1. Risk to the health and safety of people surrounding the neighbourhoods

The Authority recognizes the potential health hazards emanating from electromagnetic field (EMF) radiations from radio station installations such as GSM and FM & TV broadcasting towers. With more than 1,300 base stations installed in the last ten years alone, it reasonable to expect environmental and health concerns from the members of the public.
In order to safeguard the health of people living in locations around the radiocommunication stations, the Authority has set rules and standards in collaboration with international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The Authority has also closely followed the work of the International Committee on Non-ionising Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) whose 40 years of research work produced important documentation on human hazard exposure limits as well as potential health effects of EMF.WHO concluded that apart from the thermal effects such as localised body heating and tempers, there are NO known health effects directly attributable to EMF. However, some scientific reports pointed to Extremely Low Frequency Radiations from power lines to be a
significant contributor to increased cases of Leukaemia among children.Furthermore, WHO reported that it has been observed that certain populations like those of Canada are more sensitive to EMF exposure than other populations where studies have been done. In Africa no such  population studies have carried out.
Against this background of lack of directly attributable evidence of EMF on cancer and reproductive anomalies, many regulators around the world, including the Communications Authority, have taken a precautionary approach towards such tower installations. Although the Zambian legal and policy framework does not recognise non-ionizing radiations as a health hazard, the Authority has put in place installation guidelines to mitigate possible health hazards arising from the radiocommunication stations.

2.Level of risk due to electronic, electrical and/or mechanical failure of the installations

The Authority is concerned about possible occurrence of such failures if good engineering practice and workmanship is not applied. It is for this reason that the Authority developed new guidelines including EMF assessment to be applied when approving the radiocommunication stations in accordance with the Radiocommunications Act Cap 169 of the laws of Zambia.
Site installations require approvals not only from the Department of Communications (DCA) and CAZ but also local authorities in terms of right of ways and other byelaws.

3. Possible precautionary measures that should be taken at the planning stage of such developments

Local authorities should work with ZICTA and DCA in awarding permits for tower constructions. The Communications Authority is ready to work with the local authorities on setting rules and conditions of tower construction.
A holistic approach needs to be taken to bring in key stakeholders like CAZ, ECZ, DCA, MOH and Ministry of Local government so as to amend the existing legal and policy framework to recognise EMF as potential health hazards and hence the need for precautionary measures.