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Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are found wherever electricity is used. They are a natural by-product of the use of electricity and occur around all electric wires and electrical appliances.

For health effects associated with EMFs, we are guided by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines For Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1Hz – 100 kHz).

More information on electromagnetic fields and the effects of exposure is available from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) –

 

All lasers in Western Australia, regardless of laser class, must comply with the requirements of the laser safety standard. All users of lasers must comply with the requirements of the Radiation Safety Act and Radiation Safety (General) Regulations.

Laser pointers may not be used or possessed by members of the general public unless they are class 1 or class 2 (power output up to 1 mW).

Further information on laser pointers can be obtained from the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

 

In Western Australia all microwave ovens sold must comply with the requirements of the relevant Australian Standard. There is no legislative requirement for regular use/domestic type microwave ovens to be tested.

More information on microwave ovens and health is available from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

 

For health effects associated with mobile phones and radiofrequency radiation we are guided by the Australian Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields – 100 kHz to 300 GHz (RPS S-1) published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

The standards recommend maximum exposure levels for the general public as opposed to recommending safe distances.

For more information, see –

 

Smoke alarms or smoke detectors are either non-radioactive photoelectric type devices or ionisation devices containing a radioactive source called Americium‑241 (241Am or Am‑241).

The amount of radioactive material in each household ionisation smoke alarm is extremely small, usually 37 kilobecquerels (37 kBq) or 1 microcurie (1 µCi) of Am‑241. This can be confirmed by reading the yellow label on the underside of the device, which is required by the Australian Standard. The use of household smoke alarms is exempt from the need for licence and registration under the Radiation Safety Act.

 

Disposal

Individual or small numbers of household ionisation smoke alarms may be disposed via normal household rubbish.

If you have a large number of ionisation smoke alarms to dispose of in Western Australia, or if they are the older industrial type that may contain more than 40 kBq of Am‑241 or any other radioisotope (such as Ra‑226), please contact Radiation Health. These should not be disposed of in household rubbish.

 

Further information

Additional information on radioactivity in smoke alarms is available from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

 

As of 1 January 2016, the possession and operation of sun-tanning units for commercial purposes was banned in Western Australia. The use of a sun tanning unit for commercial purposes incurs a penalty as prescribed under section 25(1) of the Radiation Safety Act 1975.

A person can possess and operate a sun-tanning unit within their own private residence for personal use only. The use of a sun-tanning unit for either fee or reward is prohibited.

For further information including on the health issues surrounding solaria, please see –

A copy of the Australia/New Zealand Standard for Solaria for Cosmetic Purposes (AS/NZS 2635) can be obtained from Standards Australia. Note that a fee may be payable to obtain the Standard.

 

For occupational health effects associated with ultraviolet radiation (UV) we are guided by the Australian Radiation Protection Standard for Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation (2006) (RPS12) published by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

Research into ultraviolet radiation is on-going, however there is considerable data available to establish various health effects from ultraviolet radiation exposure.

For more information, see –

 

Last Updated: 18/02/2022