Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Measuring the amount of radio wave radiation of BTS antennas using the regulatory model with Soft systems methodology approach (Study case: Ahvaz metropolis)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Alireza Malekijahan 1
Maryam Shoar 1
Ali Rajabzadeh Ghatari 1
Azim Fard 2
1 Department of Industrial Management, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Electrical Engineering, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22052/rsm.2023.253008.1027
Abstract
The growing trend electromagnetic waves such as mobile phones, which causes more people to be exposed to electromagnetic fields; It doubles the necessity of research regarding the possible effects of these waves on the health of citizens. Therefore, the present study was conducted using the soft systems methodology (SSM) and the problem-solving structure with the aim of measuring the actual radiation level of the base station transmitter (BTS). Also, effective solutions were presented to reduce human risks in the face of waves. Methodology: In this study, 10 high-risk spots were selected from the metropolis of Ahvaz in cooperation with the regulator, the Regulatory and Radio Communications Organization of the Southwest Region. Then, with the related equipment and the NARDA device, the radiation level of the transmitter base station was measured. For each point, measurements were made at 3 different heights (100, 150 and 170 cm from the ground) with different distances (20, 30 and 100 meters from the antenna (BTS). Also, the duration of the measurement in each. The height was determined by 6 minutes according to the relevant standards. Finally, the maximum amount of radiation level obtained as a result was recorded for each point. Despite choosing the highest value obtained for each point, after comparing the extracted results with the threshold limit set by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, it was determined that all the points in question met the threshold limit and there was a huge difference with the minimum They had a threshold. Therefore, it can be concluded that the level of radiation in these places is not worrisome and this result can be generalized to larger scales. At the same time, considering that the concerns regarding the long-term effects of exposing people to radio frequency radiation are ongoing; Effective solutions were presented to reduce the presence of people exposed to electromagnetic fields.
Keywords
electromagnetic radiation
base station transmitter (BTS)
soft systems (SSM)
mobile phone
metropolis
  1. M. J. Ortner, M. J. Galvin, D. I. McRee. Studies on acute in vivo exposure of rats to 2450 MHz microwave radiation. Radiat. Res. 86 (1981) 580–588.
  2. R. W. Y. Habash. Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation Human Bioeffects and Safety. CRC Press. Health Effects, Elsevier, 2018.
  3. R. Acharya, D. Kumar, G. Mathur. Study of Electromagnetic Radiation Effects on Human Body and Reduction Techniques. In: Optical and Wireless Technologies, Springer, Singapore, 2018.
  4. G. H. Stephen. The Systems Thinking Approach to Strategic Planning and Management. Boca Raton, London, 2000.
  5. M. Rosenhead, J. Mingers (eds.). Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited, 2nd edn., John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 2001.
  6. J. Mingers, Soft OR comes of age—but not everywhere!. Omega 39 (6) (2011) 729–741.
  7. P. Check land, S. Holwell. Information, Systems and Information Systems-Making Sense of the Field. Wiley, Chichester, 1998.
  8. L. J. Fine, Surveillance in occupational health, Int. J. Occup. Environ. Health 5 (1999) 26-29.
  9. J. D. Schipper, D. D. Dankel, A. A. Arroyo, J. L. Schauben. A knowledge-based clinical toxicology consultant for diagnosing single exposures. Art. Intell. Med. 55 (2) (2012) pp. 87- 95.
  10. P. B. Check land. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1999.
  11. R. Durusoy, H. Hassoy. Electromagnetic Fields from Mobile Phones and Their Base Stations: Health effects, Encyclopedia of Environmental Health. 2nd edn, Ege University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey, 2019.
  12. T.  Miah, D. Kamat. Current Understanding of the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields. Pediatric Ann. 46 (4) (2017) e172-e174.
  13. J.  D. Usman, U. M. Isyaku, R. A. Magaji, A. A. Fasanmade. Assessment of electromagnetic fields, vibration and sound exposure effects from multiple transceiver mobile phones on oxidative stress levels in serum, brain and heart tissue. Sci. African 7 (2020) e00271.
  14. D. Kumar, G. Mathur, R. Acharya. Study of Electromagnetic Radiation Effects on Human Body and Reduction Techniques. In: V. Janyani, M. Tiwari, G. Singh, P. Minzioni (eds), Optical and Wireless Technologies. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol 472. Springer, Singapore, 2018.
  15. A. Cabré-Rieraa, H. El Marround, R. Muetzel, L. van Wel, I. Liorni, A. Thielens, L. E. Birks, L. Pierotti, A. Huss, W. Joseph, J. Wiart, M. Capstick, M. Hillegers, R. Vermeulen, E. Cardis, M. Vrijheid, T. White, M. Röösli, H. Tiemeier, M. Guxens. Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents. Environ. Int.142 (2) (2020) 105808.
  16. L. E. Birks, B, Struchen, M. Eeftens, L. van Wel, A. Huss, P. Gajšek, L. Kheifets, M. Gallastegi, A. Dalmau-Bueno; M. Estarlich, M. F. Fernandez, I. K. Meder, A. Ferrero, A. Jiménez-Zabala, M. Torrent, T. G. M. Vrijkotte, E. Cardis, J. Olsen, B.Valič, R. Vermeulen, M. Vrijheid, M. Röösli, M. Guxens. Spatial and temporal variability of personal environmental exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in children in Europe. Environ. Int. 117 (2018) 204–214.
  17. A. Yahyazadeh, B. Z. Altunkaynak. Investigation of the neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone on rat spinal cord exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field. J. Chem. Neuroanat. 100 (2019) 101657.
  18. G. Beretta, A. F. Mastorgio, L. Pedrali, S. Saponaro, E. Sezenna. The effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on microorganisms in the perspective of bioremediation. Rev. Environ. Sci. Biotechnol. 18 (2019) 29–75.
  19. M. M. Ohayon, V. Stolc, F. Freund, C. Milesi, S. S. Sullivan. The potential for impact of man-made super low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep. Sleep Med. Rev. 47 (2019) 28e38.
  20. G. A. S. Cruz. Microdosimetry: Principles and applications. Rep. Pract. Oncol. Radiother. 21 (2) (2016) 135–139.
  21. B. Ghandchi, T. Archer, D. Garcia. Electromagnetic fields and human beings: A person-centered approach to human technology. Clin. Exp. Psychol. 2 (3) (2016) 138.
  22. S. Z. Fatemi, A. Azar, A. Moghbelbaarz, A. khadivar. Exploring the concept of strategic renewal with soft system methodology. Sterategic Management Thought. 13 (1) (2019) 165-188. [in Persian]
  23. L. Bodewein, K. Schmiedchen, D. Dechent, D. Stunder, D. Graefrath, L. Winter, T. Kraus, S. Driessen. Systematic review on the biological effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in the intermediate frequency Range (300 Hz–1 MHz). Environ. Res. 171 (2019) 247-259.
  24. D. Poljak, K. E. Drissi, Computational Method in Electromagnetic Compatibility: Antenna Theory Approach versus Transmission line Models, Wiley Online Library, 2018.
  25. IRISI. Exposure Limits Non – Ionization Radiation. ISIRI 8567. Tehran: Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, 1385. [In Persian]
  26. National Standard of Iran - Limits of non-ionizing radiation - Code 8567, last edition 2015. [In Persian]
  27. The document form of the investigation and measurement of the level of radio radiation of the complained antennas - Iran Mobile Communications Company - with document code: page 6, table 3, measurement results FO-309-01/100. [In Persian]