Determination of Power Density from Radiofrequency Exposure by Base Transceiver Stations and Implications for Ado-Ekiti Residents

Abstract

The non-ionizing (RF) energy from base transceiver stations (BTS) is radiated into space through its antennas. The Human Body Surface Area (HBSA) can significantly influence the coupling of electromagnetic fields with the body, thereby resulting to energy absorption, increase in body temperature and possibly affect some physiological parameters. The health implications of RF exposure from telecommunication mast are becoming important as base stations get increasingly installed. In this study, the power density (PD) was measured using Pro Triple Axis RF/High Frequency Meter (HF-B8G) at distance (10 – 110 m) in thirty (30) active base transceiver stations (BTS) in Ado-Ekiti. Parameters of health importance such as blood pressure (BP), body temperature and body mass index (BMI) of 300 subjects around the base stations were monitored for 30 days using calibrated instruments. These measurements were recorded at a minimum of six symmetric locations around each individual BTS, with the coordinates of each location noted using portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The correlations among PD, HBSA and physiological parameters of nutritional/health importance were done using SPSS Vs 18 at 0.01 and 0.05 levels of significance. The results indicated that PD ranged from 0.32 to 96.89 mW/m² while the average radiation received by HBSA ranged from 19.62 to 40.95 mWm^-2. For the three classes of subjects (adult male, adult female and children), the power density in the observed active 30 base stations were below ICNIRP recommended limits (4.7 W/m²). At 0.05 level of significance, PD correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure (DBP, r = 0.695), HBSA (r = 0.661- 0.904) and at 0.01 level, BMI also correlated with Age, HBSA and PD (r = 0.688 – 0.948). This suggested the possibility of the influence of these physiological parameters by exposure to RF which could cause potential health risk to the residents.