Estimation of Radiofrequency Power Density around GSM Base Stations in Some Selected Parts of Lagos State

Abstract

There have been growing concerns among members of the public about the health hazards that may be associated with radiofrequency emissions from GSM base stations which are sited in the public domain. This study estimates the level of maximum power density to which the populace living within 200 m radius of GSM base stations of different service providers in some parts of Lagos are exposed to. A total number of 200 masts randomly selected across 6 local Government Areas were considered for this study. Measurements were made at an interval of 20 m starting from the foot of each base station to 200 m at 1.5 m above the ground level, using a handheld TES-92 Electrosmog meter, in which the calibration factors provided by the manufacturer were used accordingly. The measured power density ranged between 2.4 µW/m² and 71530 µW/m². The mean value of the measured power density was 2113.96 µW/m². Result of the study shows that the maximum power density of 71530 µW/m² is by far less than the International Commission on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) values of 4.5 W/m² and 9.0 W/m² for GSM 900 and GSM 1800 respectively. It is therefore concluded that RF emission from GSM base stations in the selected parts of Lagos State may pose no health risk to members of the public within this area.

Keywords: Radiofrequency emissions, Health hazards, Base stations