Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: December | Volume: 10 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 157-162
Evaluation of Power Density Radiation from Selected Mobile Base Stations in Ogbomoso, South-Western Nigeria
Olukunle Olaonipekun Oladapo1, Olatunde Micheal Oni2, Abraham Adewale Aremu3, Olaoluwa Peter Oyero4, Mustapha Kola Lawal5, Oluseye David Dare6
1Lecturer I, Dept. of Science Laboratory Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria
2Professor, Dept. of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso,
Oyo state, Nigeria
3Leturer II, Department of Physics with Electronics, Dominion University, Ibadan.
4Instructor, Dept. of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso,
Oyo state, Nigeria
5Assistant Lecturer, Dept. of Science Laboratory Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria
6Assistant Lecturer, Department of Physics with Electronics, Dominion University, Ibadan.
Corresponding Author: Olukunle Olaonipekun Oladapo
ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Utilization of mobile phone is tremendously increasing in the society of today, leading to the proliferation of mobile base stations (MBS) which are known Radio-Frequency (RF) emitters. Proximity of mobile base stations to residential building and office buildings are of public health concern. The aim of the study is to assess the Radio-Frequency radiation exposure levels in terms of power density from base stations.
Method: A handheld, three-axis, RF meter was used to measure the values of power density at 25 meter intervals up to 150 meter from base stations. The highest values of power density of were recorded at closest proximity to the base station while the least values were recorded at highest distance (150 m) to the base stations. Generally, the measured power densities decreases as one moves away from the base station. Comparing RF radiation emanating from all Mobile Base Station (MBS), Network-3 MBS in most cases recorded the highest power density values at all radial distances from the foot of the base station.
Results: All the values of the power densities measured in this study fall below the recommended permissible power density exposure for the general public of 4.5 W/m2 and 9 W/m2 for frequencies of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz respectively set by ICNIRP.
Conclusion: The EMF exposure from all the base stations investigated in this research work which all fell below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP guidelines do not appear to have any known consequences on human health in the area investigated.
Key words: Radiofrequency, power density, mobile base station (MBS), electromagnetic fields, Ogbomoso.