Evaluation Of Power Density Of Ray Emissions From Gsm Masts In Selected Locations Of Ilorin Metropolis

Plate 1: Typical 900MHz GSM Masts used in Nigeria

MOBILE PHONE TRANSSMISSION MASTS (BASE STATION)

The greater concern among the public over proximity of masts rather than the use of handsets even by children, is understandable. The apparent unrestrained proliferation of masts and antennas, in some cases with minimal public consultation, has led to suspicion and organized  protest, particularly where these facilities have been sited or have been planned to be sited near schools, child care centres and like. Masts often represent a visual obtrusion and the sheer number of antennas on a mast shared by several carriers encourages the casual observer to assume that the EMFS can be focused or at least enhanced  in particular locations. Although the levels, when measured are indeed very low, the continous and whole body nature of the exposure gives the concerns some justifications. however it must be remembered that mobile phone transmissions, along with radio, TV, and other communications networks. (Eltiti et al, 2007) 

Mobile phones and towers Emits electromagnetic radiation having health effects which can be divided into thermal and non-thermal. Thermal effect refers to heating effect which you observe if you hold the phone for long near ear.

Non-thermal effects on the cells genes and the DNA are more harmful than thermal effects.

Excessives use of mobiles can lead to headache, sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, memory loss,tinnitus(ringing in the ears) and increased risk of brain cancer(Eltiti et al.,2007).

Having mobile towers in your neighbourhood can also pose health problems like severe headache,sleep disturbance,constant body pain,memory problems, joint pains e.t.c. The more severe health effects noted include infertility, miscarriage neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer parkinson) heart problems and cancer (Santini, 2003).

Several surveys have found a variety of self reported symptoms for people who live close to base stations (Hutter et al 2006)

The base station system is composed to two parts;

1. The base transceiver stations (BTS)

2. The base station controller (BSC)

The BTS and BSC communicates across the specified  interface, enabling operations between components of BBS may consist of four to seven or nine cells. A BSS may have one or more base stations. the BSS uses the interface between the BTS and the BSC.

A separate high speed line (T1 AND E1) is then connected from the BSS to the mobile MS.

THE BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION (BTS) 

The BTS houses the radio transceiver that defines a call and handles the radio link protocols with the NS. In a large urban area a large number of BTS may be deployed 

Each base transceiver station serves a single cell. it also includes following functions;

1. encoding, encrypting, multiplexing, modulating and feeding the RF signals to the antenna

2. Transcoding and rate adaptation

3. Time and frequency synchronizing 

4. Voice trough full or half services 

5. Decoding, decryption and equalizing receives signals

6. Random access detection 

7. Timing advances 

8. Uplink channels measurement (smith et al., 2002) POLLUTION

Pollution refers to excessive amounts of waste much of which contains harmful poisons, that are released into the environment –air, water and soil.

pollution is usually caused by people more specifically.it is caused by the waste produced by the cars we drive,the factories that make the things we buy, the power plants that produce the gas and electricity we use,and even the farms that grow the food we eat.

Pollution has been a problem ever since large numbers of people occupied a relatively small space.During the 1800s and 1900s,however,as the world became increasingly crowded and more factories were built, environmental ,pollution became a serious issue(Abbassi et al, .2011).

TYPES OF POLLUTION

Air pollution

Water pollution

Noise pollution

Radiation pollution

Thermal pollution

Soil pollution (Kelishadi et al.,2009)

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

It is the introduction of harmful pollutants into  a certain environment,that makes an environment unhealthy to live in. The widespread pollutants are usually chemicals, garbage, waste water. Environmental pollution is causing massive damage to the ecosystem that organisms depend upon the health of this environment to live in air and water pollution can cause death of myriad organisms in given ecosystems including Humans.

Environmental pollutants have various adverse health effects from early life some of the most important harmful effects are perinatal disorders,infant mortality,respiratory disorders,allergy,malignancies,cardiovascular disorders,increase in stress oxidative,endothelial dysfunctions, mental disorders,and various other harmful effects.(Hassan et al.,2011)