Assessment of Radiation Risk from Selected Telecommunication Base Station in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria

Exposure of humans to electromagnetic radiations emanating from the antenna of telecom masts and its health effects on humans have been a subject matter for many scientists today. In Ogwashi-Uku, there is no documented literature or generally accepted findings on the health effects of exposure to effects of electromagnetic radiations from the antenna of telecom masts which may be a result of studies not exceeding the world’s permissible limits. This study, therefore, seeks to evaluate the extent of human exposure to electromagnetic radiation in Ogwashi-Uku. A Trifield EMF Meter Model TF2 was used for the purpose of this study. Measurements were recorded and subsequently used with standard equations to obtain the Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR) for different tissues of the head. Results from this study have shown that the mean value for radio frequency radiation is 2.40 mW/m2 and the average value for SAR to tissues of the head is 0.02 W/kg which is lower than the limit set by ICNIRP indicating that the mobile base stations pose no immediate recommended threat to the people of Ogwashi-Uku and are therefore safe.