Experimental Assessment of Specific Absorption Rate Using Measured Electric Field Strength in Benson Idahosa University and Environs

Abstract

There has been growing concern in Nigeria and even the world at large that exposure to radiation from base stations and mobile handsets could lead to increased risk of illnesses such as cancer and may adversely affect cognitive functions like concentration and may cause memory loss, headaches, dizziness and epilepsy among others. In the present paper, the Assessment of RF radiation in the far-field from selected mobile base station sites in BIU and environs, Benin City, Nigeria has been carried out using a handheld three-axis radio frequency meter (EMF meter) for measurement of Electric field. The meter is a broad band device for monitoring high frequency radiation in range of 50 MHz to 3.6GHz. It is used in three-axis (isotropic) measurement mode. The electric field strength of RF radiation within a radial distance of the range 0- 100m was measured with the RF meter. The average values of the Specific absorption rate (SAR) for the general public was estimated from the measured electric field strength and the values gotten were compared with International commission on Non-ionizing radiation. Results shows that the values of the SAR for the eighth base stations selected for the study are within the range of 0.00010W/Kg- 0.0012W/Kg. These values are quite lower than the limit by International Commission on Non –ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which is 0.08W/Kg for the whole body average SAR. This may indicate that there is no significant health risk for the general public that are always the vicinity of the Far field of the selected base stations for the various mobile service provider the area.