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Welcome to the Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association Inc. (ORSAA)
ORSAA is a not-for-profit organisation composed of scientists and professionals from various academic disciplines who are investigating the scientific research that relates to the effects of artificial electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on humans, animals and the environment. As the name indicates, ORSAA has a special focus on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) that includes high frequency microwaves widely used for wireless communication and surveillance technologies. However, ORSAA’s interest in biological effects research extends to extremely low frequency (ELF) fields such as those utilized for domestic electrification (power frequencies). ORSAA’s ethos is to provide an independent perspective on the relevant science and facilitate evidence-based decision making by various stake-holders of modern society including clinicians, educators, safety officers and policy makers on issues regarding exposure to EMR. When reviewing science the words of Francis Bacon are worth remembering "The Scientific Mind - a mind nimble and versatile enough to catch the resemblances of things, which is the chief point, and at the same time steady enough to fix and discern their subtle differences; endowed by nature with the desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to reconsider, carefulness to set in order, and neither affecting what is new nor admiring what is old and hating every kind of imposture" , Please refer to our Resources page for introductory material and links to more detailed databases. Important Disclaimer about Radiation Protection Products. NOTE : ORSAA makes submissions and gives witness statements to the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into 5G Wireless Communication Feb 2020 |
Scientific Evidence of Biological Effects |
Findings of biological and health effects of RF-EMR date back to the 1940s during early stages of microwave usage for radar and medical diathermy. With increasing interest, particularly from the military, the field of RF bio-effects research continued to grow. The World Health Organization (WHO) co-sponsored an international symposium in 1973 entitled Biologic Effects and Health Hazards of Microwave Radiation and later established the International EMF Project in 1996.
In 1994 the Australian government commissioned a review on RF biological effects by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The implications of biological effects on human health were addressed in a Senate Inquiry in 2001. The report from the 2001 senate inquiry stated :" .. For these reasons the Committee Chair recommends a rigorous precautionary approach in all areas of the deployment of wireless technology, that radiofrequency (RF) emissions be kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), and that the expired interim exposure Standard not be adapted to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines". Nearly all the recommendations were not implemented by the government of the day. At present (2019), the scientific literature on EMR research comprised several thousands of peer-reviewed studies; not all are relevant. As with scientific research on other environmental pollutants, RF-EMR research is complex and contains inconsistencies; some studies showing significant effects while others are showing no effects. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has conducted reviews of the scientific literature since 2000 for the Australian government and is also the owner of the RPS3 exposure standards. |
The Precautionary Principle |
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RF-EMR as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen in May 2011.
Based on the current status of scientific research, ORSAA recommends a Precautionary Approach with regard to exposure to artificial EMR – both RF and ELF fields. |