Assessment of exposure to RF-EMF among telecommunication tower workers in Kuwait

The telecommunication industry has driven a global increase in teledensity, leading to reliance on wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, phone calls, and signal transmissions. This study investigates the impact of electromagnetic field emissions from mobile telephone base stations on workers' exposure to non-ionizing radiation in Kuwait. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 workers operating on or near telecommunication towers in Kuwait. Radiation exposure levels were measured across frequency bands from 900 to 3700 MHz, covering GSM 2G to 5G technologies. Participants were categorized by occupational roles and work experience. Data on health awareness and perceptions of radiation exposure were also collected. Despite Kuwait's stringent radiation safety benchmarks set at 10 microwatt/cm2—45 times below ICNIRP recommended limits—misconceptions about radiation exposure persist among workers. Telecommunication infrastructure in Kuwait operates well within safe exposure limits. However, increased safety training and public awareness campaigns are needed to address misconceptions. Continuous monitoring and education can ensure workers' well-being.