TC95

TC 95 Chair: Dr. C-K Chou
SC1 Techniques, Procedures, & Instrumentation: Peter Zollman & Matt Butcher
SC2 Terminology, Units of Measurement, & Hazard Communication: Ric Tell
SC3 Safety Levels, Human Exposure, 0-3kHz: Dr. Robert Kavet & Dr. Alexandre Legros
SC4 Safety Levels, Human Exposure, 3kHz-300 GHz: Dr. William Bailey & Dr. Gregory Lapin
SC5 Safety Levels, Electro-Explosive Devices: Ray Harmon & Auke Vesser
SC6 EMF Dosimetry Modeling: Dr. Akimasa Hirata

Current standards and standards under development by ICES TC95 (see Table 1 below).

SC1: Measurements & Calculations

SC1 maintains IEEE C95.3-2021 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Measurements and Computations of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields with Respect to Human Exposure to Such Fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz.” Currently, SC1 is holding collaborative meetings with pertinent presentations and observing developments that may lead to updates or new standards.

SC2: Warning Signs/Hazard Communication

SC2 has two active standards: 1) C95.2-2018: IEEE Standard for Radio Frequency Energy and Current Flow Symbols. The content of this standard is stable and a revision is not expected in the near future. 2) C95.7-2014: Recommended Practice for Radio Frequency Safety Programs – 3 kHz to 300 GHz. SC2 is working on a revision of C95.7 extending the frequency below 3 kHz. The new standard C95.7-2022: IEEE Standard for Electromagnetic Energy Safety Programs, 0 Hz to 300 GHz is to be published in March 2023.

SC3: Exposure Limits for 0-3 kHz

This subcommittee, organized in 1991 with 75 members from 11 countries, developed IEEE C95.6-2002 “IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, 0 to 3 kHz” (reaffirmed in 2007). The exposure limits in this standard were derived to minimize effects associated with electrostimulation. SC3 is now working jointly with SC4 to maintain the C95.1 standard.

SC4: Exposure Limits for 3 kHz-300 GHz

This subcommittee has the longest history in developing RF exposure standards. Its predecessor published the first RF exposure limits in 1966 as USAS C95.1-1966. The current version is IEEE C95.1-2019 “IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz”. In July 2009, IEEE and the NATO Standardization Agency signed an agreement to develop a standard to replace NATO STANAG 2345 MED (EDITION 3) – “Evaluation and Control of Personnel Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields – 3 kHz to 300 GHz.” SC3 and SC4 worked jointly to combine IEEE C95.6-2002 and IEEE C95.1-2005—published as IEEE C95.1-2345-2014 “IEEE Standard for Military Workplaces—Force Health Protection Regarding Personnel Exposure to Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz.” The SC3/4 are working on a revision of the C95.1-2345-2014.

SC5: Electro-Explosive Devices

SC5 had one standard, IEEE C95.4-2002 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Determining Safe Distances from Radio Frequency Transmitting Antennas When Using Electric Blasting Caps During Explosive Operations,” which is no longer in service. The subcommittee now has changed the name to “Other EM Exposure Safety Issues”. A new work scope is to be developed.

SC6: EMF Dosimetry Modeling

The goal of SC6 is to resolve uncertainties related to numerical models that calculate electric fields induced within the body by external electromagnetic fields or contact currents from 0 to 300 GHz in response to the spatial and temporal characteristics of the induced fields. Experimental verification will be relevant. The subcommittee produces position/review papers that will guide the development and revision of human exposure limits, identify procedures to determine assessment with published limits, and identify research needs.

*Free C95.1 standards: Under the sponsorship of US Air Force, Army, and Navy, several IEEE C95 standards are available at no cost through the “IEEE Get Program (http://standards.ieee.org/about/get/index.html).

Table 1. IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety: TC95 standards