What is time averaging and how does it apply to exposure?
Safety Code 6 and most other RF exposure standards specify “time-averaged” maximum exposure limits. The purpose is to smooth out the short-term highs and lows of the exposure intensity to arrive at an “average” with which to compare to the limit. The averaging time is the time period over which exposure is averaged. The averaging time should not be interpreted as the maximum allowable exposure time. In Safety Code 6, it is permissible to exceed the recommended exposure limits for short periods of time as long as the average exposure over the averaging time (0.1 hour or 6 minutes) does not exceed the limit.
Health Canada’s guideline document and most other RF exposure standards specify “time-averaged” maximum exposure limits. The purpose is to “smooth out” the short-term highs and lows of the exposure intensity to arrive at an “average” with which to compare to the limit. The averaging time is the time period over which exposure is averaged. The averaging time should not be interpreted as the maximum allowable exposure time. As per Health Canada’s guideline document, it is permissible to exceed the recommended exposure limits for short periods of time as long as the average exposure over the averaging time (0.1 hour or 6 minutes) does not exceed the limit.
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