978-1-4799-6013-2/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE

A Detailed Study of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Towers and Effect of Natural Shielding

Materials

Vijesh.K.R1,3, Hrudya.B.Kurup1,3,5, P.Mohanan2, V.P.N.Nampoori1,3, Bindu.G3,4

1.International School of Photonics, 2.Center for Research in Electromagnetics and Antennas (CREMA) Department of Electronics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), 3.Swadesi Science Movement,

4. Nansen Environmental Research Center, Cochin 5.KMEA Engineering College, Department of Electronics Cochin- 22, Kerala, India.

Abstract—Electromagnetic radiations are inevitable part of twenty first century. The major sources of electromagnetic radiations are mobile phones and mobile towers.Enormous increase of mobile phone users cause high intensity electromagnetic radiation. This paper analyzes the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the growth of different seeds and also checks effect of different natural shielding materials. A statistical analysis of the radiation intensity in different regions of Cochin Corporation and Trivandrum are also tabulated using emr meter and compared with the bio-initiative report.

Keywords—Electromagnetic radiation; seed germination; shielding materials;EMR meter.

I. INTRODUCTION Due to the advancement in wireless communication technology there is an explosion of wireless personnel communication devices. The sophisticated technology and new applications that is extended by this industry helps people to be mobile yet connected in this world of fastness and speed. Due to this the dependency for these devices among public is increasing day by day. Particularly if we take the case of cell phones, cell phone technology has revolutionized the communication scenario all over the world .As a result of which the number of cell phone users and cell towers are increasing day by day. The hidden danger with electromagnetic waves is that we could not see it or smell it , or measure the amount passing through the air .

A mobile handset transmits 1to 2 Watts power. In the case of a GSM mobile tower it will transmit approximately 20 Watts power in one antenna. In most cases more than one antenna will be installed in one tower. So the effective radiated power increases with the number of antenna used. Maximum radiation intensity is within the range of 50 to 300 meters of the tower. This area considers as the danger zone. In the case of cell towers, it will radiate 24 x 7. Those not using mobile phones are also living in a sea of electromagnetic waves. Hence a continuous exposure is an alarming issue, especially when taken into account of the fact that the adverse effects of this exposure to electromagnetic radiations are not visible immediately.

II. MEASUERD RADIATION INTENSITY Electromagnetic radiation intensity is measured using EMR (Electromagnetic radiation) meter. This meter is calibrated with Agilent Spectrum Analyzer at CREMA (centre for research in electromagnetic and antennas) lab CUSAT. The radiation intensity is measured in dBm (Decibel in milliwatt). With reference to bio-initiative results, the intensity of radiation below -30 dBm is considered as safe level and those between -30 to -15 dBm as caution .The values above -15 dBm is considered as danger level for continuous radiation exposure. The first stage of our study was a survey which investigates the distribution of intensity of electromagnetic radiation in different areas of Cochin Corporation. The number of cell towers that are installed in these areas were also recorded. The mapped radiation intensity is as shown below.

Fig1: Measured Radiation Intensity at Cochin Corporation.

By analyzing the results and comparing with the bio –initiative recommendations, it is clear from the map that most of the places in Cochin Corporation has electromagnetic radiation intensity that is above the allowable limit and hence those regions are all classified under danger region. About 90% of areas can be classified under the caution region. Very few numbers of places are in the safe region. It was observed that thickly populated areas of the city are having radiation intensity above the recommended level. The increasing mobile phone density causes a corresponding increase in the number of mobile towers. Thickly populated areas are having more number towers so as to meet the customer requirements, which in turn increase radiation intensity in these areas. This can have an adverse effect on public health particularly when continuous exposure is concerned.

Fig 2: Measured Radiation Intensity at Thiruvananthapuram

In our survey at Triruvananthapuram, it was found that about 80% of area can be classified under caution region and there are three red spotted regions also. One of the notable observations throughout the survey is that the areas which are rich in foliages are having less radiation density.

III. ANALYSIS OF SEED GERMINATION ON EXPOSURE TO MOBILE PHONE RADIATION

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mobile radiation on seed germination and growth. For this experiment, four sets of seeds, Bengal Gram, Pea, Mung bean and Winged bean were selected. Each type of seeds was grouped into two sets, which are labeled as radiated and non-radiated. The radiated set of seeds was exposed to 30 minutes radiation in morning and evening. The other set was placed in a non radiated region. Growth measurements were recorded on a daily basis (root and shoot length) and was tabulated. Measured results are shown in the graph.

A. Growth of the Bengal gram.

B. Growth of the Mung bean.

C. Growth of the Pea.

D. Growth of the Winged bean.

These graphs show that there is considerable difference in growth between radiated and non radiated seeds.

Fig 3: Difference in radiated and non-radiated seeds in 30

minutes radiation.

The results clearly indicate that electromagnetic radiation has as impact on the growth of seeds, in turn on the life of human beings.Amoung the set of seeds taken for experiment, it was observed that bengal gram was more affected.

IV. EFFECT OF NATURAL SHIELDING MATERIALS Electromagnetic waves are absorbed by different types materials. These types of materials can be used as shielding materials. Shielding materials can be used as an effective solution for preventing the harmful radiations from wireless and other microwave devices.

Fig 4: Experimental setup

Fig 4 shows the experimental set up. The study was conducted by selecting some easily available natural shielding material to test the efficiency of absorption of electromagnetic waves. These shielding materials can be effectively used in wireless personnel communication devices so as to reduce the intensity of electromagnetic radiation toward user body.

TABLE 1 : SHEILDING MATERIALS

No

Material used for Shielding

EMR readings

(dBm) 1. No Object -15

2. Metal -26 3. Leaf -21

4. Plastic box -19 5. Plastic box filled with water -22 6. Aluminum foil -25

The results indicate that among the materials selected metal and aluminum foil are very good absorbent of electromagnetic waves. They can be effectively used as radiation shield in mobile phones. Another important observation is that foliages can provide a natural shielding from electromagnetic radiation. In this experiment also indicates that leafs are very good absorbent of electromagnetic radiation.

V. CONCLUSION The paper studies the effect of the electromagnetic radiation on human beings. A statistical analysis of the electromagnetic radiation intensity in various parts of Cochin and Trivandrum are also tabulated with an EMR meter and the results are compared with the bio-initiative report. The effects of various shielding materials are also studied.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT Authors are thankful to KSCSTE for financial assistance through emeritus scientist scheme. They are also thankful to Director ISP and Head of the Department ISP CUSAT for providing facilities to carry out the project . Authors also acknowledge interest in the project by Swadesi science movement Kerala.

REFERENCES [1] Neha Kumar and Prof. Girish Kumar,” Biological Effects of Cell Tower

Radiation on Human Body”, Electrical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay Powai, Mumbai. ISMOT /09/C/318.

[2] Haumann Thomas, et al, “ HF-Radiation levels of GSM cellular phone towers in residential areas”,http://nocelltower.com/German%20RF%2 0Research%20Article.pdf.

[3] Thomas haumann, Uwe münzenberg, “HF-radiation levels of GSM cellular phone towers in residential areas”Umweltanalytik und Baubiologie, Meisenburgstrasse25,D-45133Essen,Germany

[4] Hardell Lennart et al, “Epidemiological evidence for an association between use of wireless phones and tumor diseases”, Pathophysiology, PATPHY- 595, 2009.

[5] International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP),1998, “Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magneticand Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz),” Health Phys., 74, pp. 494–522.

65 CM

56 CM

Shielding material

Mobile phone

EMR meter