Investigation of Radio-frequency Power Density Distribution around GSM Mast in Keffi Town, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, an investigation of radiofrequency power density distribution around GSM mast in Keffi town, Nigeria was determined. Radiofrequency meter (Electrosmog ED- 155A) was used to measure the EM radiation at 50, 70, 90,110, 130, 150, 170, and 190 m away from mobile base stations. A total of fifteen mobile base stations were randomly selected in Keffi town covering about four network providers (MTN, Globacom, Etisalat, and Airtel), according to their proximity to buildings, number of antennas mounted on their masts, how close they are to other base stations and the population density around them.The result reveal that MBS5 was found to have the highest value of average power density compared to that of the remainder, with a contribution of about 16% (2908.38 µW/m2). The least contribution was recorded in MBS3 with only about 1% (173.71 μW/m2). The other MBS with significant contribution are MBS6 (15%), MBS11 (15%), MBS10 (13%), MBS8 (13%) and MBS13 (11%) with average power densities of 2878.72μW/m2, 2767.28μW/m2, 2385.43 μW/m2, 2382.70 μW/m2, and 1996.36 μW/m2 respectively. The findings reveal that the measured values of power densities across all the sites are well below the RF radiation exposure safety limit set by International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) when compared with the findings in this study. Therefore, RF radiation exposure from mobile base stations in Keffi town may pose no health risk to the people living within the area.