The Guide to EMF Locations in Australia
Introduction: Why it’s important to search for EMF locations
It is not possible to live with a mobile phone without being exposed to EMF radiation. So, it is important that people are aware of their surroundings when they are in an area that has high EMF exposure.
When you are at the right location, you will be able to breathe more easily and feel better.
EMF emissions are invisible to our eye, but they have a huge impact on our health. We can’t see them, but they attack us from all sides – so it’s only logical that we have to search for where they come from in order to protect ourselves from them.
How to Safely Locate an EMF Hazard on the Internet
Electromagnetic radiation, ElectroMagnetic Fields or EMF is a form of radiation that can penetrate buildings/trees, pass through walls, and travel far distances.
The large external sources of ElectroMagnetic Fields (EMF) hazards include power lines, high voltage power lines, airport radar, weather radar, cell towers, mobile phone base stations, small cell antennas.
If you want to find an ElectroMagnetic Fields (EMF) hazards on the internet there are some steps you need to follow.
What are High Voltage Transmission Lines (HVTL) and Why are They Dangerous?
High voltage transmission lines are an essential component of the electrical grid. They are the backbone of our power system, transmitting power from generation facilities to population centres.
They are usually used in areas where there is a large population in order to meet their needs for electricity.
HVTLs may be dangerous when they are close to substations or when they are carrying high voltage electricity over long distances. High voltage transmission lines generate extremely high AC Magnetic Fields that can pose a danger to your health. They have been associated with childhood leukemia, depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and sleep disturbances.
How to Find High Voltage Transmission Lines (HVTL)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) manages the electricity and gas systems across Australia. They have a publicly accessible map that allows you to identify HVTL and Power Stations.
Visit https://www.aemo.com.au/aemo/apps/visualisations/map.html
Then Select:
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Electricity Network > Transmission Infrastructure > Transmission Lines & Transmission Substations.
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Electricity Network > Generation Infrastructure > Power Stations & Generator Density
Click on the dots/circles next to the AEMO layer selection to view the High Voltage Transmission Line (HVTL) and substations
Finally, zoom into the relevant suburb and street level. Unfortunately, it doesn’t contain the ability to search by address, so it may be best to search in Google Maps first to get the general idea, before checking in AEMO.
Also, under Google Maps, you can change to Satellite View, and look for HVTL and transmission corridors.
What are Mobile Phone Base Stations (Cell Towers), Small Cell Antennas and Why are They Dangerous?
Mobile phone base stations are the towers on which antennas are placed to provide mobile phone services. They are also called cell towers or MPBS.
The antennas of the mobile phone base stations are specially designed to transmit pulsed microwave radio frequency (RF) signals that can penetrate into buildings, which is why they are often located on top of buildings, on the sides of highways, or near houses. Mobile phone base stations emit an radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field (EMF). This RF EMF has been associated with a number of adverse health effects including cancer, tinnitus, brain fog and skin problems.
How to Find Mobile Phone Base Stations (Cell Towers) and Small Cell Antennas Online
Historically, OzTowers.com.au was the premium website to identify Mobile Phone Base Stations (MPBS; aka Cell Towers). However, this website was decommissioned. This left 2 primary Regulatory website as the main source of information and identification methods.
RFNSA
Radio Frequency National Site Archive (RFNSA) is the best web page for searching MPBS on the Australian Mobile Network base stations. RFNSA can be used to find numerous information such as Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Reports, 3G/4G/5G services, Telecommunication Carriers and current or propose MPBS installations (ie antennas and cell towers).
Advantages of RFNSA
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Identifies all current mobile phone base stations, cell towers or small cell antennas.
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Identifies all future/proposed mobile phone base stations, cell towers or small cell antennas.
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EME Reports – although these can be estimated/calculated levels, or actual professionally measured levels by NATA accredited EME technicians.
Disadvantages of RFNSA
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Does not report all Radio Frequency (RF) licenses used within Australia – these can be private licenses, commercial licenses used in retail/construction, emergency services etc.
What to Check on RFNSA
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Identify any Mobile Phone Base Stations (MPBS; aka Cell Towers) within 500 metres of the address.
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Look for proposed / future installations below 500 metres from the address
ACMA Site Location Map
https://web.acma.gov.au/rrl/site_proximity.main_page
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the regulatory body governing, managing/licensing and registering all RF licenses used within Australia. They maintain a ‘Register of Radio Communications Licenses’, but more importantly, a Site Location Map that is very useful in identifying ALL radio communications licenses.
Advantages of ACMA
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Identifies ALL radio frequency (RF) licenses used in Australia.
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Identified point-to-point (P2) RF communications. Some of these are backhaul radio communications infrastructure.
Disadvantages of ACMA
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Does not report all proposed or future radio frequency (RF) licenses.
What to Check on ACMA
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Add the address in the top left corner of the map.
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Then look for RF licenses under 500 metres from the address.
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Also look for green lines that intersect over the property. Avoid these buildings.
What are Airport Radar and Weather Radar Systems and Why are They Dangerous?
Airports use airport radar for the safety of passengers and aircrafts. Weather radar is used to detect precipitation, storms, and other weather patterns.
Radar systems work by transmitting microwaves towards targets in order to measure the time it takes for them to return after bouncing off objects. These systems are dangerous because they transmit energy that can be harmful to people around them.
Airport radar are easily locatable on Google Maps by looking for airports. Use this data and avoid homes within 8 kilometres of the home.
For identification of all Weather Radar Systems, review the Google Maps data below. Unfortunately, you cannot escape these microwave pulse EMF exposure as they have a range of up to 256km. Avoid living within 25km of such installation.
If you are in a flight path where planes and helicopters fly over the home in close proximity, then you will also be exposed to RF EMF transmissions from the aircraft.
Conclusion: How to Find out if Your Home or Workplace is an EMF Hazard
EMFs are invisible electromagnetic fields that have been found to have negative health effects on people. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to check for EMFs at home or work.
There are two websites that list potential EMF hazards- RFNAA and ACMA Site Location Map.
RFNSA is the national source of information on RF Mobile Phone Base Stations/Cell Towers in Australia.
ACMA Site Location Map also has a map of Australia with areas flagged as potential RF EMF hazards.
AEMO map provides a view of all high voltage transmission lines and power stations in Australia.
BOM Weather radar systems generate RF EMF microwave pulses up to 256km away. Therefore, avoid living within 25km of such installation. Airport radars are located in all airports, which are easily identified by any airport located on Google maps.
Be sure to research and identify these sources before purchasing or renting a home within close proximity of such EMF hazards.
Hire a Building Biologist to do a Basic EMF assessment to confirm the level of exposure within the home.