Evaluation of the exposure of 4.5g mobile phone base stations in different band radio frequencies in urban center and rural areas in Turkey

Abstract

Mobile phone base stations (MPBS) are electronic communication equipment, the number of which is rapidly increasing with the increasing need for mobile data use with developing technology. Since the middle of the 21st century, the effects of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) emitted from base stations on human health have begun to be investigated. Although some of these studies have explained the harmful effects of RF-EMF on human health, others have stated that its effects on human health are limited and therefore contradictory results have emerged. RF-EMFs can have effects by transferring energy to human tissues, increasing temperature and changing the way cell membranes work. These effects may vary inversely with the proximity of MPBSs to residential areas and their safety distances. In this regard, rules such as location at least 300 m away from places with high population density (schools, hospitals, shopping malls, etc.) and at least 40 m above the ground are required. In this study, RF-EMF values of base stations installed both in Rize city center and rural areas in Turkey in different 4.5G frequency bands (GSM 900 DL- 1800 DL-2100 DL) were analyzed by real-time selective area analyzer (NARDA- It is measured using SRM 3006). The safety distances in the production/label values of these base stations, mathematically calculated EMF and measurement values were compared for different distances. Base station production/label and real-time measurement values of RF-EMF values emitted by MPBSs in urban centers and rural areas are determined and their effects on human health are evaluated.