Health Hazards Associated with Electric and Magnetic Field Intensities around Mobile Base Stations in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work was carried out to assess the health hazards associated with exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile base stations (MBS) within Katsina, Nigeria. Seventy seven MBS were identified through reconnaissance survey. Received radiated power was measured at a distance of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80m from the MBS using a handheld B and K precision spectrum analyser. Electric and magnetic field intensities (E and H) were calculated. E (mV/m) and H (μA/m) had average values of; 21.03 and 55.78 for MTN; 9.41 and 24.96 for GLO; 2.33 and 6.18, for Etisalat; 18.32 and 48.62 for Airtel. Our results indicated that the general public exposure from radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from all the considered mobile base stations is within the acceptable threshold of 61 V/m for Electric field intensity and 0.16A/m for Magnetic field intensity.

Keywords: Mobile base stations, Radiation, Katsina, Health hazard, Electric field, Magnetic field