The effect of magnetic field from base transceiver station to the health

 (this one is random BTS)

(concealed BTS as tree in Dublin, Ireland)

The effect of magnetic field from base transceiver station to the health

We have heard many study intended to investigate the effect of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone. Although conclusion it is not declared yet that the radioation is harmfull to our health, but how about base transceifer station (BTS) which is emitting the radiation everytime in 24 hours to population inhabit near the area?

It is my concern now to find the answer, because I have to decide wheter I will live near BTS for at least one year ahead or not. I was proposed to rent a house in area that near to BTS, now I am thinking it. It’s clear that thermal effect of the electromagnetic radiation is neglectable, but non thermal effect to healt is debateable. Maybe you can make a suggestion to me. Here some articles, I read before deciding the problem.

1.       This one is relaxing…

Misalkan saja pada menara BTS dengan frekuensi 1800 MHz daya yang di gunakan rata- rata 20 watt pada frekuensi 900 MHz 40 watt, sedangkan pada pesawat handphone dengan frekuensi 1800 MHz menggunakan daya sebesar 1 watt dan yang 900 MHz daya yang di gunakan ialah 2 watt. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan, pada jarak 1 meter (jalur pita pancar utama), menara BTS dengan frekuensi 1800 MHz menghasilkan total daya radiasi sebesar 9,5 watt/m2 dan pada jarak 12 meter maka akan menghasilkan total radiasi sebesar o,55 watt/m2. Untuk kasus menara BTS yang mempunyai tinggi di atas 50 meter, berdasarkan hasil perhitungan, akan menghasilkan total radiasi sebesar 0,029 watt/m2. Jadi kalau melihat hasil perhitungan, sebenarnya angka radiasi sangatlah kecil, sehingga orang yang tinggal di sekitar menara BTS cukup aman.

Experts consulted by France considered it was mandatory that main antenna axis not to be directly in front of a living place at a distance shorter than 100 metres. This recommendation was modified in 2003 to say that antennas located within a 100-metre radius of primary schools or childcare facilities should be better integrated into the cityscape and was not included in a 2005 expert report. The Agence française de sécurité sanitaire environnementale currently says that there is no demonstrated short term effect of electromagnetic fields on health, but that there are open questions for long term effects, and that it's easy to reduce exposure via technological improvements.

2.       This article is unclear to me, makes me worried a little…

A meta-analysis (2008) of 63 in vitro and in vivo studies from the years 1990–2005 concluded that RF radiation was genotoxic only in some conditions and that the studies reporting positive effects evidenced publication bias.

A meta-study (2009) of 101 publications on genotoxicity of RF electromagnetic fields showed that 49 reported a genotoxic effect and 42 not. The authors found "ample evidence that RF-EMF can alter the genetic material of exposed cells in vivo and in vitro and in more than one way".

In 1995, in the journal Bioelectromagnetics, Henry Lai and Narenda P. Singh reported damaged DNA after two hours of microwave radiation at levels deemed safe according to U.S. government standards.

Some users of mobile handsets have reported feeling several unspecific symptoms during and after its use; ranging from burning andtingling sensations in the skin of the head and extremities, fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, loss of mental attention, reaction times and memory retentiveness, headaches, malaise, tachycardia (heart palpitations), to disturbances of the digestive system. Reports have noted that all of these symptoms can also be attributed to stress and that current research cannot separate the symptoms from nocebo effects.

A 2009 study examined the effects of exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by standard GSM cell phones on the cognitive functions of humans. The study confirmed longer (slower) response times to a spatial working memory task when exposed to RFR from a standard GSM cellular phone placed next to the head of male subjects, and showed that longer duration of exposure to RFR may increase the effects on performance. Right-handed subjects exposed to RFR on the left side of their head on average had significantly longer response times when compared to exposure to the right side and sham-exposure.

This supports previous research showing mobile phones don’t damage cell DNA, meaning they can’t cause the type of genetic mutations that develop into cancer,” Professor Olver said.

However, it has been suggested that electromagnetic fields associated with mobile phones may play a role in speeding up the development of an existing cancer. The Interphone study found no evidence to support this theory.

3.       May be I will take the risk to live with it, while thinking about the effect of radio frequency field…

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)which said in a statement that:

On the basis of current understanding of the relationship between brain cancer and use of mobile phones, including the recently published data from the INTERPHONE study, ARPANSA:

·         concludes that currently available data do not warrant any general recommendation to limit use of mobile phones in the adult population,

·         continues to inform those concerned about potential health effects that they may limit their exposure by reducing call time, by making calls where reception is good, by using hands-free devices or speaker options, or by texting; and

·         recommends that, due to the lack of any data relating to children and long term use of mobile phones, parents encourage their children to limit their exposure by reducing call time, by making calls where reception is good, by using hands-free devices or speaker options, or by texting.

The Cancer Council Australia said in a statement that it cautiously welcomed the results of the largest international study to date into mobile phone use, which has found no evidence that normal use of mobile phones, for a period up to 12 years, can cause brain cancer.

Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Olver, said findings from the Interphone study, conducted across 13 countries including Australia, were consistent with other research that had failed to find a link between mobile phones and cancer.

It’s not only phone cell and the BTS that make me worrid but also television, especially to my children is my concern. By the way, all of us as parent just trying to make it safe to optimalize for our children growth. We don’t know what happen next, just hoping and praying for good live.