The Hazards of Non-Ionizing Radiation of Telecommunication Mast in an Urban Area of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The health hazards of non-ionizing radiation from telecommunication mast on the exposed community were assessed using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The socio-demographic pattern and hazard profile of the respondent were documented. The results of the data showed that majority of respondents (60.8%) were youth within age range of 20 – 30 years. Hazard profile showed majority (62%) having different symptoms with headache being the most frequent (51.6%), similar to other established findings. There is a significant synergistic relationship between high voltage cable and telecom mast on the health effect, with p value < 0.05. It was also shown that proximity and duration of exposure to mast radiation is directly proportional to hazard effect, with p value < 0.05. This study therefore establishes that there are health implications of exposure to mast radiation and minimizing them will go a long way to improve healthy living.

Keywords: Hazard, non-ionizing radiation, telecommunication, mast, electromagnetic radiation, radio-frequency radiation, exposure, wireless telephone, antenna.