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Environmental Aspects of Energy Systems EECE 671: Presenter: Supervisor: Mona El-Abbasi Dr. Farid Chaaban

This document discusses electromagnetic radiation from telecommunication networks and its effects. It outlines that cell phones and towers emit non-ionizing microwave radiation, which can have thermal and non-thermal biological effects. Specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for phones and towers are defined. Research shows increased health risks like cancer for those living near towers or heavy phone users. Effects are also seen in plants, animals, and human brain development. Reducing personal exposure is recommended.

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MonaElabbassi
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80 views20 pages

Environmental Aspects of Energy Systems EECE 671: Presenter: Supervisor: Mona El-Abbasi Dr. Farid Chaaban

This document discusses electromagnetic radiation from telecommunication networks and its effects. It outlines that cell phones and towers emit non-ionizing microwave radiation, which can have thermal and non-thermal biological effects. Specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for phones and towers are defined. Research shows increased health risks like cancer for those living near towers or heavy phone users. Effects are also seen in plants, animals, and human brain development. Reducing personal exposure is recommended.

Uploaded by

MonaElabbassi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Electromagnetic Radiation

from Telecommunication
Networks

Environmental Aspects of Energy Systems


EECE 671

Presenter: Supervisor:
Mona El-Abbasi Dr. Farid Chaaban
Outline
• What are Electromagnetic Radiations?
• Microwave Radiation Effects
• Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits
• Is it Safe to live near a Cell Tower?
• Effects on Plants, Animals & Humans
• Suggested Solutions
• Conclusion
Mobile phones & Towers Statistics
in Lebanon
• Population: 6.082 million (2017)

• Mobile Subscribers: 4,890,533 mobile users

Mobile phone towers


Electromagnetic Radiations
• Radiation emitted from Cell Phones, Cell phone towers, Wi-Fi, TV and FM towers,
microwave ovens, etc. are called Electromagnetic radiations (EMR).
• Radiation is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being the
transmission of energy in the form of waves through space or a material
medium. 
• Radiation is of two kinds: ionizing and non-ionizing.
• Ionizing radiation: is of high-energy radiation (short waves) to break bonds between
molecules and ionize atoms like X-rays or gamma rays can alter DNA and be harmful.  
• Non-ionizing radiation : is of low energy to break molecular bonds and ionize atoms as
emitted by mobile phones or radio towers.

EMR causes significant health hazards on human, animals, plants and environment.
Electromagnetic Spectrum12qz

Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range


(450–3800 MHz and 24-80GHz in 5G mobile).
Microwave Radiation Effects

• According to a report from the American Cancer Society, Mobile Base Stations – emit
microwave radiation in order for voice and telephone data to be conducted.
• Microwave radiation effects are classified as:
•Thermal
•Non-thermal
• The current exposure safety standards are mainly based on the thermal effects, which is
manifested as a rise in temperature of the irradiated system and is accompanied by
physiological responses depending on the intensity and duration of the field.
• Non-thermal effects are manifested as changes in cellular metabolism caused by both
resonance absorption and induced EMFs 
• Non-thermal effects are several times more harmful than thermal effects.
Heating Concept in Microwave
• 4.2 KW (4200 W) of microwave power raises
temperature of 1 Liter of water by 10°C in 1
second.
Cell Phone - Ear Warming?
• Have you ever noticed the warm sensation
in ear after using mobile phone for a long
time?
Warm sensation > pain > tinnitus
Tinnitus is Ringxiety- sensation of cell
phone ring
SAR Limit for Mobiles & Towers
•  SAR (Specific absorption rate) - Rate at which radiation is absorbed by human
body, measured in watts per kg (W/kg).

σ is the conductivity (S/m) and ρ is the mass density (kg/),  (V/m)the total amplitude of electrical field in root mean
square.
• In USA, max. SAR limit for cell phones is 1.6 W/Kg which is for 6 minutes.
• In EU, max. SAR limit for cell phones is 2 W/Kg which is for 6 minutes.
• It has a safety margin of 3 to 4, so a person should not use cell phone for more
than 18 to 24 minutes per day.
The Phones Emitting the Most Radiation

• The German Federal Office for


Radiation Protection has
a comprehensive database of
smartphones - new and old - and
the level of radiation they emit.
The Phones Emitting the Least
Radiation
•  The German certification for
environmental friendliness (Blue Angel)
only certifies phones which have a
specific absorption rate of less than 0.60
watts per kilogram
Radiation Pattern of a Cell Tower
Antenna

• People living within 50 to 300 meter radius are in the high radiation zone
(dark blue) and are more prone to ill-effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Power Density at Distance from Cell
Tower
 • For = 20 W, = 17 dB = 50
•• For
  = 20 W, = 17 dB = 50 No. of carriers = 5, No. of operators = 3
Distance R (m) (W/m 2 )
1 79.6
3
3 8.84
8.84
5
5 3.18
3.18
10
10 0.796
0.796
50
50 0.0318
0.0318
100
100 0.008
0.008
500
500 0.000318
0.000318

Above values are for a single carrier For 5 carriers and 3 operators on the same
and a single operator. roof top or tower, radiation level is
extremely high. GSM cell tower power density levels – percentiles
Biological Effects on Human
Body
• In 2011, Dr. Volkow’s  research showed that the brain increased glucose
metabolism when exposed to cell phone radiation.

• Dr. Suleyman Kaplan has published multiple research studies showing


damaged brain development in the offspring of prenatally exposed test
subjects.
Effect on Environment: Plants
• Electromagnetic (EMF) frequencies have been found
to alter the growth and development of plants. 
• Electromagnetic  exposure results in biochemical
changes.
• Research shows that plants respond to
electromagnetic fields and are a good model to study
the biological effects of exposure.
Effect on Environment: Birds &
Animals
• Have you ever seen any bird near cell
towers?
• May be not because birds have more volume
and less weight, so heating effect is very fast.
Also interferes with navigation and
reproduction.
• Dairy cows – Decreased milk production,
developmental problems and decline in
overall health.
• Sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits living near base
stations also gets affected.
WHO: Cell phone use can increase
cancer risk
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of WHO designates
cell phones as "possible human carcinogen” [Class 2B].
• Research studies that showed long-term users of cell phones had higher rates of
brain cancer on the side of the head where they held the phone.
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
• Hundreds Of Scientists Worldwide
Recommend Taking Action To Reduce
Exposures To Wireless Devices Because
Of The Serious Health Effects From
These Devices.

• Keep cell phone well away from your body during calls whenever possible. Use a
headset or speakerphone mode.
• The effects of cellular damage are greatest on growing, developing organisms, so
limit children's use of cell phones!
• Avoid Using Your Cell Phone When The Signal Is Weak
• Buy a device with the lowest SAR possible.
• Don’t sleep with your phone inches away.
Conclusion
• Until now, man has been absorbing the harmful, unseen EM radiations without
even being aware of it, but now, with rapid advent in technology this RF
Radiation pollution has started having ill effects on human health and health of
animals.
• Only thermal effects show high radiation hazard.
• In addition to continuous radiation from cell towers and cell phones, there is
radiation from computers, laptops, TV &FM towers, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi,
etc., which are additive in nature.
• Mobile companies should not be in the denial mode and accept that radiation
causes serious health problems.
• People around the world will carry out research to come out with solutions

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