ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF RADIOFREQUENCY POWER DENSITY WITH DISTANCE FROM TELECOMMUNICATION BASE TRANSMISSION MASTS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The environmental pollution and health consequences of exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted from base transmission masts (BTMs) have become an issue of concern due to the increasing number of base mast installations. A Trifield EMF meter was used in this work to measure power density at altitudes of 1.5 and 1.7 m above the ground for varying distances ranging from 0 – 100 m away from 29 masts variously sited in the study area. Distances between the telecommunication masts from the nearest buildings were also measured. The results obtained range from 0.0902 to 20.000 mWm-2 at 1.5
m and 0.1372 to 20.000 mWm-2 at 1.7 m. These results of the power density show that the measured values are low relative to the 4500 mWm-2and 9000 mWm-2for GSM900 and GSM1800 stipulated by International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These indicate that exposure of the populace in the Southern part of Delta State to Non-Ionising Radiation (NIR) does not pose any radiological threat. The Nigerian Communication Commission and the National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency safety regulations of 5 and 10 m respectively were also violated by 65 % of the masts in this study