Measurement and Modelling of Electromagnetic Exposure from GSM Base Stations in Kampala Uganda

Abstract

Electromagnetic radiations exposure from mobile phone base stations to public health has attracted the attention of many researchers. An extensive survey of GSM exposure in terms of power density in the urban environment of the city of Kampala has been performed. This wide survey was done using the drive test method where a car running at low speed, power supply unit, a calibrated Aaronia Spectran HF-6065 V4 spectrum analyzer, an Aaronia OmniLOG70600 antennas and an Aaronia GPS Logger were used in power density measurements. Maximum power densities of 0.0029Wm^-2 for GSM900 and 0.0013Wm^-2 for GSM1800 were recorded. Exposure data obtained was lognormally distributed. The investigated power density levels were compared with the international safety level. The measured exposure levels were found to be below the recommended safety levels as provided by international agencies such as the international Commission for Non-Ionising Radiations (ICNIRP).

Keywords: GSM, Power density, Exposure, ICNIRP, Kampala