Analysis of the performance of vegetation barriers to reduce electromagnetic pollution

Abstract

Public fear of exposure to electromagnetic fields has led to many countries introducing legislation on the topic. Some have even introduced ‘sensitive areas’ where field levels should be significantly reduced. This study presents an efficient and ecological method to reduce the exposure to electromagnetic fields for the mobile global system for mobile communication (GSM) and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) frequency bands. We propose the use of tree (or bush) barriers as a shielding method around places that may need to be protected. A major measurement campaign has provided a significant amount of data to characterise the performance of such soft walls. The campaign involves seven vegetation species and five different barrier configurations. Furthermore, a parametrical characterisation of the attenuation levels achieved with this method is presented and validated. This aids in choosing the configuration barriers and the vegetation species that provide the desired attenuation levels in exclusion zones.