Monitoring and assessment of electromagnetic pollution in Samsun (Turkey)

As a result of technological developments and consumers' demands give rise to an increase in the number of base stations day by day. Measuring and evaluating the exposed electromagnetic radiation (EMR) levels have become more substantial for human health especially in city centers where base stations are used densely. Thus, in this study, EMR measurements were conducted in two stages in Samsun city center. First, EMR measurements were performed using PMM 8053 for the appointed locations and time periods. Second, drive test measurements were done for much wider region through SRM-3006. It is concluded from the measurements that the maximum measured total electric field strength (E) in the band between 100 kHz - 3 GHz is 7.32 V/m which is below the limits determined by ICNIRP. A detailed examination of band selective measurements demonstrate that the main EMR sources in Samsun city center are the base stations which use 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz frequency bands, and 2100MHz has the most contribution to total E with 70%. Furthermore, an empirical model that helps calculating the total E of medium through these three main EMR sources with 99% was proposed.