6 For equivalent plane-wave power density, where f is the frequency in MHz (10 Hz). Page -2- PERTINENT SECTIONS OF THE ZONING BYLAWS * 8.9 Wireless Service Facilities (8) Monitoring and Maintenance a) After the facility is in operation, the applicant shall submit to the SPGA ... at annual intervals from the date of issuance of the Special Permit, preexistent and current RFR measurements. Such measurements shall be signed and certified by an RF engineer, stating that RER measurements are accurate and are in compliance or why the measurements fail to comply with all applicable FCC Guidelines as specified in Section 8.9(4)(c)(1) RFR Filing Requirements of this Bylaw. The measurements shall be submitted for both the applicant and all co-locators. * Last Amended July 10, 2006 Page -3- MEASUREMENT PROTOCOL RF field measurements were obtained on September 25, 2010, using accepted scientific 6, 7 procedures. The temperature was 74F with overcast skies. The measuring equipment included a Narda model SRM-300 Electromagnetic Radiation Meter/Spectrum Analyzer with model 3AX 75M-3G Broadband Isotropic Probe. The instrumentation can provide a meter read-out in %MPE for members of the general public (percent FCC 1997 Maximum Permissible Exposure) within the frequency band from 50 MHz to 3 GHz. The readings can be obtained in two different modes: (1) A Safety Analysis mode, where the total RF field can be examined within each 8 frequency band licensed by the FCC (88 MHz to 3 GHz) , along with the total of the entire band 50 MHz to 3 GHz. The instrumentation provides a meter read-out in percent FCC 1997 Maximum Permissible Exposure for members of the general public. This Safety Analysis mode was used to obtain the RF field values representing the current RFR measurements as outlined in 8.9(8)(a) of the Zoning Bylaw. See results, Table 2. (2) A Spectrum Analysis mode, where the total RF field can be examined with a visual representation of the spectrum (See example Figure 3) and the value of each peak identified by frequency. In this manner, and referencing the FCC-licensed frequencies operated at the site by AT&T, information regarding the contributions from AT&T only was obtained. When this value is subtracted from the total RF field values obtained in the Safety Analysis mode, the resultant value then represents the RF field values absent of AT&T; and represents the preexistent RFR measurements as outlined in 8.9(8)(a) of the Zoning Bylaw. See results, Table 3. The RF field measurements were obtained during normal use of the existing transmitters at various locations (See Figure 2). The results within each band are listed in Tables 2 and 3 for the current RFR measurements and preexistent RFR measurements, respectively. Page -4- Figure 2: Locations of RF Field Measurements 300 Chestnut Street Site in North Andover, MA (Picture courtesy Google Earth and may not represent current conditions) Figure 3: Actual Spectrum Analysis of Measurement (Location #1) Page -5- RESULTS Table 2: Results of RF Field Measurements Representing the Current RFR Measurements 300 Chestnut Street and Surrounding Area, North Andover, MA Location NumberPercent Public Maximum Permissible (See Figure 2)Exposure ( % MPE)* 11.312% 21.340% 31.306% 40.671% 51.211% 61.262% 70.518% 80.725% 91.173% 101.868% * Total, 50 MHz - 3 GHz:% MPE Members of the Public Page -6- Table 3: Results of RF Field Measurements Representing the Preexisting RFR Measurements 300 Chestnut Street and Surrounding Area, North Andover, MA Column 2 minus Total Percent Total Column 3; Public Maximum Location NumberContributions Representing Permissible (See Figure 2)from AT&T Only; Preexisting RFR Exposure ( % ( % MPE)Measurements MPE)* ( % MPE) 11.312%0.005%1.307% 21.340%0.003%1.337% 31.306%0.002%1.304% 40.671%0.001%0.671% 51.211%0.001%1.210% 61.262%0.019%1.243% 70.518%0.016%0.502% 80.725%0.026%0.699% 91.173%0.024%1.149% 101.868%0.003%1.865% * Total, 50 MHz - 3 GHz:% MPE (Public) Page -7- CONCLUSION The measured existing ambient RF field levels for all FCC-licensed activities indicate the maximum to be less than two percent of the current State and Federal maximum permissible exposure guidelines. The contributions solely from AT&T indicate the maximum to be much less than one-tenth of one percent of the current State and Federal maximum permissible exposure guidelines. These RF measurements are accurate, and meet both FCC and the MDPH guidelines. Based on my extensive experience with personal wireless services facilities, and the RF fields I have measured, it is my expert opinion that the AT&T personal wireless services installation complies with FCC RF emission requirements of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and regulatory guidelines for RF exposure. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Note: The professional analyses, conclusions and opinions are based upon the precise parameters and conditions of this existing lattice tower at 300 Chestnut Street in North Andover, MA. particular site; Utilization of these professional analyses, conclusions and opinions for any personal wireless services installation, existing or proposed, other than the aforementioned have not been sanctioned by the author, and therefore should not be accepted as evidence of regulatory compliance. Page -8- Donald L. Haes, Jr., Ph.D., CHP Radiation Safety Specialist MA Radiation Control Program Health Physics Services Provider Registration #65-0017 P.O. Box 368, Hudson, MA 03051 Voice: 603-303-9959 Fax: 603-386-6315 Email: donald_haes_chp@myfairpoint.net STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION 1.I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statements of fact contained in this report are true and correct. 2.The reported analyses, opinions, and conclusions are limited only by the reported assumptions and limiting conditions, and are personal, unbiased professional analyses, opinions and conclusions. 3.I have no present or prospective interest in the property that is the subject of this report and I have no personal interest or bias with respect to the parties involved. 4.My compensation is not contingent upon the reporting of a predetermined energy level or direction in energy level that favors the cause of the client, the amount of energy level estimate, the attainment of a stipulated result, or the occurrence of a subsequent event. 5.This assignment was not based on a requested minimum environmental energy level or specific power density. 6.My compensation is not contingent on an action or event resulting from the analyses, opinions, or conclusions in, or the use of, this report. 7.The consultant has accepted this assessment assignment having the knowledge and experience necessary to complete the assignment competently. 8.My analyses, opinions, and conclusions were developed and this report has been prepared, in conformity with the American Board of Health Physics [ABHP] statement of standards of professional responsibility for Certified Health Physicist. September 28, 2010 Date Page -9- ENDNOTES 1. Federal Register, Federal Communications Commission Rules; Radiofrequency radiation; environmental effects evaluation guidelines Volume 1, No. 153, 41006-41199, August 7, 1996. [47 CFR Part 1; Federal Communications Commission]. th 2. Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 USC; Second Session of the 104Congress of the United States of America, January 3, 1996. 3.105 CMR 122.000: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Non-Ionizing Radiation Limits for: The General Public from Non-Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, Employees from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, and Exposure from Microwave Ovens. 4.ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1999: American National Standard, Safety levels with respect to human (Updated in 2005) exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, from 3 KHz to 300 GHz. 5.National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP); Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, NCRP Report 86, 1986. 6. ANSI/IEEE C95.3-2002: American National Standard, Recommended Practice for the Measurement of Potential Electromagnetic Fields - RF and Microwave. 7.NCRP Report No. 119: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 1993; A Practical Guide to the Determination of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields. 8.FCC Licensee Lower Band (MHz)Upper Band (MHz) TV Ch. 2-6 54 88 FM Radio 88 108 Paging 152 159 TV Ch. 7-13 174 216 TV Ch. 14-69 470 806 SMR Transmit 806 821 Private Land Mobile 821 824 Cellular AMPS 824 849 ESMR/Land Mobile 849 869 Cellular AMPS 869 894 Aeronautical Mobile 894 896 Private Land Mobile 896 901 PCS Narrowband 901 902 Land Mobile & Armature (Ham) 902 930 PCS Narrowband 930 931 Paging 931 932 PCS Narrowband 940 941 Public Land Mobile 941 960 PCS Broadband1,850 2550 Page -10-