Investigation of public exposure to radiated EMF from cellular base stations: a case of Dodoma urban
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Dodoma
Abstract
There has been a proliferation of base station towers in recent years due to an
expansion of mobile telephone networks. This has been accompanied by an increase
in the level of community concern about possible health effects from the radio
frequency (RF) radiation emissions from antennae mounted on the base station
towers. The researcher aimed at measuring RF electromagnetic energy (EME) levels
and compare with the maximum permitted limit for general public exposure given by
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The
researcher used questionnaires and field measurement methods to obtain both
qualitative and quantitative data required in the study. The questionnaire results
revealed that there is much of concern from the public on the EMF health effect
caused by living near cellular mobile phones. Then measurements of RF EME
emission levels from cellular Base stations in six sensitive Dodoma urban locations
using the frequency selective Narda 3006 equipment were conducted. The results
clearly demonstrate that the RF EME emissions from cellular base stations are
several orders of magnitude below the maximum permitted limit contrary to the
public perception. For example the maximum Electric field strength obtained was
4.0210V/m or 6.59 % of the limit for the general public exposure given by ICNIRP
guidelines. This level shows that the people living closer to BTS are safe from health
hazards which may be caused by EMF exposure.
Description
Dissertation (MSc Telecommunications Engineering)
Keywords
Public exposure, Radiated EMF, EMF, Cellular base stations, Cellular base, Dodoma urban, EME emission, EMF health effect, Radio frequency radiation, RF radiation
Citation
Elias, E. (2013). Investigation of public exposure to radiated EMF from cellular base stations: a case of Dodoma urban. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma