Assessment of Electromagnetic Radiation Effects and Safety Issues of GSM-900 and GSM-1800 Radio Frequencies – A Case Study of Akure, Nigeria
Abstract
As users of mobile phone are geometrically increasing all over the world, the numbers of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) base stations and operators are also growing, leading to increase in base stations distribution everywhere in the neighbourhood. This widespread of base stations has increased both the numbers of sources emitting electromagnetic fields, especially radio frequencies, and reactions concerns the effect of Radio Frequency (RF) radiated from GSM masts or antenna on human health. In order to investigate this health issue, measurement of RF emitted from four major GSM Operators' masts in Akure, Nigeria was conducted using RADEX RD1706 radiation monitor. The data measured were analysed and compared to international standards to scientifically establish possible adverse effect of RF radiation on human health. The result obtained shows that the average measured radiation values are approximately 0.002%, 0.0008% and 0.0003% of the standard safe values on the short-term, medium-term and long-term accumulated scales respectively, which implies that there is no convincing scientific evidence that the RF radiation from GSM networks may cause adverse health effects. In addition, the study shows that the radiation generated from the GSM masts or antenna is not directly proportional to the operating frequency.
Keywords: Ionizing radiation, Cellular network, Cells, Frequency Re-use, GSM, Base Stations
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