INVESTIGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS BY GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS BASE STATIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA CAMPUS

ABSTRACT

Thousands of Base Station Antennas (BSA) have been installed in Nigeria to support the development of mobile telephony. At the same time there is a public concern about the electromagnetic fields radiated by these antennas, particularly there is a great fear by those living in the vicinity of these antennas, of being exposed to the  harmful effects of this radiation. This fear has created the need to investigate and establish the level of radiation and  also  determine     whether  this  level  is harmful  or not based  on the  International Committee on Non-Ionization Radio Protection (ICNIRP) Standards. In this study efforts were geared towards the development of a mathematical model necessary for simulation process that could be used to  investigate the impact and compare the result with a field measurement values. The analysis of the result provided information on the radiation level in the university of Nigeria environment. The results showed that Odim Street recorded

the maximum power density of 0.4699 mW/m2, while Staff Club recorded the minimum

power density of 0.2056 mW/m2.  The maximum power density value obtained occurred at

45 m away from the foot of base station antenna. When this power density level  was compared with the international safety level standard of about 4.5W/m2, the result showed indicate  a low radiation,  which  is 0.024 percent  of the safety level.  Simulation  result produced  8% value  higher  than  the  measured  (field)  result.  Finally,  the  low  level of radiation obtained from the study shows that the Operators complied with the established guidelines.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.0 Preamble

It  has  been  observed  that  the  Global  System  for  Mobile  communications  (GSM) technology of wireless communication produces constant pulsed microwave radiation [1] The cellular base stations are transmitting continuously even when  nobody is using the phone. We know from a variety of scientific studies, including  microwave engineering that significant  biological effects result from non-thermal  effects of extremely periodic pulsed HF radiation [1].

There  are  certain  standard  guidelines  that  are  used  to  conduct  HF  public  exposure measurements  [2].  These  guidelines  are  based  on International  Commission  for  Non- Ionization Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommendations, which only take into account the risk of thermal effect of high energy [1]. And this high frequency radiation exposure measurement  is conducted  to observe the  percentage  of the current standard with only broadband (not frequency selective) measurements. Based on this, only in very few cases one or more percent  of the  (thermal)  guideline  value is reached  or exceeded  close to antenna sites. It should  be  noted that exposure recommendations  based on non-thermal effects are by far lower by many magnitudes. Frequency selective measurements are also necessary to observe the cellular base station downlink frequencies and differentiate them from other radiation sources as FM radio or TV transmitters [1]. Therefore, very limited information  is  available  on  the  exposure  to  cellular  base  station  radiation  around residential areas at different distances and directions to the antenna sites.

1.1 General Description

In the early history of life and time of man on earth, lightning bolts were the mankind’s only electromagnetic  hazard [1]. But with the electrical/electronic  revolution of the last century,  many  new  hazards  have  emerged  involving  radiation  from  power  lines  at frequencies of 50 and 60Hz and radio transmitters at  kilohertz to gigahertz frequencies. The question of hazard also comes from the unintentional exposure to radiation from high- power radio, FM, TV, radar, and wireless transmitters [1],[3]. Of greater concern are the advent of GSM Technology and the proliferation of communication masts both in rural areas and urban cities. The generality of the populace are becoming so uncomfortable and are  daily  expressing  their  fears  on  the  possible  ugly  consequences  of  the  emissions

(radiations) from these masts. This study offers a perspective on the potential implications for human health exposure to the pulsed microwave  frequency  currently used in GSM communications, which differ from that currently espoused by mainstream science. It also provides a much more holistic insight into the essential elements of the problem.

It has been established that development projects, especially those linked with science and technology, have advantages and disadvantages [4]. Therefore, caution should always be taken  when  siting  such  projects.  In  order  for  development  projects  to  provide  an opportunity for health promotion, the process needs to avoid or minimize negative impacts on the physical environment. To attain this goal demands that health hazards associated with development projects are comprehensively assessed in a timely manner and that the appropriate    mitigation    measures    are    implemented    to   avert   ugly   consequence. Notwithstanding  the  derivable  benefits  from  such  projects,  the  health  and  life  of  the citizenry far  more  out-weigh any desirable  benefits.  Protecting  and  promoting  human health and improving the welfare of the population for a better quality of life should be the guiding  principles  towards  the  acceptance  of  any new  technology  intending  to  foster economic development the world over, if the government really cares for her citizenry.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Electromagnetic   Radiation   (EMR)   has  been  identified   to  have  adverse   effect   on biological/living  organisms  including  man [3],[5],[6].  GSM  base stations  radiate  these waves on their surrounding environment. The Proof on the level of this radiation has not been defined in Nigeria. The aim of this research therefore is to  determine the level of electromagnetic  radiations  by GSM base stations around  their immediate  environment, given the obvious contradictions and/or submissions of some researches with respect to its adverse effects on human health.

1.3 Objectives of the Research

      To develop a mathematical model that could be used to investigate the level  of electromagnetic   radiation  from  GSM  Base  Stations  (GBS)  using   Computer Simulation.

    To estimate the levels of the radiation at selected number of GBS at University of

Nigeria, Nsukka Campus using the mathematical model.

    To conduct actual measurements of the radiation at each GBS

      To compare the results of the field experiments (measurements) with the Simulated estimates.

    To  determine   the   level  of  compliance   with  international   safety   guidelines

[ICNIRP] by the GSM operators in the country.

1.4 Scope of the study

This study concerns itself only to the estimation of the radiation levels from GSM Base Stations (irrespective of the operators) at the far field using Computer Simulation. And to validate  field  measurement  results  from  GBS at UNN with the  estimated  results.  The research does not involve the investigation of the health implications of these radiations on humans.

1.5 Research Methodology

The research would be conducted using two integrated approaches namely: i) the use of mathematical  model to estimate the level of radiation and compute the power  density S.value, and ii) the measurement of the actual values of power density S using appropriate equipment and methodology. Simulation results are compared with field measurements.

1.6 Expected Results and Envisaged Contribution to Knowledge

This thesis gives quantitative analysis and assessment of the impact of  electromagnetic radiation  from GSM  Base Stations  around  residential  areas.  The  assessment  identifies quantitative  levels of the impact on the environment  and the  relationships  between the radiation levels and the technical specifications of antenna heights of the base stations.

1.7 Organization of the Thesis

The organization of the thesis is as follows: Chapter1 gives the general introductory part of the work, while Chapter 2 presents the literature review on antenna  characterization. Chapter 3 describes the methodology adopted in the study, while chapter 4 presents results and discussion. Finally, chapter 5 gives a summary of the study and its contribution(s) to knowledge, and suggestions for future work.

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