Vol. 7, No 1, 2010 pp. 25 - 31
UDC 613.648.2:613.62(662.6 Niger)
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION POTENTIAL OF ALAKAHIA AND CHOBA COMMUNITIES, NIGERIA
P. I. Enyinna*, G.O. Avwir
Department of Physics, Rivers State University of Science and Technology,
500001 Port Harcourt, Nigeria
ienyinna@yahoo.com
Abstract. A Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR) survey of Alakahia and Choba Communities of Rivers State has been carried out using a Radio Frequency Field Strength meter and a Geographical Positioning System (GPS). The measurements were carried out around twelve GSM base Stations at maximum distance of 100 metres from each base Station. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) around the surveyed areas was computed from the measured power densities. The results obtained showed a range of maximum power density and SAR of between 0.15W/cm2 and 3.13W/cm2, and 50.6W/kg and 1050.05W/kg respectively for the twelve surveyed base stations. These results are below the Federal Communication Commission's recommended permissible limits of 570W/cm2 and 1000W/cm2 (power density) or 1.9 x 105W/kg and 3.4 x 105W/kg (SAR) for GSM 900 and GSM 1800 respectively. However, some of the values obtained are within the range opined by previous researchers to have possible health side-effects when individuals are continuously exposed to RFR and at very close ranges. Also, the risks associated with continuous exposure to RFR, especially at very close range are discussed and the public and occupationally exposed people are advised to avoid residing very close to the GSM base stations to avert excessive exposure to radio frequency radiation.
Key Words: radiofrequency radiation, field strength, measurements
ODLIKE MOGUĆNOSTI RADIOFREKVENTNOG ZRAČENJA U ZAJEDNICAMA ALAKAHIA I CHOBA, NIGERIJA
Analiza radiofrekventnog zračenja (RFR) u zajednicama Alakahia i Choba u oblasti Rivers State Analiza radiofrekventnog zračenja (RFR) u zajednicama Alakahia i Choba u oblasti Rivers State je izvršena uz upotrebu metra za utvrđivanje jačine polja radiofrekventnog zračenja i GPS (engl. Geographical Positioning System (GPS)) sistema. Merenja su vršena u okolini 12 GSM stanica na maksimalnoj razdaljini od 100 metara od svake bazne stanice. Vrednosti specifične stope apsorpcije (engl. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)) u okolini ispitivanih mesta su izračunate na osnovu izmerenih gustina snage. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na raspon maksimalne gustine snage i vrednosti SAR između 0.15mW/cm2 i 3.13mW/cm2, i 50.6mW/kg i 1050.05mW/kg, tim redosledom, za 12 ispitivanih baznih stanica. Ove vrednosti su u okviru granica dozvoljenih vrednosti koje je propisala državna komisija (engl. Federal Communication Commission), od 570mW/cm2 i 1000mW/cm2 (gustina snage) ili 1.9 x 105mW/kg i 3.4 x 105mW/kg (SAR) za GSM 900 i GSM 1800, tim redosledom. Ipak, neke od dobijenih vrednosti se nalaze u rasponu za koje neki naučnici smatraju da mogu imati štetne posledice po zdravlje u slučaju pojedinaca koji su neprekidno i neposredno izloženi RFR. Takođe, rizici koji se dovode u vezu sa učestalim izlaganjem RFR, naročito neposrednim, su takođe razmatrani u radu. Stanovništvo u tim oblastima, kao i ljudi koji su usled posla izloženi tim uticajima, bi trebalo da izbegavaju predugo zadržavanje u blizini baznih stanica i kao i da umanje izlaganje radiofrekventnom zračenju.
Ključne reči: radiofrekventno zračenje, jačina polja, merenja