Professional exposure to Electromagnetic Waves of base station.
Abstract
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Because of the exponential increase in mobile phone use, concerns in base station development have been raised in general population. Although no notorious effect is proven, the research of the medical effects of radiofrequency fields requires continuing studies. Our study assesses occupational exposure in base station sites.
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Partners
Faculty of medicine – Lyon 1
UMRESTTE, UMR 9405 INRETS-LYON 1 – InVS
http://oscar.univ-lyon1.fr/appli-externe/recherche/umrestte/
Services inter-entreprises
France Telecom Orange labs RESA SAFE WAVE
Contact
Amélie Massardier-Pilonchéry UMRESTTE
Duration
21 months
Summary
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1) Introduction
Because of new communication technologies, the number of mobile base stations is increasing. On these sites, where antennas rub lots of other radio frequency emission, regular maintenance and various interventions are necessary.
In epidemiological purpose and professional risk’s assessment, exposure estimate is a key point in advanced scientific knowledge.
Key words: Professional exposure, personal dosimetry, radiofrequencies, base station antennas.
2) State of the art
Epidemiological studies on the potential health effects of the RF emissions of base stations showed no increasing hazard. Nowadays, the risk is assessed as very weak but cannot be considered so far as inexistent.
In order to carry out studies, to optimize the comparison of exposed and non-exposed group, populations’ exposure evaluation and quantification is necessary.
Distance to base station is not an adequate surrogate to assess exposure. Static measurements on site do not hold account of the work’s reality. Individual dosimetry with job observational study seems to be the best approach.
The more objective estimation on a board population will allow quantification of the risk involved, the exposure classification and the establishment of an appropriate follow-up.
3) Scientific methodology
After a valued exposure assessment method and a first ranking with exposed interventions, dosimetric evaluations measures will be organized among employees (working directly for operators or subcontractors), working on radio frequency transmitter sites. Measures will be coupled with operating budget of a space / time and a survey for collecting different data (organization sites, antennas present…) in order to define job-exposure matrix.
4) Partnership, skills
Several complementary partners will take part in this project. The epidemiological service with statistical competences and technical experience on radiofrequency will allow analysis and interpretation of the results, and will supervise the study. Occupational doctors follow these workers and will be on front line of risk assessment.