Evaluation of GSM Radiation Power Density in Three Major Cities in Nigeria

Authors: B. O. Ayinmode, I. P. Farai

Abstract:

The levels of maximum power density of GSM signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja were studied. Measurements were made with a calibrated hand held spectrum analyzer 200m away from 271 base stations, at 1.2m to the ground level. The maximum GSM 900 signal power density was 139.63μW/m2 in Lagos, 162.49μW/m2 in Ibadan and 5411.26μW/m2 in Abuja. Also, the maximum GSM 1800 signal power density was 296.82μW/m2 in Lagos, 116.82μW/m2 in Ibadan and 1263.00μW/m2 in Abuja. The level of power density of GSM 900 and GSM 1800 signals in the cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja are far less than the recommended value of 4.5W/m2 for GSM 900 and 9.0 W/m2 for GSM 1800 by the ICNRP guideline. It can be concluded that exposure to GSM signals in these cities cannot contribute to the health detriments caused by thermal effects of radiofrequency radiation.

Keywords: Radiofrequency, power density, radiation exposure, base stations (BTS).

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1337865

References:

[1] S. O. Olatinwo, O. Shoewu, and N. T. Makanjuola, "Radio Wave Signal Attenuation in a GSM Network (EPE as a Case Study)," The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 15, pp. 114 - 124, 2014.
[2] A. Linhares, M. A. B. Terada, and A. J. M. Soares, "Estimating the Location of Maximum Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields Associated with a Radiocommunication Station," Journal of Microwaves, Optoelectronics and Electromagnetic Application, vol. 12, pp. 141-157, 2013.
[3] R. Chitranshi, R. K. Mehrotra, and P. Pancoli, "Analysis of Cell Tower Radiation, RF Safety and Practical Realization of Compliance Distance," International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, vol. 4, pp. 1 - 6, 2014.
[4] R. K. singh, "Assessment of Electromagnetic Radiation from Base Station Antennas," Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics, vol. 41, pp. 557-565, 2012.
[5] M. O. Bello, "Effects of the Location of GSM Base Stations on Satisfaction of Occupiers and Rental Value of Proximate Residential Property," Computer and Information Science, vol. 3, pp. 159-170, 2010.
[6] ICNIRP, "Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)," Health physics, vol. 74, pp. 494-522, 1998.
[7] C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design, 3rd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
[8] P. Baltrenas and R. Buckus, "Indoor measurements of the Power Density close to Mobile Station Antenna," presented at ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, the 8th International Conference Vilnius, Lithuania, 2011.
[9] B. O. Ayinmode and I. P. Farai, "Study of variations radiofrequency power density from mobile phone base stations with distance," Radiation Protection Dosimetry vol. 156, pp. 424 – 428, 2013.
[10] NCC, Nigerian Telecommunication Communication http://www.ncc.gov.ng., 2014.
[11] P. I. Enyinna and G. O. Avwir, "Characterization of the Radiofrequency Radiation Potential of Alakahia and Choba Communities, Nigeria," Working and Living Environmental Protection, vol. 7, pp. 25 - 31, 2010.
[12] B. O. Ayinmode and I. P. Farai, "Measurement and Method in Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure Assessments," The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 14, pp. 110 - 118, 2013.
[13] S. Sivani and D. Sudarsanam, "Impacts of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) from cell phone towers and wireless devices on biosystem and ecosystem – a review," Biology and Medicine, vol. 4, pp. 202-216, 2012.
[14] A. D. Asiegbu and O. O. Ogunlaja, "Preliminary investigation of RF Exposure levels from Mobile Telephone Base Stations in Abia, south east Nigeria," International Journal of Current Research, vol. 11, pp. 47-53, 2010.
[15] NPC, "2006 Population and Housing census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2006: Priority Tables, Volume II," 2006.