Is It Safe Living in the Vicinity of Cellular Towers? Analysis of Long-Term Human EMF Exposure at Population Scale

Abstract

We focus on the ElectroMagnetic Field (EMF) exposure safety for people living in the vicinity of cellular towers. To this aim, we analyze a large dataset of long-term EMF measurements collected over almost 20 years in more than 2000 measurement points spread over an Italian region. We evaluate the relationship between EMF exposure and the following factors: (i) distance from the closest installation(s), (ii) type of EMF sources in the vicinity, (iii) Base Station (BS) technology, and (iv) EMF regulation updates. Overall, the exposure levels from BSs in the vicinity are below the Italian EMF limits, thus ensuring safety for the population. Moreover, BSs represent the lowest exposure compared to Radio/TV repeaters and other EMF sources. However, the BS EMF exposure in proximity to users exhibits an increasing trend over the last years, which is likely due to the pervasive deployment of multiple technologies and to the EMF regulation updates. As a side consideration, if the EMF levels continue to increase with the current trends, the EMF exposure in proximity to BSs will saturate to the maximum EMF limit by the next 20 years at a distance of 30 meters from the closest BS.