Radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure levels in different European outdoor urban environments in comparison with regulatory limits

Abstract

Background: Concerns of the general public about potential adverse health effects caused by radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) led authorities to introduce precautionary exposure limits, which vary considerably between regions. It may be speculated that precautionary limits affect the base station network in a manner that mean population exposure unintentionally increases. Aims: The objectives of this multicentre study were to compare mean exposure levels in outdoor areas across four different European cities and to compare with regulatory RF-EMF exposure levels in the corresponding areas. Methods: We performed measurements in the cities of Amsterdam (the Netherlands, regulatory limits for mobile phone base station frequency bands: 41-61. V/m), Basel (Switzerland, 4-6. V/m), Ghent (Belgium, 3-4.5. V/m) and Brussels (Belgium, 2.9-4.3. V/m) using a portable measurement device. Measurements were conducted in three different types of outdoor areas (central and non-central residential areas and downtown), between 2011 and 2012 at 12 different days. On each day, measurements were taken every 4. s for approximately 15 to 30. min per area. Measurements per urban environment were repeated 12 times during 1. year. Results: Arithmetic mean values for mobile phone base station exposure ranged between 0.22. V/m (Basel) and 0.41. V/m (Amsterdam) in all outdoor areas combined. The 95th percentile for total RF-EMF exposure varied between 0.46. V/m (Basel) and 0.82. V/m (Amsterdam) and the 99th percentile between 0.81. V/m (Basel) and 1.20. V/m (Brussels). Conclusions: All exposure levels were far below international reference levels proposed by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). Our study did not find indications that lowering the regulatory limit results in higher mobile phone base station exposure levels.