Kuzey Kıbrıs Baz İstasyonlarının Radyofrekans Elektromanyetik Alanları: Düzenleyici Standartlarla Karşılaştırmalı Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Radyofrekans Elektromanyetik Alan (RF-EMA) ölçümleri, güvenlik standartlarını veya düzenlemelerini belirlemek, epidemiyolojik çalışmalar için kullanılan verileri elde etmek ve baz istasyonlarından uzun süreli maruziyet sonuçlarını gözlemlemek için yapılır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Kuzey Kıbrıs'ta 2009-2020 yılları arasında baz istasyonlarının neden olduğu RF-EMA kamu maruziyetindeki değişimi analiz etmek ve sonuçları ulusal ve uluslararası kılavuzlarla karşılaştırarak olası olumsuz sağlık etkilerini tanımlamaktır. Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, Kuzey Kıbrıs Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu (BTHK) tarafından 2009-2020 yılları arasında Lefkoşa, Girne, Gazi Mağusa, Güzelyurt ve Yeni İskele'de yapılan altı ölçüm raporu incelenmiş, baz istasyonlarının neden olduğu RF-EMA kamu maruziyetindeki değişim analiz edilmiş ve olumsuz sağlık etkileri değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar ulusal ve uluslararası kılavuzlarla karşılaştırılmıştır. Bulgular: Ölçüm sayısı 2009 yılında 18.390, 2011 yılında 20.000, 2013 yılında 28.691, 2016 yılında 170.725, 2018 yılında 486.214, 2020 yılında 353.819'dur. Cep telefonu kullanıcı sayısı 2013 yılında 596.000, 2016 yılında 804.345, 2018 yılında 877.990, 2020 yılında 818.728’dir. 2009 ve 2020 yıllarındaki; Lefkoşa, Girne, Gazi Mağusa, Güzelyurt ve Yeni İskele'de ölçüm değerleri sırasıyla 5.65 – 0.63, 2.82 – 0.57, 3.26 – 0.58, 3.27 – 0.57 ve 3.85 – 0.55 V/m arasında değişmektedir. Sonuç: Bilimsel kanıtlarla birlikte mevcut veriler, kısa süreli RF-EMA'ya maruz kalmanın, bireylerde refah seviyeleri veya fiziksel semptomlarla ilişkili olmadığı sonucuna varmıştır. Bu nedenle kısa ve uzun vadeli olumsuz etkiler dikkate alınarak ölçümler yapılmalıdır. Anahtar Kelimeler: radyofrekans; elektromanyetik alan; sağlık etkileri; ICNIRP

Keywords

• radyofrekans
• elektromanyetik alan
• sağlık etkileri
• ICNIRP

Radiofrequency electromagnetic field of base stations in Northern Cyprus: A descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the change in Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) public exposure caused by base stations (BSs) between 2009-2020 in Cyprus with respect to the parameters stated in the reports, and to define potential adverse health effects by comparing the results with national and international guidelines. Method: In this study, six measurement reports published by Information Technologies and Communication Authority (ITCA) in Cyprus between 2009-2020 were reviewed, the change in the RF-EMF public exposure caused by BSs were analyzed and adverse health effects comparing the results with national and international guidelines were defined. Results: The total of measurement points is 18.390 in 2009, 20.000 in 2011, 28.691 in 2013, 170.725 in 2016, 486.214 in 2018, 353.819 in 2020. The number of mobile phone users is 596.000 in 2013, 804.345 in 2016, 877.990 in 2018, 818.728 in 2020. In Lefkoşa, Girne, Gazi Mağusa, Güzelyurt and Yeni İskele the measurement values varied between 5.65-0.63, 2.82–0.57, 3.26-0.58, 3.27–0.57 and 3.85–0.55 V/m in 2009 and 2020, respectively. Conclusion: The present data along with scientific evidence lead to the conclusion that short-term RF-EMF exposure results should be defined within the precautionary principle. Measurement results were highly variable and varied considerably between years within as well as between districts. To define the explicit reason for exposure level change during the years, the measurements must be done by considering short- and long-term adverse effects in the same location in each year.

Keywords

• radiofrequency
• electromagnetic fields
• health effects
• ICNIRP

References

1. Kostoff RN, Heroux P, Aschner M, Tsatsakis A. Adverse health effects of 5G mobile networking technology under real-life conditions. Toxicology Letters 2020;323:35-40.
2. Lebl AV, Budimir D. Maximum electric field estimation in the vicinity of 5G base stations before their start-up. Vojnotehnički glasnik 2023;71(2): 345-361.
3. Moon JH. Health effects of electromagnetic fields on children. Clin exp pediatr 2020;63(11): 422.
4. Ziegelberger G, Croft R, Feychting M, et al. Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz). Health Phys 2020;118(5):483-524.
5. Stam R. Comparison of international policies on electromagnetic fields:(power frequency and radiofrequency fields) [online]. 2019. Available at: https://rivm.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10029/623629/2018998.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed July 14, 2023.
6. WHO. Electromagnetic fields (EMF). The International EMF Project. Available at: https://www.who.int/initiatives/the-international-emf-project. Accessed July 14, 2023.
7. IEEE. C95.1-2019. IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz. Available at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8859679. Accessed July 14, 2023.
8. Policies, guidelines, regulations and assessments of human exposure to radio- frequency electromagnetic fields: Output Report on ITU-D Question 7/2 for the study period 2018-2021. Available at: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/stg/d-stg-sg02.07.2-2021-pdf-e.pdf. Accessed July 14, 2023.

9. Kurnaz C, Aygun T. Exposure assessment of radio frequency electromagnetic field levels in hospitals of Samsun Province, Turkey. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2020;27(27):34005-34017.
10. Giudici P, Genier JC, Martin S, et al. Radiofrequency exposure of people living near mobile-phone base stations in France. Environ Res 2021;194:110500.
11. Iakovidis S, Apostolidis C, Manassas A, Samaras T. Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Assessment in Europe Utilizing Publicly Available Data. Sensors 2022;22(21):8481.
12. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu. Available at: https://www.btk.gov.tr/guvenlik-sertifikasi-ve-limit-degerler 22 nisan 2019. Accessed July 14, 2023.
13. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2020. Available at: https://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/2020_EMF_%20Raporu.pdf. Accessed July 14, 2023.
14. Buckus R, Strukčinskienė B, Raistenskis J, et al. A Technical approach to the evaluation of radiofrequency radiation emissions from mobile telephony base stations. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017;14(3):2-18.
15. Sagar S, Adem SM, Struchen B, et al. Comparison of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure levels in different everyday microenvironments in an international context. Environ Int 2018;114:297-306.
16. Davis D, Birnbaum L, Ben-Ishai P, et al. Wireless technologies, non-ionizing electromagnetic fields and children: Identifying and reducing health risks. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2023;53:101374.
17. Parliamentary Assembly. The Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields and Their Effect on the Environment. Available at: https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTMLen.asp?fileid=17994&. Accessed July 14, 2023.
18. ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Phys. 1998;74:494–522. Accessed July 14, 2023.
19. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu (BTK - Information Technologies and Communication Authority). 2011. Available at: http://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/Metin.AspxMevzuatKod=7.5.14927&MevzuatIliski=0&sourc eXmlSearch=cihazlarından. [in Turkish] Accessed July 14, 2023.
20. Tuysuz B, Mahmutoglu Y. Measurement and mapping of the GSM-based electromagnetic pollution in the Black Sea region of Turkey. Electromagn Biol Med 2017;36(2):132-140.
21. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2009. Available online: http://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/KKTC-EMF-olcum-raporu_2009-2.pdf. [in Turkish] Accessed May 05, 2022.
22. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2011. Available online: http://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/KKTC-EMF-olcum-raporu_2011-1.pdf. [in Turkish] Accessed May 05, 2022.
23. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2013. Available online: http://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/KKTC-EMF-olcum-raporu_2013-1.pdf. [in Turkish] Accessed May 05, 2022.
24. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2016. Available online: http://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/KKTC-EMF-olcum-raporu_2016-1.pdf. [in Turkish] Accessed May 05, 2022.
25. Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Haberleşme Kurumu Ölçüm sonuçları (Information Technologies and Communication Authority [ITCA] Measurement Report). 2018. Available online: http://www.bthk.org/Documents/raporlar/emf-olcum-raporlari/KKTC-EMF-olcum-raporu_2018.pdf. [in Turkish] Accessed May 05, 2022.
26. Visschers VH, Siegrist M. Differences in risk perception between hazards and between individuals. In: Raue M, Lermer E, Streicher B, editors. Psychological perspectives on risk and risk analysis: theory, models, and applications. 1st ed. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG; 2018:63-80.
27. Zelekea BM, Bhattb CR, Brzozeka C, Abramsona MJ, Freudensteine F, Crofte RJ, Wiedemanne P, Benkea G. Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure and risk perception: A pilot experimental study. Environmental Research 2019:170;493–499.
28. Hosseinabadi MB, Khanjani N, Ebrahimi MH, Haji B, AbdolahfardM. The effect of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep quality, stress, depression and anxiety. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 2019:38 (1); 96–101.
29. Freudenstein F, Wiedemann PM, Varsier N. Exposure knowledge and risk perception of RF EMF. Front Public Health 2015;13(2):289.
30. Koppel T, Ahonen M, Carlberg M, Hardell L. Very high radiofrequency radiation at Skeppsbron in Stockholm, Sweden from mobile phone base station antennas positioned close to pedestrians’ heads. Environ Res 2022;208:112627.
31. Malek F, Rani KA, Rahim HA, Omar MH. Effect of short-term mobile phone base station exposure on cognitive performance, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure of Malaysians. Sci Rep 2015;19(5):13206.
32. Berto FH and Al-Hijazi AY. Evaluation of 900 mhz mobile phone effects on palate and tooth germ development in mouse embryo (histological & immunohistochemical study). J Bagh College Dentistry 2012;24(2):39-46.
33. Alchalabi AS, Aklilu E, Aziz AR, et al. Impact of electromagnetic radiation exposure during pregnancy on embryonic skeletal development in rats. J Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction 2017;6(3):104-111.
34. Yan JG, Agresti M, Zhang LL, Yan Y, Matloub HS. Qualitative effect on mRNAs of injury-associated proteins by cell phone like radiation in rat facial nerves. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 2009;28(4):383-390.
35. Ciaula AD. Towards 5G communication systems: Are there health implications?. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018;221:367-375.
36. Adda S, Aureli T, D’elia S, et al. A theoretical and experimental investigation on the measurement of the electromagnetic field level radiated by 5G base stations. Ieee Access 2020;8:101448-101463.
37. Ursăchianu MV, Lăzărescu C, Bejenaru O, Sălceanu A. Assessment of human exposure to EMF generated by 5G mobile phone base stations. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2022;1254(1):012026.
38. Amiri F, Moradinazar M, Moludi J, et al. The association between self-reported mobile phone usage with blood pressure and heart rate: Evidence from a cross-sectional study. BMC public health 2022;22(1):1-10.