[en] Radiofrequency Electromagnetic (RF EMF) Field is used in a lot of application, mainly for communication. These day, wireless communication become a need and play a vital role in human life. To allow wireless communication connected via mobile phones, communication tower must be around int the area of the user. The increasing numbers of communication tower raise a concern on the health effects of RF EMF toward human. This study involved 13 communication tower around Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Kuala Nerus is the new district in the state of Terengganu which had been declared as a separate district from Kuala Terengganu in 2014. The RF EMF safety assessment was conducted using broad band electromagnet probe. The RF level in this safety assessment was measured in unit V/m and μW/cm². RF EMF radiation levels measured from this study were compared to the exposure limits toward human as mentioned in Mandatory Standard issued by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Result of the study show that RF radiation level at Kuala Nerus, Terengganu is still far below the permissible exposure limit by MCMC and ICNIRP. (author)

[en] International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) classified ultraviolet as non-ionizing radiation. However, referring to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is a national public health agency of the United States state that ultraviolet band consist of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation depend on the energy and wavelength of the ultraviolet. Ultraviolet also known to have health effects to the human body, especially towards skin and eye. Despite of having negative effect to the human body, ultraviolet radiation also have the positive effects which is, it stimulates the production of vitamin D and have germicidal capabilities. To balance the positive and negative effects, there should be a guideline to make sure the ultraviolet from man-made sources do have enough safety aspect before placement in the market. Due to the increasing use of UVGI marketed for home use for COVID-19, World Health Organization (WHO) warned about potential hazard of UV radiation and advised against use of UVGI to disinfect hand or skin. In Malaysia, currently, there is no guideline on limiting of use of UVGI. This study aim to highlight the safety issue on the UVGI based on literature review and practice from other countries. (author)

[en] A technical assessment and a study were conducted in order to investigate the effect of the time averaging duration from the RF radiation at the vicinity of the telecommunication structures. The measurement was conducted in 10 locations where the telecommunication structures were installed. The assessment was conducted at 3 variable time averaging duration specifically at 1 minute, 6 minutes and 30 minutes for all the stated structures. The results were recorded in terms of power density (μWatt/cm²) and were compared to the reference level stipulated under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Mandatory Standard and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines. (author)

[en] Malaysian government and telecommunication industry is deploying the 5G network around Malaysia since 2021. The number of Radio Communication Infrastructures (RCI) installed adjacent to residential and commercial areas has increased tremendously and triggered the public fear towards the radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) radiation exposure to human as it is believed can cause health effects and cancer. Due to the concern, a pilot study of RF EMF radiation level was carried out around the 5G RCI in Kuala Lumpur when the 5G network deployment by government just began. The objectives of the study were to assess and measure the 5G RF EMF radiation exposure level in various location in Kuala Lumpur and compare it with the permissible limit to human exposure as stated in MCMC Mandatory Standard and International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines. The assessment and measurement were accordance to Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Malaysia Technical Standard Forum Berhad (MTSFB) Technical Code. Spectrum anayzer with 5G decoding module were used with extrapolation factor for downlink signal. Five locations around Kuala Lumpur were selected and study were conducted at 5G frequency range of 3.40 GHz - 3.45 GHz. The results shows that the RF EMF emits by 5G transmitters are complied to the permissible exposure limits for members of public. The data obtained from the study is very important for current and future reference when 5G network is fully deployed for optimum coverage in Kuala Lumpur. (author)

[en] According to International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the band of non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum that located next to ionizing radiation. UV radiation is in the range of 400nm – 100nm and is the dividing line between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The lower energies band in the UV is non-ionizing radiation while the higher energies is ionizing radiation. However, there is no clear evidence on classification of UV radiation as ionizing radiation. The source of UV radiation is from the sun and artificial man-made. There are three classification of UV radiation, which are; UVA (400 - 315nm), UVB (315 - 280nm) and UVC (280 - 100nm). This classification is depending on the wavelength of UV radiation. UV radiation from the sun do give benefit to human by providing Vitamin D, but as the ozone layer becomes thin, more harmful UV can reach the earth. The application of UV radiation is in the commercial, industry and medical. UV radiation widely used for illumination, lighted signs, backlighting, UV curing, tanning, phototherapy and germicidal. Compare to the ionizing radiation, UV radiation has a low power of penetration, therefore the health effect limited to the skin and eyes. For protection on UV radiation, ICNIRP recommends standard protective clothing and application of sunscreen for outdoor occupational and for indoor occupational that dealing with artificial UV radiation, safety precautions include; structural measures, administrative controls and personal protective equipment must be applied. It is impossible for people to avoid UV radiation completely, but the awareness on the safety of UV radiation must be made to avoid any excessive exposure of UV radiation. (author)