Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and Human Health: A Study on the Health Effect of EMR from GSM Base Stations in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria had maintained substantial intensification in the perspective of the mobile communication utilization, services improvement and sustainable broadband regime and this development is presumed to persist into the conceivable future with the evolution of the contemporary 6G, 5G, 4G and 3G mobile communication technologies. The current mobile communication technologies intensification had equally brought the unavoidable multiplications in the ratio of the base service stations which also had raised the public concern over the considerable health hazards of the radioactive emissions from the communication systems. Notwithstanding the assurances of the several regulatory agencies, the World Health Organization and service providers, confirming compliance and strict observance to the international exposure standards in implementation, the apprehension over the electromagnetic spectrum emission is increasing. To that effect, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) had made recommendations that established the intensities of the radio frequency (RF) exposures which are considered harmless to the community of users. This paper assessed the radio frequency radiation from mobile base stations in some selected states in north western Nigeria. The methodology employed for the study is measurement and instrumentation method. Handheld spectrum analyzer (Aaronia HF 4040V3) and a wheel meter were used for the measurement of electromagnetic emissions from selected Airtel, Glo, MTN and Etisalat base stations at capital city of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states respectively. It was found from the study that 17 to 70mW/m 2 is the average electromagnetic radiation emitted in the study area, which showed total compliance of exposure limit by the GSM service providers in the selected states. The result confirmed the environmental safety level of the RF energy maintained within the general public and that are predictably low to produce any significant health hazards to human.

Modeling Electromagnetic Field Radiation Variability for Minimization of Exposure Rate in Public Health Environments: A Machine Learning Approach

“…Research and technological evidences show that Electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted from mobile communication base stations, are distinctly categorized into types: ionizing and non-ironizing radiations [18]; [13]; [11] or Higher frequency EMFs and low to mid frequency EMFs [6] based on their electromagnetic energies where one is capable of breaking chemical bonds, whereas the other is not, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Fields of different energies or frequencies interact with the body in different ways [7] hence, ionizing radiations need extensive radiological safeguards, non-ionizing radiation on the other hand, do not and this is a testament to the variance in their hazard potential.…”

Real-time monitoring tool for heart rate and oxygen saturation in young adults

“…However, long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from RF devices can potentially have negative effects on human  ISSN: 2302-9285 health and may also impact the performance of medical instruments. Additionally, RF devices are not always secure and can be affected by inter-channel interferences, which can compromise their reliability [13], [14]. As a result, there is a growing need for alternative technologies that can complement or replace RF-based devices, while ensuring the safety and reliability of healthcare data collection.…”

Prediction of electromagnetic power density emitted from GSM base stations by using multiple linear regression

“…Existing technologies and wireless communication services have become the source of electromagnetic pollution due to electromagnetic radiation [1]. Considering that mobile communication technologies such as 6G, 5G, 4G and 3G [2]will continue to develop in the future, it is an undeniable fact that this situation has become a part of our daily lives [3]. With the increase in population in recent years, the number of base stations has increased rapidly in parallel with the significant increase in the usage rates of these services [4].…”

“…One of these institutions, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has determined the allowable limits for radio frequency (RF) (see Table 1). ICNIRP's guidelines have been adopted by most countries of the world, especially developed countries [2], [11], [12] Table 1. The Maximum Permissible Exposure Limit of PD [12] Each country has limit values for electromagnetic radiation according to its own standards.…”