Health Effects of Mobile Tower Radiation on Human — Case Study

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Health Effects of Mobile Tower Radiation on Human —
Case Study
Lalrinthara Pachuau*, Zaithanzauva Pachuau
Dept. of Physics, Mizoram University, Tanhril, India.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-9862358768; email: rinapachuau@yahoo.com
Manuscript submitted November 4, 2015; accepted March 16, 2016.
Abstract: In the present paper, we presented the study of complaints on thirteen (13) different health
symptoms faced by inhabitants living near mobile tower – Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM
900 & 1800) and those inhabitants living in the area where there is no mobile tower. The study was
conducted in fourteen different localities in Aizawl city and four different localities outside Aizawl city in
the year 2014 & 2015. Questionnaires were conducted in all the localities. Power densities were measured
in different places in all the localities. Health complaints between the localities were compared with that of
the locality where there is no mobile tower. It was found that power density is much higher in the area
where there is mobile tower than the area where there is no mobile tower. Questionnaire responses from all
the localities were statistically analysed and compared by performing t-test. Out of the thirteen (13)
different symptoms studied it was found that the comparisons are statistically significant with p < 0.05 in
six symptoms. Significant Health complaints start to occur when average power density of the locality is
more than 2.145 mW/m2. Women were statistically more affected (p < 0.05) than male. It was found that
there was strong positive correlation between power density and health complaints with R2 value 0.853.
Key words: Health symptoms, power density, RF radiation.
1. Introduction
The introduction in the 1990s of mobile phone using the digital Global System for Mobile Communication
(GSM) bandwidths 900 and 1800 megahertz (MHz) and the subsequent introduction of the Universal
Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) have led to widespread use of this technology. This
development has raised public concerns and substantial controversy about the potential health effects of
the radiofrequency electromagnetic field emissions of this technology [1]. It is believed that mobile phones
produce RF energy of non-ionizing radiation which is too low to heat the body’s tissues, and hence is
unlikely to have the same impact on human health as those produced by ionizing radiations such as X-rays
[2]. A small portion of the population attributes non specific symptoms of ill health, such as sleep
disturbance, headache, fatigue etc. Ref. [3] to exposure to electromagnetic fields. This phenomenon is
described as electromagnetic hypersensitivity or ‘idiopathic environmental intolerance with attribution to
electromagnetic fields [4]. Additionally, individuals who are hypersensitive to electromagnetic fields often
claim to be able to perceive radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in their daily life [5]. With the significant
increase in mobile phone usage, possible health risks related to RF exposure have become the subject of
considerable attention [6].
People are generally exposed to mobile tower radiation under far-fields conditions, i.e. radiation from a
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72 Volume 6, Number 2, April 2016
doi: 10.17706/ijapm.2016.6.2. 72-79

source located at distance more than one wavelength. Mobile tower radiation exposure can occur
continuously but the levels are considerably lower than the local maximum level that occur when someone
uses a mobile phone handset [7]. A recent study that measures personal exposure to radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields in a swiss population sample demonstrated that the average exposure contribution
from mobile tower is relevant for cumulative long term whole body exposure to radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields. However, as expected, it is of minor importance for cumulative exposure to the head
of regular mobile phone users [8].
In 2005, the World Health Organisation (WHO) organized a workshop on exposure to mobile tower
radiation and its health consequences and subsequently published a paper summarizing the state of
knowledge on the matter [9]. At that time, studies about the health impacts of mobile tower radiation were
scarce and of low quality because most of the previous research on the health effects of radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields had focused on exposure to mobile phone handsets and on effects related to head
exposure, such as brain tumours or changes in brain physiology. Later, research efforts have increased in
response to public complaints describing decreased well-being associated with mobile tower radiation [10].
Many studies address the impact of mobile phone radiations on human body, only a few consider the
effect of human exposure to base stations although such an effect may be greater as more body parts can
absorb RF energy [11]. Over the last decade, there has been a great deal of concern about possible health
consequences caused by human exposure to RF in general and radiations from base stations in particular
[6]. This includes effect from exposure to both cell phones and base stations. Health concerns can be
divided into two main categories : short term and long term effects. The short term effect includes brain
electrical activity, cognitive function, sleep, heart rate and blood pressure [12]. However, the long term
effects includes tinnitus, headache, dizziness, fatigue, sensations of warmth, dysesthesia of the scalp, visual
symptoms, memory loss and sleep disturbance, muscle problem and epidemicological effects including
cancer and brain tumours [13].
In May 2011, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF field as possibly
carcinogenic to human (group 2B) based on increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer
associated with wireless phone use [14].
2. Methodology
2.1. Questionnaire
To study the health hazards and problems faced by the inhabitants living close to the base station,
questionnaire survey was conducted on 13 different symptoms in different localities of Aizawl. The
questionnaire was similar to that developed for the study on mobile phone users by Santini et al. [15]. One
of the localities where the survey was done was called Lawipu which is situated in the outskirt of Aizawl. In
Lawipu there is no mobile phone tower, the nearest tower is located in Maubawk which is about 1km away.
Hence, the questionnaire responses from Lawipu was used as the reference for comparing with all other
localities as the power density was so low compared to different international standards. The level of
complaints for the studied symptoms was expressed by using a scale of : 0 = never, 1= sometimes, 2 = often,
3 = very often.
2.2. Power Density
The amount of energy passing through unit area per unit time is called Power density (Pd). If the
transmitter is isotropic, it radiates energy uniformly in all directions. The power of a transmitter that is
radiated from an isotropic antenna will have a uniform power density in all directions. The surface area
increases by the square of the radius, therefore power density decreases by the square of the radius.
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Power density form an isotropic antenna is given by
2
4t
d
P
PR


(1)
where Pt = Transmitter power (peak or average depending on how Pd is to be specified), R = radius of the
sphere.
If G be gain of the antenna which is the ratio of power radiated in the desired direction as compared to
the power radiated from the antenna, and let n be the number of transmitter, we have [16]
2
4t
d
nPG
PR


(2)
If the antenna gain is given in dB rather than dimensionless number, it can be convert back to
dimensionless number by using the formula
10
[10]
x
G




(3)
where x is the antenna gain given in dB, G is the antenna gain expressed in dimensionless number.
Power density measurement was carried out at different places in each locality using Spectran HF-60105
V4, manufactured by Aaronia, Germany. Power density and questionnaire response from Lawipu was taken
as reference for comparison with that of others. The main purpose of the measurement was to find whether
there is correlation between the health complaints and the measured power densities. Average value of the
measured power densities of each location was compared the number of significant health complaints (with
2.3. Frequency Spectrum
Frequency spectrum of the radiation had been recorded in each locality. The same instrument
HF-60105V4, manufactured by Aaronia, Germany was used to analyse the frequency spectrum. The
instrument is capable of measuring non-ionizing radiation for frequency range of 1MHz to 9.4GHz.
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Questionnaire Analysis
Analysis of the questionnaire from all the participants is given in Table 1 and Table 2. Only those localities
with significant health symptoms are given in the tables. T-test analysis was performed for the comparison
of health complaints. Scale numbers 2 and 3 are given more considerations as they are positive responses.
Table 1 shows comparison of questionnaire responses between that of Lawipu inhabitants and of
inhabitants of other localities. Those inhabitants living near base stations in other localities are having more
health complaints than those in Lawipu who are exposed to very weak RF Radiation. In table 2,
comparisons of health complaints between male and female in other localities are given. From each locality
fifty (50) individuals participated, 24 males and 26 females, and in Lawipu the same number 24 males and
26 females participated in the questionnaire.
When questionnaire analysis were done with t-test it has been observed that the health complaints are
significant (p < 0.05, where p is significant level) in ten (10) different health symptoms in at least one of the
scales 2 or 3 or both (Table 1). Muscle pain is the most common complaint, it is significant on both scales 2
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74 Volume 6, Number 2, April 2016
p< 0.05). The bivariate correlation graphs were plotted.

and 3 in ten (10) different localities out of the 17 different localities which were compared with Lawipu. All
the localities are in Aizawl city where mobile towers had been erected for at least the last five years.
Table 1. t-Test Analysis Showing Significant Health Complaints on Scales 2 and 3 on Comparison of
Responses from Lawipu with Other Localities. * Mark Indicates Significance with p < 0.05.
Table 2. t-Test Analysis Showing Significant Health Complaints on Scales 2 and 3 on Comparison of
Responses between Male and Female from Each of the Localities. * Mark Indicates Significance with p <
0.05.
Comparison between responses on health complaints of male and female is given in table 2. It has been
found that out of the 17 different localities at least one significant health complaint was observed in ten (10)
localities which were all in Aizawl city. Out of the thirteen different symptoms studied, significant health
complaints were found in six (6) symptoms, females being more affected.
3.2. Power Density Measurement
Power density of RF radiation was measured at different places randomly in each locality. The measured
average values of each locality was compared with that of Lawipu and different standards like ICNIRP,
Indian standard, Bioinitiative report and Salzburg resolution 2001. Many of the measured values are higher
than that of the safe limits recommended by Bioinitive Report 2012 (0.5mW/m2) [17], Salzburg resolution
2000 (1mW/m2) [18], EU (STOA) 2001 (0.1mW/m2) [18]. However, all the measured values were well
below the current ICNIRP safe level (4700mW/m2) [18] and the current Indian Standard (450mW/m2) [18].
In Lawipu, where there are no mobile tower, the average value of power density of GSM 900 and GSM 1800
was 0.042 mW/m2 which was well below Bioinitive Report 2012 (0.5 mW/m2) [17], Salzburg resolution
2000 (1 mW/m2) [18], EU (STOA) 2001 (0.1 mW/m2) [17], the current ICNIRP safe level (4700mW/m2) [18]
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and the current Indian Standard (450mW/m2) [19]. Measurement of power density in different localities
are given in Table 3.
Table 3. Measurement of Power Densities in the Studied Localities
3.3. Power Density versus Health Complaints
Average value of the measured power density from each locality was compared with the number of
significant health complaints on comparison with Lawipu where power density was very low. It has been
observed that significant health complaints starts to occur only when average power density is more than
2.145 mW/m2. No significant complaint was found in the localities where the average power densities were
less than 2.145 mW/m2.
Fig. 1. Correlation graph for responses on health complaints vs power density for comparison of Lawipu
with other localities.
At the same time, the number of significant health complaints on comparison between responses of male
and female from each locality was compared with power density of the locality. It has been observed that
significant health complaints start to occur only when average power density is more than 3.185 mW/m2.
Below this value of power density significant health complaint was not observe.
Correlation graphs for Power density versus significant health complaints are plotted in figures 1 & 2. For
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comparison of Lawipu and other localities strong positive correlation of R2 value of 0.853 was obtained, and
for male – female comparison positive correlation of R2 value of 0.705 was obtained.
Fig. 2. Correlation graph for responses on health complaints vs power density for comparison of Male vs
female.
4. Conclusion
It has been observed that all the measured values of power density in all the 18 localities were lower than
the safety limit recommendation of ICNIRP and the department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India.
However, in 14 different localities (all in Aizawl city) the average values of the measured power densities
were higher than the recommendations of Bioinitiative report 2012, Salzburg resolution 2000 and EU
(2001). Although the measured power densities were very low compares to the recommendations of
ICNIRP and the current Indian standard, it has been observed that many inhabitants were still having
complaints on the non specific health symptoms since the erection of the tower.
From the comparisons of health complaints of male and female from each locality, it was observed that
females were having more complaints than male. The most common complaint was muscle pain. However,
there are many other factors which could contribute to the health complaints other than RF/MW radiation.
It is not wise to conclude that all the observed health complaints were due to the radiation alone. However,
it has been observed that more is power density, more is health complaints.
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Lalrinthara Pachuau was born in June 23, 1983 in Aizawl city, the capital city of
Mizoram state in India. He obtained the MSc (physics) from Indian Institute of
Technology, Guwahati in 2007. He had qualified in National Eligibility Test (NET/JRF)
conducted by UGC-CSIR in December 2006 and Graduate Aptitute Test in Engineering
(GATE) conducted by MHRD in February 2007. His major field of interest is in
Electromagnetic waves and their possible health effects and in General Relativity.
He was selected as fellow, CPYLS (CSIR Programme for Young Leadership in Science)
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in the year 1999 – 2000 and had visited CSIR Laboratories (Jorhat-1999, Delhi-2000) during these years. He
joined his current job as ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, in the Department of Physics, Pachhunga University
College, Aizawl, Mizoram, India in February 2008. He started research career since 2012 and had published
eight (8) research papers in different International and Indian Journals. He had co-authored one book
‘Practical Manual’ for BSc students, which was published by the college. He had written more than sixty (60)
different popular science articles for laymen and High school students mostly in Mizoram Science Journal.
Currently he is doing research in the field of RF/MW Radiation and their possible harmful effects on Human.
He is about to submit his PhD thesis in Mizoram University.
Mr. Pachuau is member of STAM (Science Teachers’ Association Mizoram) and is holding the Joint
Secretary position. He is also member of MAS (Mizo Academy of Sciences), MSS (Mizoram Science Society),
Secretary, Mizoram Amateur Astronomy Club. He is currently holding the post of Editor OF Mizoram Science
Journal (monthly Journal). He had been awarded Mizoram Science Journal’s Best article Award four times
(2000, 2002, 2003, 2013), Best contribution Award three times (2010, 2011, 2012).
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