Temporal variation of exposure from radio-frequency electromagnetic fields around mobile communication base stations

Abstract

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) are subjected to a public perceived risk of adverse effects, and results from many epidemiology studies were largely inconclusive. Results of EMF measurements vary among researchers due to co-varieties of factors among which are temporal variations. This study assessed temporal variation of exposure from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from some selected MCBSs in Kuje Area Council, in Nigeria. The Mobile phone frequencies band considered in the study area are GSM 900 MHz, GSM 1800 MHz, and Wi-Fi 2400 MHz. Using a selective radiation spectral analyzer HF- 2025E, measurements of peak power densities and their corresponding time of occurrence were made. The result shows that the RF fields vary with time in different locations for various power densities. When the aggregate of maximum exposures was compared with the international commission on Non – ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRP) guidelines, they were found to be below the recommended limit.

Keywords

• Electromagnetic fields
• Radiofrequency
• Cell phone
• Temporal variation
• Power density