Analysis of the spatial distribution and comparison of the levels of radiofrequency pollution in Sri Lanka's two most populous cities

Environmental monitoring and assessment · 2023 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 443

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental monitoring and assessment · 2023

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Analysis of the spatial distribution and comparison of the levels of radiofrequency pollution in Sri Lanka's two most populous cities Suraweera Satuwk, Jayaratne KPSC. Analysis of the spatial distribution and comparison of the levels of radiofrequency pollution in Sri Lanka's two most populous cities. Environ Monit Assess. 2023 Jun 14;195(7):839. doi: 10.1007/s10661-023-11444-x. Abstract In the twenty-first century, wireless communication tools have become indispensable in our daily lives, particularly during a pandemic, playing a crucial role. However, it is important to recognize that prolonged and excessive exposure to radiofrequency (RF) waves, which serve as carriers for these wireless communication systems, can have detrimental health effects. The aim of this study is to assess the spatial distribution and compare the levels of RF radiation emitted by the GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS, LTE2.6, and WLan2.4 frequency bands in the cities of Colombo and Kandy in Sri Lanka. The plane wave power density values for each frequency band were measured at designated survey locations using a SPECTRAN HF6065 spectrum analyzer with an HL7060 directional antenna. A total of 31 survey points were selected in Kandy City, while Colombo City had 67 survey points covering various public locations. The findings reveal that Colombo City exhibits a higher concentration of scattered hotspots in the LTE2.6 frequency band, whereas Kandy City demonstrates a higher concentration in the GSM900 frequency band. Furthermore, comparing the average results, the RF radiation pollution in Colombo City is more than 50% higher than that in Kandy City. The measured maximum RF level was detected in Colombo City in the frequency band GSM1800, and it is only 0.11% of the maximum permitted level as established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Conclusions Colombo City exhibits numerous hotspots with slightly higher RF exposure when considering both spatial distribution patterns. On the other hand, Kandy City has fewer scattered hotspots. The maximum equivalent plane wave power density (10,220 μW m−2) was observed in Colombo City, specifically in the GSM1800 frequency band, which corresponds to approximately 0.11% of the maximum permissible level. However, in terms of the exposure levels of the selected frequency bands, Colombo City is more than 50% more contaminated than Kandy City by these RF radiations. Moreover, the majority of measurements fall within the range of results from other case studies conducted in different countries, and all measurements are well below the international guidelines established based on the thermal effects of RF radiation. Nevertheless, further studies are required to evaluate the non-thermal effects and potential impacts of low-level RF radiation exposure and temporal variation of these RF exposure levels. All the data utilized in this study were collected in January 2022. The authors strongly recommend the continuous monitoring of these exposure levels and the conduct of cross-sectional studies on the health effects of RF radiation. This recommendation arises from the continuous expansion of cellular tower structures and other wireless networks, emphasizing the need to stay updated and vigilant in understanding the potential impacts on health. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample size98

ExposureRF · Measurements collected in January 2022

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Plane wave power density was measured at 67 survey points in Colombo and 31 in Kandy across GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS, LTE2.6, and WLAN 2.4 bands. Colombo showed more scattered hotspots in LTE2.6, while Kandy showed higher concentration in GSM900; average RF pollution in Colombo was reported as >50% higher than Kandy. The maximum measured level was 10,220 μW m−2 in Colombo (GSM1800), reported as ~0.11% of the ICNIRP maximum permitted level; all measurements were stated to be well below international guidelines based on thermal effects.

Outcomes measured

Equivalent plane wave power density (μW m−2) by frequency band
Spatial distribution of RF exposure hotspots
Comparison of average RF exposure levels between Colombo and Kandy
Maximum measured RF level as % of ICNIRP maximum permitted level

Limitations

Health outcomes were not measured (exposure assessment only).
Data collection limited to January 2022 (no temporal/seasonal variation assessed).
Authors note need for further studies on non-thermal effects and health impacts.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless networks (GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS, LTE2.6, WLAN 2.4)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Measurements collected in January 2022"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 98,
  "outcomes": [
    "Equivalent plane wave power density (μW m−2) by frequency band",
    "Spatial distribution of RF exposure hotspots",
    "Comparison of average RF exposure levels between Colombo and Kandy",
    "Maximum measured RF level as % of ICNIRP maximum permitted level"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Plane wave power density was measured at 67 survey points in Colombo and 31 in Kandy across GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS, LTE2.6, and WLAN 2.4 bands. Colombo showed more scattered hotspots in LTE2.6, while Kandy showed higher concentration in GSM900; average RF pollution in Colombo was reported as >50% higher than Kandy. The maximum measured level was 10,220 μW m−2 in Colombo (GSM1800), reported as ~0.11% of the ICNIRP maximum permitted level; all measurements were stated to be well below international guidelines based on thermal effects.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Health outcomes were not measured (exposure assessment only).",
    "Data collection limited to January 2022 (no temporal/seasonal variation assessed).",
    "Authors note need for further studies on non-thermal effects and health impacts."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency pollution",
    "RF exposure",
    "power density",
    "spatial distribution",
    "GSM900",
    "GSM1800",
    "UMTS",
    "LTE 2.6",
    "WLAN 2.4",
    "Sri Lanka",
    "Colombo",
    "Kandy",
    "ICNIRP"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Study compares measured RF levels to ICNIRP maximum permitted level and references international guidelines."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11444-x
PubMed: 37314552

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