Evaluation and Substantiation of the Necessity to Revise Guidelines for Measuring Electromagnetic Radiation of Cellular Base Stations

Abstract

Introduction: Measurements of electromagnetic radiation of the radio frequency range are of great relevance due to the increasing number of transmitting radio facilities in the densely populated territories, constant cell site upgrades, and emerging communication standards. The paper presents a brief description of the biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and shows basic mechanisms of the negative effect on the most vulnerable organs and systems. Our objective was to evaluate valid guidelines for measuring electromagnetic radiations of the radio frequency range in residential areas, in houses and public buildings. Materials and methods: We reviewed specific characteristics of cellular base and radio relay stations, compared and described electromagnetic radiation measuring devices. The provided recommendations for their selection were based on frequencies at which the communication equipment operates. We also analyzed the current guidelines with account for characteristics of transmitting radio equipment of cellular base stations and the applied measuring instruments. Results: The results of assessing established significant differences are discussed. The analysis of the requirements for measurements demonstrated significant discrepancies and contradictions between the valid documents. The evaluation results demonstrated impossibility of simultaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation from cellular BS and RRS due to violations of requirements for measurement procedures. We concluded that, according to the current method documents, measurements of electromagnetic radiation from the fourth (4G) and fifth (5G) generation mobile communications systems were not possible. Conclusions: We revealed the necessity to revise the compared guidelines МUК 4.3.1167–02 and МUК 4.3.1677–03, to harmonize regulatory requirements for measurements, and to develop a single document guiding measurements of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. Recommendations for taking measurements are provided.