Assessment of Radiofrequency Exposure in the Vicinity of School Environments in Crete Island, South Greece

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the radiofrequency exposure levels in the vicinity of nursery and primary schools at the northwest part of Crete island in Greece. Moreover, the compliance with the exposure limits, according to Greek legislation, was investigated. A total of 396 in situ frequency-selective and broadband measurements were conducted around 69 schools, classified in urban and suburban environments, in the range of 27–3000 MHz (subdivided in seven frequency bands). The measured value of the electric field strength (V/m) was recorded and, subsequently, the exposure ratio was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed in order to analyze and evaluate the data. In addition, a worst-case scenario was examined by considering the highest measured exposure level around each school. The statistical tests indicated that the mean and median values of the exposure ratio, even in the worst-case scenario, were found well below 1 for all frequency bands. The calculated distributions of the electric field measurements demonstrated that almost 90% of the latter were below 1 V/m, with the majority of values lying in the range of 0.5–1 V/m. The main contributors to the total exposure were the mobile communication frequencies and broadcasting, while the exposure was greater in urban than in suburban environments.

How Much Exposure From 5G Towers Is Radiated Over Children, Teenagers, Schools and Hospitals?

“…We then move our attention on the works tailored to the evaluation of BS exposure over schools and/or medical centers [5], [15]- [19]. More in depth, Gallastegi et al [15] perform a thorough assessment of pre-5G exposure over places in which children spend most of their time (including schools), by performing spot measurements.…”

“…EMF levels well below the maximum exposure limits are observed. Kapetanakis et al [5] estimate EMF levels in proximity to kinder-gardens and schools, by considering both urban and suburban environments. The authors perform a set of broad-band and narrowband measurements, by considering pre-5G frequencies up to 3 [GHz].…”

“…Summarizing, [5], [15]- [19] indicate that the measured pre-5G exposure over schools and hospitals is highly influenced by pre-5G BSs. Although we recognize the importance of the aforementioned measurement-based approaches, in this work we design a new methodology for the numerical assessment of exposure over schools and medical centers.…”

“…In this way, we are able to analyze the predicted exposure levels over the years, in parallel with the utilization level of the 5G network. Moreover, most of previous works are focused on pre-5G sources [5], [15]- [19]. In contrast to them, in this work we evaluate the exposure from 5G sources, including mm-Wave antennas, which are currently being installed in different countries in the world.…”

“…However, generalized bans were promoted by several Italian municipalities to deny the installation of 5G sites [3], which required the central government to emanate new laws against such bans. In addition, the minimization of exposure from cellular towers in social, recreation and medical places is pursued by different national regulations (see e.g., Italy [4] and Greece [5] regulations), on the basis of a supposed "precautionary" principle.…”