Assessment of Radiofrequency Exposure Levels in Kampala District

Introduction

From table 1, the highest percentage contribution from all the measured sources in Kampala district was in the Central division. It should be noted that the measurements were carried out without necessarily taking into consideration of the vicinity of the mast. Hence the 8.71% could have been due to the proximity of the mast with respect to the measurement location. Therefore, at distances far away for this particular mast, the radiation strength is expected to decrease and besides the value was less than the maximum safety limit.

Conclusion

The measurements from the RF assessments conducted indicated that the RF radiation levels were below the maximum recommended safety guidelines at all the surveyed locations. However, continuous radiofrequency assessment measurements should be done regularly in the different divisions in Kampala district as the number of telecommunication masts continue to increase in a bid to boost the communication systems in the region.

Recommendations for Safety

• • Installers of the masts should ensure that transmitters are at a height above all residential buildings within the main beam direction.
  • To avoid non radiation hazards, a safe distance between the installment and the nearest occupancy should be observed.

Figure 2 indicates that the RF exposure levels at 105 out of the 117 measurement locations were below 0.3% which is considered insignificant compared to the safety limit of 100% as per the ICNIRP guidelines, 2020. However, at one measurement location (inside an apartment) the exposure level was 8.7%. This was attributed to the fact that the height of the transmitters on the mast and the measurement location were almost the same from the ground. Hence the transmitters need to be at a height higher than any occupied premises within the transmission range especially those in the main lobe.

The number of measurement locations and the range of RF exposure levels in the five divisions of Kampala is as shown in table 1.

From table 1, the highest percentage contribution from all the measured sources in Kampala district was in the Central division. It should be noted that the measurements were carried out without necessarily taking into consideration of the vicinity of the mast. Hence the 8.71% could have been due to the proximity of the mast with respect to the measurement location. Therefore, at distances far away for this particular mast, the radiation strength is expected to decrease and besides the value was less than the maximum safety limit.

Conclusion

The measurements from the RF assessments conducted indicated that the RF radiation levels were below the maximum recommended safety guidelines at all the surveyed locations. However, continuous radiofrequency assessment measurements should be done regularly in the different divisions in Kampala district as the number of telecommunication masts continue to increase in a bid to boost the communication systems in the region.

Recommendations for Safety

• • Installers of the masts should ensure that transmitters are at a height above all residential buildings within the main beam direction.
  • To avoid non radiation hazards, a safe distance between the installment and the nearest occupancy should be observed.

The measurements of the typical exposure levels were carried out randomly at 117 locations within the five divisions of Kampala districts. The choice of location for measurement depended on the occupancy. Locations with high occupancy such as markets, shopping centers and residential were prioritized. The exposure levels were contributions from the different sources of exposure from below FM to 3GHz frequency ranges. Figure 2 below show the distribution of the RF exposure levels in the Kampala district.

Figure 2 indicates that the RF exposure levels at 105 out of the 117 measurement locations were below 0.3% which is considered insignificant compared to the safety limit of 100% as per the ICNIRP guidelines, 2020. However, at one measurement location (inside an apartment) the exposure level was 8.7%. This was attributed to the fact that the height of the transmitters on the mast and the measurement location were almost the same from the ground. Hence the transmitters need to be at a height higher than any occupied premises within the transmission range especially those in the main lobe.

The number of measurement locations and the range of RF exposure levels in the five divisions of Kampala is as shown in table 1.

From table 1, the highest percentage contribution from all the measured sources in Kampala district was in the Central division. It should be noted that the measurements were carried out without necessarily taking into consideration of the vicinity of the mast. Hence the 8.71% could have been due to the proximity of the mast with respect to the measurement location. Therefore, at distances far away for this particular mast, the radiation strength is expected to decrease and besides the value was less than the maximum safety limit.

Conclusion

The measurements from the RF assessments conducted indicated that the RF radiation levels were below the maximum recommended safety guidelines at all the surveyed locations. However, continuous radiofrequency assessment measurements should be done regularly in the different divisions in Kampala district as the number of telecommunication masts continue to increase in a bid to boost the communication systems in the region.

Recommendations for Safety

• • Installers of the masts should ensure that transmitters are at a height above all residential buildings within the main beam direction.
  • To avoid non radiation hazards, a safe distance between the installment and the nearest occupancy should be observed.

Radiofrequency radiation is important in providing telecommunications services. It provides the backbone for signals which are used by radio broadcast transmitters, television, cellular communications, radar and short range wireless local area networks, microwave point-to-point links and satellite communications among others.

Environmental levels of RF radiation emitted by telecommunication installations and typically encountered by the general public may be safe for public exposure. However, there may be situations, particularly workplace environments near high-powered RF sources, where recommended limits for safe exposure of human beings to RF energy could be exceeded. In such cases, remedial actions may be necessary for the protection and safety of individuals, society and the environment.

Therefore, it is important that exposure levels are periodically assessed so that they do not exceed safety limits. In this regard, The Atomic Energy Council under Section 2(3) of the Act and the Atomic Energy (Application of provisions of the Atomic Energy, 2008 to sources of Electromagnetic Radiation) Order, 2023 conducts nationwide assessments to determine the radiofrequency exposure levels from telecommunication systems. In this publication, assessments made in Kampala district at one hundred and seventeen (117) locations are reported on.

Findings

The measurements of the typical exposure levels were carried out randomly at 117 locations within the five divisions of Kampala districts. The choice of location for measurement depended on the occupancy. Locations with high occupancy such as markets, shopping centers and residential were prioritized. The exposure levels were contributions from the different sources of exposure from below FM to 3GHz frequency ranges. Figure 2 below show the distribution of the RF exposure levels in the Kampala district.

Figure 2 indicates that the RF exposure levels at 105 out of the 117 measurement locations were below 0.3% which is considered insignificant compared to the safety limit of 100% as per the ICNIRP guidelines, 2020. However, at one measurement location (inside an apartment) the exposure level was 8.7%. This was attributed to the fact that the height of the transmitters on the mast and the measurement location were almost the same from the ground. Hence the transmitters need to be at a height higher than any occupied premises within the transmission range especially those in the main lobe.

The number of measurement locations and the range of RF exposure levels in the five divisions of Kampala is as shown in table 1.

From table 1, the highest percentage contribution from all the measured sources in Kampala district was in the Central division. It should be noted that the measurements were carried out without necessarily taking into consideration of the vicinity of the mast. Hence the 8.71% could have been due to the proximity of the mast with respect to the measurement location. Therefore, at distances far away for this particular mast, the radiation strength is expected to decrease and besides the value was less than the maximum safety limit.

Conclusion

The measurements from the RF assessments conducted indicated that the RF radiation levels were below the maximum recommended safety guidelines at all the surveyed locations. However, continuous radiofrequency assessment measurements should be done regularly in the different divisions in Kampala district as the number of telecommunication masts continue to increase in a bid to boost the communication systems in the region.

Recommendations for Safety

• • Installers of the masts should ensure that transmitters are at a height above all residential buildings within the main beam direction.
  • To avoid non radiation hazards, a safe distance between the installment and the nearest occupancy should be observed.