Electromagnetic Wave Effect on Human Health: Challenges for Developing Countries

Abstract

Several studies abound on electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and its adverse impact on human health with majority of the conclusions resulting from these studies being positive. To this end, a number of sources have been identified to emit levels of EMF radiation such as power transmission lines, base transmitter stations (BTS), mobile phones and many household appliances, some of which have been classified as extremely low frequency (ELF) non-ionizing radiating devices. The global system of mobile telecommunications (GSM) revolution supports to a large extent the proliferation of mobile phones and random BTS siting in developing countries of which EMF emissions can assume very dangerous dimensions for human health. This study is undertaken to investigate the dilemma posed by wireless telecommunication devices that emit EMF radiations e.g. mobile phones and its transceivers, as against their relevance. Correlations were arrived at concerning their indirect effects on human health, from which possible safety measures were proposed and relevant suggestions made.