Hygienic assessment of electromagnetic fields generated by base stations in public buildings

Introduction. To ensure high-quality mobile communications, base stations (BS) with indoor ones are located in public buildings antennas, which forms the electromagnetic background in the rooms. There is a steady tendency for radiating technology to approach humans directly, and the number of people forced to come into contact with electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the radio frequency (RF) range is sharply increasing, and consideration of these issues is highly relevant. The article presents the results of a hygienic study of the electromagnetic environment in various public buildings. Material and methods. The methods of managing mobile communications, the composition and technical characteristics, operating modes of equipment, and antenna locations were studied. Instrumental measurements and hygienic assessment of the RF EMF generated by the internal antennas of the base stations were carried out. Results. Measurements of RF EMF levels were carried out from the antennas of base stations of mobile operators Megafon PJSC, MTS PJSC, VimpelCom PJSC, T2 Mobile LLC at the stage of commissioning and located in the premises of shopping malls and administrative buildings. Instrumental measurements (in the absence of visitors) revealed no excess of the EMF maximum permissible level of 10 MW/cm2 for the 0.3–300 GHz range. Limitations. The results of a study of the electromagnetic environment in six buildings of shopping malls and administrative buildings are presented. Conclusion. RF EMF in the premises, as well as electromagnetic fields created by the antennas of the distribution zone in open areas, are a factor of forced risk to public health. Despite the fact that no exceedances of the maximum permissible levels were recorded during measurements, it was concluded that it was necessary to develop methodological approaches to measuring the levels of electromagnetic fields created by radio-electronic means of modern information technologies in public buildings.