Phone Masts Research Articles

Assessment of radiofrequency radiation exposure level from selected base transceiver stations in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

With the growth of mobile phone technology globally, which has also influenced the number of mobile phone masts, the effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) have been a major concern of scientist globally. Many literatures have described the effects on the human health and his environment. We embarked on this study to assess the power densities of RFR from base transceiver stations (BTS) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Electrosmog meter was used, the power densities of RFR were taken from 12 BTS across 4 Local Governments in Ogbomoso at different distances. The power densities were measured to evaluate the mean power densities across Ogbomoso and its environment with the standard values provided by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The maximum average 718.6 μW/m2 was observed at 25 m away from the mast, which is below the ICNIRP guidelines. The results showed that the radiation level in the Local Governments is below the ICNIRP limit. Hence, we recommend that individuals should keep their exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

Viral Vampires

Viral Vampires

Electronic communications apparatus and property: Surveyors beware

The introduction of the Digital Economy Act 2017 followed by the New Electronic Communications Code are legislation changes that property owners, investors and developers should be aware of. In particular, the ability of electronic communications network operators to take property owners to court to seek to impose rights over their property assets and the restrictions on removing phone masts without a court order are having a fundamental impact on how the property sector perceives mobile phone masts and other electronic communications infrastructure. This paper reviews some of the issues that are causing difficulty between the property sector and network operators, particularly issues that professionals advising property owners should be alive to and upon which early specialist advice may be prudent before engaging with network operators.

“Risky transitions?” Risk perceptions, public concerns, and energy infrastructure in Germany

Citizen protests against large-scale energy infrastructure technologies underline the vital role of public acceptance for energy planning. Research has found risk and benefit perceptions to affect energy technology acceptance considerably. Comparing risk and benefit perceptions of wind turbines, electricity pylons, and mobile phone masts, an empirical study was undertaken in Germany. The study examined whether there are types of risks perceived as particularly relevant, regardless of the technology, or whether each technology (wind, electricity transmission, mobile technology) has a specific “risk pattern.” Benefit perceptions and trust did not differ between energy infrastructure technologies (wind turbines and electricity pylons), though perceived risks were significantly higher in the pylon context compared to wind turbines. Energy infrastructure was perceived as significantly less hazardous than mobile phone infrastructure.Beyond the impact of different mast types, also person-specific effects influenced risk perceptions: The higher the perceived knowledge about large-scale infrastructure technologies, the lower was the overall risk perception associated with the respective technology. Persons with less perceived knowledge showed lower levels of technical self-efficacy and, in case of wind turbines, a lower environmental awareness. Findings can be used for tailoring future information and public communication concepts to the user-specific requirements regarding energy infrastructure planning.

INVESTIGATING INTEROPERABILITY CAPABILITIES BETWEEN IFC AND CITYGML LOD 4 – RETAINING SEMANTIC INFORMATION

Abstract. Applications of 3D City Models range from assessing the potential output of solar panels across a city to determining the best location for 5G mobile phone masts. While in the past these models were not readily available, the rapid increase of available data from sources such as Open Data (e.g. OpenStreetMap), National Mapping and Cadastral Agencies and increasingly Building Information Models facilitates the implementation of increasingly detailed 3D Models. However, these sources also generate integration challenges relating to heterogeneity, storage and efficient management and visualization. CityGML and IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) are two standards that serve different application domains (GIS and BIM) and are commonly used to store and share 3D information. The ability to convert data from IFC to CityGML in a consistent manner could generate 3D City Models able to represent an entire city, but that also include detailed geometric and semantic information regarding its elements. However, CityGML and IFC present major differences in their schemas, rendering interoperability a challenging task, particularly when details of a building’s internal structure are considered (Level of Detail 4 in CityGML). The aim of this paper is to investigate interoperability options between the aforementioned standards, by converting IFC models to CityGML LoD 4 Models. The CityGML Models are then semantically enriched and the proposed methodology is assessed in terms of model’s geometric validity and capability to preserve semantics.

Radiofrequency radiation injures trees around mobile phone base stations

In the last two decades, the deployment of phone masts around the world has taken place and, for many years, there has been a discussion in the scientific community about the possible environmental impact from mobile phone base stations. Trees have several advantages over animals as experimental subjects and the aim of this study was to verify whether there is a connection between unusual (generally unilateral) tree damage and radiofrequency exposure. To achieve this, a detailed long-term (2006–2015) field monitoring study was performed in the cities of Bamberg and Hallstadt (Germany). During monitoring, observations and photographic recordings of unusual or unexplainable tree damage were taken, alongside the measurement of electromagnetic radiation. In 2015 measurements of RF-EMF (Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields) were carried out. A polygon spanning both cities was chosen as the study site, where 144 measurements of the radiofrequency of electromagnetic fields were taken at a height of 1.5m in streets and parks at different locations. By interpolation of the 144 measurement points, we were able to compile an electromagnetic map of the power flux density in Bamberg and Hallstadt. We selected 60 damaged trees, in addition to 30 randomly selected trees and 30 trees in low radiation areas (n=120) in this polygon. The measurements of all trees revealed significant differences between the damaged side facing a phone mast and the opposite side, as well as differences between the exposed side of damaged trees and all other groups of trees in both sides. Thus, we found that side differences in measured values of power flux density corresponded to side differences in damage. The 30 selected trees in low radiation areas (no visual contact to any phone mast and power flux density under 50μW/m2) showed no damage. Statistical analysis demonstrated that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone masts is harmful for trees. These results are consistent with the fact that damage afflicted on trees by mobile phone towers usually start on one side, extending to the whole tree over time.

Electromagnetic field exposure of White stork nests and possible impacts on their breeding success and development

Introduction: Studies have found impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on reproduction, including effects on the human testis. White storks’ (Ciconia ciconia) nests provide a quasi-experimental situation to explore the impacts of EMFs on breeding success.In Spain, Balmori had found that 40% of white stork nests located within <200 meters(m) of phone masts had no chicks, significantly more than nests >300m away (3%).Our aims were to assess the impact of RF-EMF, electric and magnetic fields on the breeding success of white storks through in-situ measurements from the nests. Methods: Districts and villages of two provinces were chosen as the study area and visited in April-May 2015 to measure EMF from the nests and count the eggs.The nests were reached with aerial work platform trucks.EMFs were measured by Aaronia Spectran HF-4060 and NF-3020 devices. Distance between the nests and the phone masts were measured by using an optical range finder (Newcon optic 7.5x30mm, range 1,200m). All the nests were revisited in June 2015 to count the number of chicks. Results: There were 12 nests <200m from phone masts and 65 nests ≥200m.Most of the nests (86.3%) were on electricity pylons, 77.9% of these on platforms. The mean±SD number of eggs hatched was 2.92±2.19 in nests <200m vs.4.18±1.33 at ≥200m away (p=0.162). There were 2.17±1.80 chicks in nests <200m vs.2.78±1.43 in nests ≥200m away (p=0.310). Mean radiofrequency, 3G, GSM900, GSM1800 and wireless network field measurements were significantly higher in nests located within 200m from phone masts (respectively 3.53 vs.0.47 V/m, 0.11 vs.0.05, 0.95 vs.0.14, 0.40 vs.0.06, 0.02 vs.0.005 V/m). Conclusions: Although not statistically significant, the number of eggs and chicks are lower in nests within 200m and the difference is more pronounced in the number of eggs.Nests on electricity pylons might cause confounding by electric and magnetic fields.A larger sample-size of nests within 200m from phone masts is recommended.

Engaging citizens: local interactions, policy discourse and courses of protest against mobile phone cell site deployment

ABSTRACTThis article puts forward an interactionist discourse approach for studying the course of local political protest. We argue that how local policy-makers engage with the (anticipated) demands of citizens and mediate national policy produces distinct framing and feeling rules about potentially controversial issues. These framing and feeling rules open up or close down opportunities for citizen concerns to develop into collective action and policy change. Our contribution refines cultural approaches to social movement theory, focusing on local interactions in the formation of discourse, and allows us to better understand within-country variation in the course of contentious collective action. We develop our argument through a comparison of sixteen cases of installing mobile phone cell sites in the Netherlands. We show that the interaction between municipalities and citizens establishes a specific framing of the issue, of the role of citizens in decision-making and of the rules concerning what citizens may legitimately feel about mobile phone masts being erected in their neighbourhoods. This gives rise to four typical patterns of engagement between municipalities and citizens.

The role of anxiety in the perception of technological hazards – A cross-sectional study on cell phones and masts

BackgroundRisk perception is determined by parameters related to the nature of the risk, as well as inherent to the individual perceiving this risk. This study was designed to provide a better understanding of the role of personality, especially anxiety traits, on risk perception. It compared representations of two different risks, smoking (with known and generally accepted adverse health effects) and cell phones (whose hazardous potency is still controversial), each presented in two different forms of exposure, active (smokers and cell phone users) and passive (passive smoking and exposure to cell phone masts). MethodsA self-administered questionnaire sent to volunteer subjects collected sociodemographic and exposure data. It measured the perceived risk as well as 11 psychometric properties of risk using visual analogue scales (values ranging from 0 to 10). An anxiety trait was evaluated by the Spielberger questionnaire. ResultsIn all, 72% of the questionnaires sent were returned. Mean declared risk scores attributed to passive and active smoking were higher (8.75 and 8.31 respectively) than those attributed to cell phones and masts (4.44 and 4.73 respectively). However, scores for the 11 psychometric properties of the risk attributed to cell phones were higher than those associated with smoking, especially for dissatisfaction with information (6.71 and 7.36 respectively for cell phones and masts versus 1.75 and 2.18 for passive and active smoking) and the capacity of authorities to master the risk (6.45 and 6.65 for cell phones and masts versus 4.72 and 4.40 for passive and active smoking). Anxiety did not directly influence the risk scores attributed to these 4 forms of exposure but was predictive of the way in which subjects perceived the risk in terms of two essential properties: uncertainty concerning the effects on health and the potential to trigger health catastrophes. Indeed anxious subjects are more certain about the hazards of cell phones and masts than non-anxious subjects (P=0.008 et P≤0.001) and attributed a higher catastrophic potential (P=0.02 and P=0.004). ConclusionThis study suggests that subjects with an anxious profile are affected by the destabilizing nature of uncertain knowledge concerning the hazardous potency of new technologies and of the controversies concerning this hazard.

Surveyors and phone masts

This paper considers some of the issues that may arise for property owners who are considering permitting, or already have permitted, mobile phone masts and other electronic communications equipment on their premises. The paper looks at a number of issues likely to be of importance to property owners including the nature of telecommunications agreements and the proliferation of electronic communications equipment. Specifically of interest to those property owners with potential development sites, the paper considers security of tenure under various statutes and the processes by which electronic communications equipment can be removed from properties.

Wireless smart meters and public acceptance: the environment, limited choices, and precautionary politics.

Wireless smart meters (WSMs) promise numerous environmental benefits, but they have been installed without full consideration of public acceptance issues. Although societal-implications research and regulatory policy have focused on privacy, security, and accuracy issues, our research indicates that health concerns have played an important role in the public policy debates that have emerged in California. Regulatory bodies do not recognize non-thermal health effects for non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, but both homeowners and counter-experts have contested the official assurances that WSMs pose no health risks. Similarities and differences with the existing social science literature on mobile phone masts are discussed, as are the broader political implications of framing an alternative policy based on an opt-out choice. The research suggests conditions under which health-oriented precautionary politics can be particularly effective, namely, if there is a mandatory technology, a network of counter-experts, and a broader context of democratic contestation.

The regulation of risk: Mobile phones and the siting of phone masts - the UK experience

There are often scientific uncertainties and ambiguities surrounding novel industrial technologies. This makes regulatory processes problematic. An examination of the literature on mobile phone technology in the UK shows that whilst government and the telecommunications industry research has not found any clear evidence of ill effects on human health, other studies conducted more or less independently show a more mixed picture. The aim of this paper is to advocate a more open-ended regulatory process when investigating issues that exhibit scientific uncertainty. This process encompasses the views of a wider body of experts and lay persons. In the presence of uncertainty and ambiguity we believe that the precautionary principle is a useful tool with which to examine issues such as mobile phone technology.

A geographical model of radio-frequency power density around mobile phone masts

Public concern about possible health effects of EMF radiation from mobile phone masts has led to an increase of epidemiological studies and health risk assessments which, in turn, require adequate methods of exposure estimation. Difficulties in exposure modelling are exacerbated both by the complexity of the propagation processes, and the need to obtain estimates for large study populations in order to provide sufficient statistical power to detect or exclude the small relative risks that might exist. Use of geographical information system (GIS) techniques offers the means to make such computations efficiently. This paper describes the development and field validation of a GIS-based exposure model (Geomorf). The model uses a modified Gaussian formulation to represent spatial variations in power densities around mobile phone masts, on the basis of power output, antenna height, tilt and the surrounding propagation environment. Obstruction by topography is allowed for, through use of a visibility function. Model calibration was done using field data from 151 measurement sites (1510 antenna-specific measurements) around a group of masts in a rural location, and 50 measurement sites (658 antenna-specific measurements) in an urban area. Different parameter settings were found to be necessary in urban and rural areas to obtain optimum results. The calibrated models were then validated against independent sets of data gathered from measurement surveys in rural and urban areas, and model performance was compared with that of two commonly used path-loss models (the COST-231 adaptations of the Hata and Walfisch–Ikegami models). Model performance was found to vary somewhat between the rural and urban areas, and at different measurement levels (antenna-specific power density, total power density), but overall gave good estimates (R2=0.641 and 0.615, RMSE=10.7 and 6.7dBm at the antenna and site-level respectively). Performance was considerably better than that of both path loss models.

Tiny cubes could soon replace unsightly cell phone masts

Tiny cubes could soon replace unsightly cell phone masts

Complaints in environmental health and the construction of risk as cultural resource

Abstract The article aims to discuss the notion of health risks put forward in complaints about mobile phone masts. This notion is present in a similar way in other complaints linking cancers with industrial sites. The study of three complaints is used to analyse the local process of construction of health risks. The article argues that the social foundations of the notion of health risks and its uses as a cultural resource to develop a community of victims prevent any agreement between local activists and experts on the definition of the health problem.

Protesting Mobile Phone Masts: Risk, Neoliberalism, and Governmentality

Studies of protests against mobile phone masts typically concentrate on the potential health risks associated with mobile phones and their masts. Beck’s Risk Society has been particularly influential in informing this debate. This focus on health, however, has merely served to limit the discussion to those concerns legitimated by science conveniently ignoring other disputed issues. In contrast, this article contends that it is necessary to use a wider notion of risk to understand fully how the current political emphasis on active citizenship may have contributed to the protests. It examines how neoliberal governmentality and the move to empower people are in contention with one another. The study draws upon case material from a small village protest group in United Kingdom and argues that much of the tension arises from the encouragement of the public on one hand to become active citizens but on the other to be passive consumers.

Exposure to GSM RF Fields Does Not Affect Calcium Homeostasis in Human Endothelial Cells, Rat Pheocromocytoma Cells or Rat Hippocampal Neurons

In the course of modern daily life, individuals are exposed to numerous sources of electromagnetic radiation that are not present in the natural environment. The strength of the electromagnetic fields from sources such as hairdryers, computer display units and other electrical devices is modest. However, in many home and office environments, individuals can experience perpetual exposure to an “electromagnetic smog”, with occasional peaks of relatively high electromagnetic field intensity. This has led to concerns that such radiation can affect health. In particular, emissions from mobile phones or mobile phone masts have been invoked as a potential source of pathological electromagnetic radiation. Previous reports have suggested that cellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is affected by the types of radiofrequency fields emitted by mobile phones. In the present study, we used a high-throughput imaging platform to monitor putative changes in cellular Ca2+ during exposure of cells to 900 MHz GSM fields of differing power (specific absorption rate 0.012–2 W/Kg), thus mimicking the type of radiation emitted by current mobile phone handsets. Data from cells experiencing the 900 Mhz GSM fields were compared with data obtained from paired experiments using continuous wave fields or no field. We employed three cell types (human endothelial cells, PC-12 neuroblastoma and primary hippocampal neurons) that have previously been suggested to be sensitive to radiofrequency fields. Experiments were designed to examine putative effects of radiofrequency fields on resting Ca2+, in addition to Ca2+ signals evoked by an InsP3-generating agonist. Furthermore, we examined putative effects of radiofrequency field exposure on Ca2+ store emptying and store-operated Ca2+ entry following application of the Ca2+ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. Multiple parameters (e.g., peak amplitude, integrated Ca2+ signal, recovery rates) were analysed to explore potential impact of radiofrequency field exposure on Ca2+ signals. Our data indicate that 900 MHz GSM fields do not affect either basal Ca2+ homeostasis or provoked Ca2+ signals. Even at the highest field strengths applied, which exceed typical phone exposure levels, we did not observe any changes in cellular Ca2+ signals. We conclude that under the conditions employed in our experiments, and using a highly-sensitive assay, we could not detect any consequence of RF exposure.

Mobile phone masts, social rationalities and risk: negotiating lay perspectives on technological hazards

This paper examines the responses of 37 participants in six focus groups to media representations of the health risks associated with mobile phone masts (‘base stations’) in the light of theoretical debates concerning non‐expert understandings of risks (variously characterised as ‘lay rationality’, lay epidemiology’, popular epidemiology’, ‘public knowledges’, ‘social rationality’ and ‘intuitive risk judgements’). In particular, the study discusses the extent to which two particular manifestations of such understandings – non‐mediated contextual and personal knowledges (‘multiple information sources’), and risk comparisons made between mobile phone masts and a variety of other perceived health risks – are prominent in respondents’ discursive constructions of risk. The paper suggests that analyses of risk responses such as these should differentiate clearly between classes of risks, and avoid suggestions that any particular type of risk response can be unproblematically mapped onto other risk scenarios.

Mobile Phone Mast Effects on Common Frog (Rana temporaria) Tadpoles: The City Turned into a Laboratory

An experiment has been made exposing eggs and tadpoles of the common frog (Rana temporaria) to electromagnetic radiation from several mobile (cell) phone antennae located at a distance of 140 meters. The experiment lasted two months, from the egg phase until an advanced phase of tadpole prior to metamorphosis. Measurements of electric field intensity (radiofrequencies and microwaves) in V/m obtained with three different devices were 1.8 to 3.5 V/m. In the exposed group (n = 70), low coordination of movements, an asynchronous growth, resulting in both big and small tadpoles, and a high mortality (90%) was observed. Regarding the control group (n = 70) under the same conditions but inside a Faraday cage, the coordination of movements was normal, the development was synchronous, and a mortality of 4.2% was obtained. These results indicate that radiation emitted by phone masts in a real situation may affect the development and may cause an increase in mortality of exposed tadpoles. This research may have huge implications for the natural world, which is now exposed to high microwave radiation levels from a multitude of phone masts.

The incidence of electromagnetic pollution on wild mammals: A new “poison” with a slow effect on nature?

A review on the effects of radiofrequency radiation from wireless telecommunications on living organisms and its possible impact on wild mammals are presented. Physical and technological characteristics of mobile telephone and phone masts, the scientific discoveries that are of interest in the study of their effects on the wildlife, action mechanisms on biological systems and experimental difficulties are described. Keeping in mind that electromagnetic pollution (in the microwave and radiofrequency range) is a possible source for decline of some mammal populations, it is of great importance to carry out studies on the effects of this new pollutant to wildlife. Some research types that could be useful to determine adverse health effects are proposed.