Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life

Abstract

Along with development of electronics and software technology, amount of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which expose to people, has significantly risen. For people who uses or do not use technology, it is of great importance that they should have enough information about EM radiation exposing them. So, not only EM radiation is described, but also effects of EM radiation sources are researched in this study. EM radiation is mainly divided into two parts as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Technologies which we mostly use in daily life and whose radiation we are exposed to are chiefly telecommunication systems. EM radiation emitted by these systems is non-ionizing type due to their low energy levels. However, exposure of ionizing EM radiation is almost not present and its exposure is personally arisen at only special situations. As examples for this type of EM radiation, medical radiography and security screening systems using x-ray may be said. In this context, each person needs to be informed about these topics and cautious for human health. In respect of health of next generation, definition, types and sources of EM radiation have great importance to be learnt.

Full text

SETSCI Conference Indexing System,
Volume
3
(2018), 505-509
Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life
Umut Özkaya1*, Levent Seyfi 2+ and Ercan Yaldız 3
1Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering/Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey
2Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering/Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey
3Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering/Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey
*Corresponding author: uozkaya@selcuk.edu.tr
+Speaker: uozkaya@selcuk.edu.tr
Presentation/Paper Type: Oral / Full paper
Abstract – Along with development of electronics and software technology, amount of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which
expose to people, has significantly risen. For people who uses or do not use technology, it is of great importance that they should
have enough information about EM radiation exposing them. So, not only EM radiation is described, but also effects of EM
radiation sources are researched in this study. EM radiation is mainly divided into two parts as ionizing and non-ionizing
radiation. Technologies which we mostly use in daily life and whose radiation we are exposed to are chiefly telecommunication
systems. EM radiation emitted by these systems is non-ionizing type due to their low energy levels. However, exposure of
ionizing EM radiation is almost not present and its exposure is personally arisen at only special situations. As examples for this
type of EM radiation, medical radiography and security screening systems using x-ray may be said. In this context, each person
needs to be informed about these topics and cautious for human health. In respect of health of next generation, definition, types
and sources of EM radiation have great importance to be learnt.
Keywords – Ionizing Radiation, Nonionizing Radiation, Electromagnetic Radiation Sources, Electromagnetic Field,
Electromagnetic Spectrum
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, uses and necessity of electrical energy are
increasing due to industrialization and development of
technology. All electrical equipment’s emit the
electromagnetic field in various frequency bands. Television,
electric razors (shaver), electric blankets, computer monitors,
photocopier machines, microwave ovens, wireless phones,
cellular phones, and food processor and many more examples
may be given as sources of electromagnetic fields in daily life
[1]. Many people use WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
technology, Bluetooth, MMS (Multimedia Message Service),
SMS (Short Message Service), Video Call (Video Interview).
The use of GSM has reached the highest level. Many electrical
devices, which make life easier and are used for our daily
needs, increase the electromagnetic field radiation where we
are in [2]. Thus, many researches focused on measurements of
the electromagnetic radiation levels [3-8].
II. MATERIALS AND METHOD
A. Electromagnetic Field
Electromagnetic fields occur when electric and magnetic
fields which are varying with respect to time come together.
As the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases and the
energy emitted in the field increases.
Electric and magnetic fields which are static are
naturally occur in nature. The natural magnetic field is located
in the north-south direction around the earth's sphere and
consists of undulating waves that help birds and fish to
navigate. The natural electric field is occurred by lightning in
local part of the atmosphere. Electromagnetic fields, which are
emitted from man-made sources as well as natural electric and
magnetic fields, have covered the whole environment in daily
life [8].
B. Electromagnetic Radiation
EM radiation is mainly divided into two parts as ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing Radiation is EM wave with
high frequency (higher than 1014 Hz) which have capability to
ionize atomic bonds in cell molecules. For example, X-ray and
gamma rays and some sources of ultraviolet (UV) rays are
assessed in this class. Excessive exposure to this effect can
lead to hazardous conditions such as damage to living cells and
also DNA chain [9].
Non-ionizing EM radiation have not enough energy to
separate atomic bonds. These are visible light, infrared, RF
(Radio Frequency), microwave, static and magnetic waves. In
other words, they are distributed in range from 1 Hz to 1014
Hz. However, these waves cause thermal effects on human
body depending on distance, frequency power and time. It is
claimed that carcinogenic effect has not been proven yet.
Two types of effect, which can be classified thermal and
non-thermal, occurs in organism impacted by these waves. EM
energy absorbed by the body is converted to heat which causes
to increase human temperature gradually. Charged particles in
body are moved by using force in electric fields. Body gets
hotter because of resistance to these movements. Temperature
in body continues to increase until balance of body is provided
by blood circulation and perspiration. On the other hand, non-
thermal effects have been investigated. It is supposed that they
have chemical and psychological risks. Although transmitters
used for Radio-TV and communication in range of RF
spectrum provides benefits for community, each of them is
source of continous exposure involuntarily. In our country,
505

Ozkaya et al., Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life, ISAS 2018-Winter, Samsun, Turkey
these sources were firstly established in Istanbul in 1927, in
Ankara in 1928 and then in Izmir in 1950. They were gradually
seemed in other cities after 1960s. By growing up usage of
mobile phone, number of base stations has been increased in
city centers and streets. For this reason, public attention has
been started to focus on them [10].
C. Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is a sequence containing all
known electromagnetic waves from gamma rays to radio
waves. It is shown in Fig. 1, the electromagnetic waves vary
with wave length or frequency in the spectrum. The highest
frequency waves have the greatest energy.
.
Fig. 1 The chart of EM Spectrum
General definitions for contents of the spectrum are given
below;
Gamma rays: They have smaller wavelengths than 0.01
nanometers and contain waves with wavelengths less than the
diameter of an atomic nucleus. They are located in the highest
energy and have frequency region in electromagnetic
spectrum.
X-rays: They are rays with a wavelength between 0.01 and
10 nanometers (up to the size of an atom).
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: They have wavelengths between
10 and 310 nanometers (about the size of a virus). Short
wavelength ultraviolet rays can be harmful.
Visible light: It has wavelengths between 400 and 700
nanometers (one molecule to one cell size). This small part of
the electromagnetic spectrum, which is defined as light, can be
seen through the human eye. This section has colors that start
with purple and finish with red.
Infrared (IR) radiation: Its wavelengths range from 710
nanometers to 1 millimeter (with a needle and a small seed as
long as it is tall).
Microwave radiation: Its wavelengths vary between 1 mm
and 1 meter. It is a radio wave with very short wavelengths
used on radars. It is also used in microwave ovens and for long
distance communications that do not require a cable.
Radio waves: They are long waves of 1 millimeter. Because
they have the longest wavelength, they also have the lowest
energy. The sources of these waves are electrical oscillations
[11]. All objects radiate within the frequency spectrum. For
example; about 60% of body heat is excreted by infrared
radiation. The so-called thermal camera is nothing more than
a receiver sensitive to infrared frequencies. Above the visible
light frequency is the ionizing radiation region, with
ultraviolet, x and gamma rays in this region [9].
D. Electromagnetic Field Resources
Some EM resources that appear in daily life are as follows;
 Terrestrial TV and radio broadcasts: AM, FM, TV
 Communication broadcasts: Telecom, satellite, GPS,
radar
 Electricity distribution: Electricity transmission lines,
electric trains
 High voltage lines
 High frequency industrial, medical and research
equipment: X-Ray, heaters
Electrically operated devices create electromagnetic fields in
their surroundings. Microwave ovens, washing machines,
vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, water heaters and all electrical
household appliances create electromagnetic fields [11].
FM radio transmitters in the frequency range 88-108 MHz,
VHF TV transmitters in the frequency range 174 - 230 MHz
and UHF TV transmitters in the frequency range 470-860 MHz
It is important because they are usually inhabited by
settlements in major cities, inevitably in residential areas, and
has output power starting at 100 W and reaching 50 kW [12].
The GSM cellular communication system, which has been
increasing in number in recent years, is broadcasting at 900
MHz and 1800 MHz It is operated with a large number of GSM
Base Stations in order to provide the desired usage efficiency
in terms of coverage and traffic load expectancy, which causes
an intense EM field especially in the settlement areas. Due to
increasing subscriber demand and diversifying services, the
number of units and systems that emit RF in cellular systems
increases day by day in and around the residential areas,
resulting in the formation of EM field sources and intensity in
the environment. The power dissipated from these devices
through environment may reach 400 W. As the number of
users increases, it is inevitable that the number of base stations
will increase.
Base stations are typically placed in towers 10-30 m
high. In general, each tower has three antennas covering a
horizontal angle of 120°.
As mobile phones are also an important EM radiation
source, the situation is more serious. Because we locate it very
near our head, it needs more attention when using [12].
The GSM cellular system has three types of communication
equipment depending on coverage area such as macro, micro
and pico level.
 For the GSM900 system, which is also used in
Turkey, macro cells can serve an area of 25-35 km
radius. The output power of GSM900 base station
antennas in macro cells can be 40-60 W.
 Micro cells are installed in places like airports, big
shopping malls. It covers areas with a radius of a few
hundred meters and the output power is lower than
macro cells (around 5-10 W for GSM900).
 Pico cells are mostly used for in-building
communications and has a few watts for output power
[13].
X-rays are similar to light rays, except that they are more
energetic than light rays and are invisible to the human eye.
Frequency of X-rays ranges from 3×1016 Hz to 3×1019 Hz.
X-rays are used for security and in computerized
tomography, rontgen for medical diagnosing. X-ray devices,
which are used for security, are devices that provide
information about the content by passing objects through a
fixed X-ray source. X-Ray devices have an X-ray source and
506

Ozkaya et al., Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life, ISAS 2018-Winter, Samsun, Turkey
a detector group that detects the beam in front of this source.
The objects are placed on the way of these rays and the rays
passing through the objects are detected by the detectors.
Rontgen is the oldest of the radiological diagnostic methods.
The main feature that allows X-rays to be used in diagnostic
radiography is the ability to penetrate the tissue. Computerized
tomography is the most advanced of X-ray devices. With this
device, physicians have the ability to take a cross-sectional
view of a certain area of the body as it is in the MR device [14].
As long as many electrically operated devices or systems are
used, the dissipation radiates EM energy in varying rates.
Some of the systems and devices that radiate EM fields are as
follows:
 Energy Transmission Lines (ETL) and transformer
stations,
 Electric trains,
 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays used in TVs and
computers,
 Induction furnaces and welding machines used in the
industry,
 All kinds of electrical household appliances (iron,
microwave ovens, cordless phones, electric blankets,
refrigerators, etc.) used in our homes,
 Various RF systems operating in industry
 Radar systems (continuous and pulsed)
 Satellite communication systems
 Personnel communication systems (Cordless
telephone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
E. Some Measurement Values
The above-mentioned EM source devices and systems
generate EM pollution as shown in Table 1 and Table 2.
Table 1. Electric field values of EM sources in the environment (Operating
voltage = 110 V, Operating frequency = 60 Hz, Distance = 30 cm) [9]
Device
Maximum Electric Field
(V / m)
Natural electric field during
lightning
20000
380kV transmission Line
6000
110kV transmission line
2000
10kV transmission line
500
Electric blanket
500
Electric iron
200
Electric shaver
100
Hair dryer
50
Electric cable
5
Table 2. Magnetic field values of EM sources in the environment (Operating
voltage = 110 V, Operating frequency = 60 Hz, Distance = 30 cm) [9]
Device
Maximum Magnetic
Field (A / m)
Ovens and hair dryers
2000
Electric shaver
1000
Drill
500
Vacuum cleaner and toaster
100
Earth's natural magnetic
field (static)
30
380 kV transmission line
30
110 kV transmission line
15
10 kV transmission line
10
Electric cable
5
Also, the mean electric field value originated from the
applications whose frequencies are from 100kHz to 3 GHz is
around 0.3 V/m [3,4]. The radiation sources and their
frequency ranges are given in Table 3. They are FM radio, TV,
and cellular phone broadcasts, DECT, 3G (Cellular), and WIFI
respectively.
Table 3. EM field sources and their frequency ranges [5]
EM field Source
Frequency Range
FM
88-108 MHz
VHF4
174-230 MHz
UHF5
470-790 MHz
UHF4
790-862 MHz
GSM900
870-960 MHz
GSM1800
1.77-1.85 GHz
DECT
1.88-1.9 GHz
3G
2-2.2 GHz
WI-FI
2.4-2.4835 GHz
4G
2.6 GHz
F. Limit Values for Electromagnetic Radiation
Limit levels of time-varying electric fields determined for
general public by ICNIRP are given in Table 4.
Table 4. Limit levels for general public exposure to time-varying electric
fields determined by ICNIRP [15]
Frequency range, f
Electric field
strength
(V/ m)
up to 1 Hz
—
1–8 Hz
10,000
8–25 Hz
10,000
0.025–0.8 kHz
250/f
0.8–3 kHz
250/f
3–150 kHz
87
0.15–1 MHz
87
1–10 MHz
87/f 1/2
10–400 MHz
28
400–2,000 MHz
1.375f 1/2
2–300 GHz
61
In Turkey, a regulation protecting health of general public
due to adverse effect of non-ionizing EM radiation, as shown
in Table 5, was organized by the Ministry of Environment and
Urbanization in 2010.
Table 5: Limit values protecting health of general public due to adverse
effect of non-ionizing EM radiation, organized by the Ministry of
Environment and Urbanization in Turkey, in 2010 [16]
Frequency range, f
Electric field strength
E(V/m)
Up to 1 Hz
-
1 Hz-8 Hz
10 000
8 Hz-25 Hz
10 000
0.025 kHz-0.8 kHz
750/f
0.8 kHz-3 kHz
250/f
3 kHz- 150 kHz
87
0.15 MHz- 1 MHz
87
1 MHz- 10 MHz
87/f
0.5
10 MHz-400 MHz
28
400 MHz-2000 MHz
1.375 f
0.5
2 GHz-300 GHz
61
507

Ozkaya et al., Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life, ISAS 2018-Winter, Samsun, Turkey
In 2015, a revision on the limit values at frequencies from
10 kHz to 60 GHz, as shown in Table 6, was carried out by
Information and Communication Technologies Authority of
Turkey. The limit values were decreased compared to the
values given in Table 5.
Table 6. Determination of limit values of EM radiation originated from
electronic communication devices by Information and Communication
Technologies Authority of TURKEY in 2015 [17]
Frequency
range, f (MHz)
Electric field
strength (V/m)
0.01-0.15
65.25
0.15- 1
65.25
1- 10
65.25/f
0.5
10-400
21
400-2000
1.03 f
0.5
2000-60000
45.75
The limit values of the EM sources in 100 kHz-3 GHz
frequency band are calculated based on data as shown in Table
6. In 2018, A new revision on the limit values at frequencies
from 10kHz to 94 GHz, as shown in Table 7, was carried out
by Information and Communication Technologies Authority
of TURKEY.
Table 7. Regulation on the amendment of the regulation on the
determination, control and supervision of the exposure limit values of
electromagnetic field intensity from electronic communication devices by
information and communication technologies authority of turkey in 2018 [18]
Frequency
range, f (MHz)
Electric field
strength (V/m)
0.01-0.15
65.25
0.15- 1
65.25
1- 10
65.25/f
0.5
10-400
21
400-789
1.03 f
0.5
790-2000
0.96 f
0.5
2000-94000
42.93
The limit values determined by the national and international
foundations are calculated and given with respect to the
frequency bands in Table 8. Here, the variation of national
limits from 2010 to 2018 in some frequency bands (which are
boldly written) can be seen.
Table 8. Calculated electric field limit values for the frequency bands from
national and international foundations
EM field
Source
ICNIRP
National
Oldest
Limits
(2010)
National
Updated
Limits
(2015)
National
Latest
Limits
(2018)
(V/m)
FM
28
28
21
21
VHF4
28
28
21
21
UHF5
34
34
25
25
UHF4
39
39
29
27
GSM900
41
41
31
29
GSM1800
58
58
44
41
DECT
60
60
45
42
3G
61
61
45.75
42.93
WI-FI
61
61
45.75
42.93
4G
61
61
45.75
42.93
III. CONCLUSION
The use of EM waves as a result of the development of
technology is increasing day by day. However, the negative
effects on the human health results from the establishment of
many stations are being discussed. In this study, the
electromagnetic field radiations were investigated. From the
gamma rays to the radio waves, the characteristics of the
electromagnetic spectrum is the sequence containing all
known electromagnetic waves, ionizing and non-ionizing
radiation. Electromagnetic field sources were investigated.
REFERENCES
[1] Nihan Merve Sarıkaya, Bir işyerinde elektromanyetik alan ölçümü
yapılması ve sonuçlarının iş sağlığı ve güvenliği açısından
değerlendirilmesi, İş sağlığı ve güvenliği uzmanlık tezi, 2014.
[2] Tolga İnce, Elektromanyetik Kirlilik, Gazi Üniversitesi Yüksek Lisans
Tezi, 2007.
[3] Levent Seyfi, Measurement of electromagnetic radiation with respect
to the hours and days of a week at 100kHz–3GHz frequency band in a
Turkish dwelling, Measurement, Vol.46 (9), pp. 3002-3009, November
2013.
[4] Levent Seyfi, Ercan Yaldız, Can Nacaroğlu, Analyzing mobile phone
electromagnetic radiation, Electronics World, Vol. 122(1962), pp.40-
43. June 2016.
[5] Genç, O., Bayrak, M., and Yaldız, E. (2010). Analysis of the Effects of
GSM Bands to the Electromagnetic Pollution in the RF Spectrum
Progress In Electromagnetics Research, PIER 101, 17-32.
[6] Çetin Kurnaz, Murat Cem Bozkurt Measurement and Evaluation of
Electromagnetic Pollution Levels in Ünye District of Ordu, Journal of
New Results in Science, 5, 12, 11 / 2016
[7] Begüm Korunur Engiz, Çetin Kurnaz Long-Term Electromagnetic
Field Measurement and Assessment for a Shopping Mall, Radiation
Protection Dosimetry, 11 / 2016.
[8] Derya Gürğan, Levent Seyfi, Determination and Analysis of
Electromagnetic Pollution at Two Shopping Malls in Konya at 100
kHz-3 GHz Frequency, International Journal of Environmental Science
and Development (IJESD), Vol. 9, No:9, September 2018, pp. 266-269.
[9] Nihan Merve Sarıkaya, Bir işyerinde elektromanyetik alan ölçümü
yapılması ve sonuçlarının iş sağlığı ve güvenliği açısından
değerlendirilmesi, İş sağlığı ve güvenliği uzmanlık tezi, 2014.
[10] İnan Güler, Tamer Çetin, A. Rıza Özdemir, Nedim Uçar, Türkiye
Elektromanyetik Alan Maruziyet Raporu, Bilgi Teknolojileri ve
İletişim Kurumu, Sektörel Araştırma ve Stratejiler Dairesi Başkanlığı,
2010.
[11] Sema Palamutçu, Nermin Dağ, Fonksiyonel tekstiller I:
Elektromanyetik kalkanlama amaçlı tekstil yüzeyleri, Tekstil
Teknolojileri Elektronik Dergisi, Cilt: 3, No: 1, (87-101), 2009.
[12] Tolga İnce, Elektromanyetik Kirlilik, Gazi Üniversitesi Yüksek Lisans
Tezi, 2007.
[13] Gülbin Dural, Elektromanyetik Dalgalar ve İnsan Sağlığı, ODTÜ Fen
Bilimleri Enstitüsü Müdürü, Elektrik Elektronik Müh. Böl. Öğretim
Üyesi, 2013.
[14] Tuğçe Arslan, X-Işınları ve Kullanım Alanları, Gazi Üniversitesi Tezi,
2010.
[15] Ahlbom, A., Bergqvist, U., Bernhardt, J. H., Ce´sarini, J. P., & Court,
L. A. (1998). Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying
Electric, Magnetic, And Electromagnetic Fields (Up to 300 GHz).
Health Physics Society, 74 (4), 494-522.
[16] Çevre ve Şehircilik Bakanlığından: “İyonlaştırıcı Olmayan
Radyasyonun Olumsuz Etkilerinden Çevre Ve Halkın Sağlığının
Korunmasına Yönelik Alınması Gereken Tedbirlere İlişkin
Yönetmelik”.
http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2010/07/20100724-3.htm
(17.02.2017)
[17] Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumundan: “Elektronik Haberleşme
Cihazlarindan Kaynaklanan Elektromanyetik Alan Şiddetinin
Uluslararasi Standartlara Göre Maruziyet Limit Değerlerinin
Belirlenmesi, Kontrolü Ve Denetimi Hakkinda Yönetmelikte
Değişiklik Yapilmasina Dair Yönetmelik”
http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2015/10/20151009-2.htm
(17.02.2017).
[18] Information Technologies and Communications Authority (ICTA),
“Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the
Determination, Control and Supervision of the Exposure Limit Values
of Electromagnetic Field Intensity from Electronic Communication
508

Ozkaya et al., Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation in Daily Life, ISAS 2018-Winter, Samsun, Turkey
Devices by International Standards,” Official Gazette Issue: 30394, 17
April 2018. http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2018/04/20180417-
2.htm (Accessed in April 2018)
509