Monitoring of the Radiating Waves from the Mobile Base Transceiver Stations in Boroujerd, Lorestan Province

Today, with the developments of technology, the use of mobile phones has become an inevitable principle in human life, and in this field, mobile base transceiver stations (BTS) have been developed as one of the necessary infrastructures. The assessment of electromagnetic waves produced by these stations assumes critical importance in management planning for deploying these systems and maintaining environmental standards. The present study aimed to measure the ambient waves emitted by BTS towers of Irancell and Hamrah-e-Aval operators in Boroujerd in Lorestan province and compare it with available standards.

This is a descriptive-analytical study. In this research, the measurements were performed using an electromagnetic field meter (Spectran HF-4060) at the distances of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 meters from each antenna at the same weather and time conditions. The obtained data (magnetic fields and power density) were analyzed with Mann-Whitney statistical test and compared with available standards.

This research found that in both Irancell and Hamrah-e-Aval operators, the power densities calculated at specified distances were much lower than the standard limits. The comparison of disease complications based on the GHQ questionnaire in the residents around Irancell antennas and the first satellite demonstrated that in both antennas, the highest percentage of disease complications were mild or least, moderate and none, respectively, and there were no severe disease complications.

As evidenced by the results of this study, the level of electromagnetic waves in the studied areas in both Irancell and Hamrah Aval antennas was lower compared to the existing standards.