ASSESSING THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURE TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION SIGNALS WITHIN 900–2500 MHZ IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the total exposure due to signals within GSM 900, GSM 1800, CDMA-1900 and 3G-2100 frequency bands at 200 m from the foot of 120, 100 and 80 base station masts in the Nigerian cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, respectively, was assessed. A calibrated hand-held spectrum analyser was used to measure the level of power (in dBm) of each signal within the mobile frequency bands. The exposure quotient associated with the combine electric field strengths from the various frequency bands in each city was estimated. The maximum value of total electric field strength at each point in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja was 0.83 V/m, 0.53 V/m and 1.63 V/m, respectively. This study shows that the exposure quotient due to the simultaneous exposure to the four bands of mobile communication signals in each city is far less than one, as recommend by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.