ISSN (e): 2250 – 3005 || Volume, 09 || Issue, 1 || January – 2019 || International Journal of Computational Engineering Research (IJCER) www.ijceronline.com Open Access Journal Page 37 The Impact of Electromagnetic Radiations from Base Stations on Humans Ifeoma B. Asianuba, Nzewi C. Kennedy Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering University of Port Harcourt Choba, Rivers State Nigeria. Corresponding Author: Ifeoma B. Asianuba --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 03-02-2019 Date of acceptance: 20-02-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Mobile phones are now an integral part of our modern day communication tool. The large amount of mobile phones in use has brought about a significant increase in the number of base transceiver stations installed to handle the demand posed by users, so as to ensure effective communication process. The base stations towers can be mounted on existing buildings or made to stand alone on high mast to avoid blockage or hindrances from high rise buildings and obstacle. In either case, electromagnetic field radiations are emitted from the antennas on the towers. The towers could be about 50 to 200 feet high. It is known that at frequencies between 900 and 1800MHz, the antennas on GSM base stations emits electromagnetic radiations into space [1]. The radiations from mobile phones tend to be greater than those experienced from base stations. This is due to the proximity of the device to humans [2]. The effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with respect to human health is an area of research interest in the past few years [3]. The study has evolved from the physiological impact, to mental, psychological and behavioral performance of individuals residing close to these communication masts. The proliferation of these communication masts has caused more radiations to be emitted into the environment. The antennas on the BTS are placed in a defined geometrical configuration to provide an Omni directional coverage. The power density of the antenna at lower frequency band is very small. This creates the ability for field patterns to penetrate the human body. This penetration process unlike the high power density antennas has its absorption power occurring near the sky surface [4]. Electromagnetic radiations like light waves, travels in a straight line and exhibits three properties on collision with external body/object. It can transmit through, be reflected and absorbed. The amount of energy propagated tends to reduce with distance travelled and so, individuals residing far away from the base stations receive less exposure compared to those residents living close to the BTS. ABSTRACT; The impact of Electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from base stations on humans has gained tremendous research interest in the past decade. This interest has been necessitated by the proliferations of communication mast in cities due to the large increase in use of communication devices (GSM). The objective of this work is to investigate Choba (a sub urban city) in Rivers state, Nigeria. The work seeks to verify if network providers operate at the required limits and standard, in the radiations emitted from the base transceiver stations to ascertain compliance. Secondly, it further establishes if any health risks exist on humans residing close to the base station since the safety range should be about 300 meters away from each station. Radiation measurements were carried out using cellular mobile network analyzer at the specific base stations in the coverage area. Questionnaires were also distributed to individuals residing very close to the base stations as yet another approach implored in actualizing the objective of this work. This collective approach will be used to draw a logical conclusion to ascertain the impacts of Electromagnetic radiations within the area under study. Statistical analysis was also carried out with the data obtained using Microsoft excel and SPSS program. Result obtained highlighted the relationship between distance and power density of Electromagnetic fields emitted from base station. The outcome of the result can serve as guide for the Government and statutory bodies, to play a key role in creating more awareness on the impending health challenges caused by installing communication mast around residential areas. KEYWORDS: GSM Base transceiver Station, Radiation level, power density, Electromagnetic radiation.