Assessment Of The Background Ionizing Radiations (Birs) Levels Of Twenty Selected Mobile Phone Base Stations
Nwigboji, Ignatius A
Department of Physical and Geosciences, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.
Prof. C. C. Uhuegbu
Department of Physical and Geosciences, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu
Keywords: Telecommunication base stations, Background ionizing radiation (BIR), radiation health indices, Radalert-100, radiological health risks
Abstract
Assessment of the background ionizing radiations (BIRs) levels of twenty selected mobile phone base stations to ascertain their radiological health risks was undertaken using the Radalert 100 radiation monitor and a Geographical Positioning System (Garmin etrex 10). An in-situ measurement of the (BIRs) in air at 1.0 meter above ground level was carried out at twenty different telecommunication base stations in Enugu metropolis. The mean BIR levels of the studied masts ranged from 0.0489 to 0.2306 µSv/h, and ten were higher than the ICRP recommended safe limit of 0.13 µSvh-1(0.013mR/h) while the BIRs of the remaining ten were lower than the ICRP permissible standard. The estimated values of absorbed dose rate (ADR) ranged from 8.78nGy/h to 200.62nGy/h, ten also were above ICRP permissible limit of 84nGy/h, while ten fell below ICRP standard. In as much as the mean ADR of BIR levels of the ten masts were higher than the ICRP safety limit, it does not result to any instant radiological risk, evidenced by their estimated Annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) values ranging from 0.011 to 0.246 mSv/y, all lower than the ICRP permissible limits of 1 mSvy-1. For the associated excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), their values ranged from 0.038 ×10-3 to 0.861 ×10-3. Thirteen were observed to exceed the UNSCEAR recommended value of 0.29×10-3, suggesting therefore, high probability of base station workers developing cancer or radiation-related ailments from the ages of 65 years and above. In as much as the studied base stations do not create immediate hazard both to human health and the environment, the result showed they undoubtedly do on the long run. It is recommended that consistent radiological checks be maintained, and the data taken as a radiological reference point for telecommunication masts in Enugu State.