Analysis and Evaluation of Specific Absorption Rate of GSM Signal in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

There is a growing concern in the world that residents close to GSM base station facilities are exposed to electromagnetic radiation which causes different health illness like cancer, leukemia, memory lost, dizziness, fatigue, etc. This study puts to rest the position on the effect of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from GSM masts on human health. In this research work, the evaluation and assessment of radio frequency radiation in five selected mobile base stations facilities in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria were carried out using an EMF meter for measurement of Electric field. The measurements of the radio frequency radiation with the EMF meter was conducted from 0 – 300m away from the selected base transceivers stations facilities of the selected telecommunication operators (MTN, Globacom and Airtel) in Nigeria. The data obtained from the research were analyzed using Specific Absorption Rate formula to establish whether with time exposure to RF radiation will have negative impact on human health. The normal specific absorption rate (SAR) and the Power Density for the general public whole body was assessed from the measured electric field strength and the results were compared with that of International Commission on Non Ionization Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).The results showed that the average amount of SAR for the selected five base transceiver station (BTS) facilities were within the range of 0.0037 W/kg – 0.0084 W/kg and the power density 1.5183 W/m2 – 9.5083 W/m2. These values are lower than the recommended limit by ICNIRP which is 0.08w/kg for the human body. This study has shown that there is inconsequential effect on human health because the non-ionizing electromagnetic energy has no sufficient energy to affect any part of human body for the residents living close to the selected BTS facilities of the various telecommunication providers.