title: Exclusion zones close to wireless communication transmitters aiming to reduce human health risks.
abstract: The electromagnetic fields (EMFs) radiated from typical cellular phone transmitter stations are calculated and compared to available guidelines considering thermal and non thermal biological effects. Exclusion zones close to the transmitter station are then estimated. These are three-dimensional figures calculated in comparison to a chosen EMF reference human exposure guideline limit. The volume inside them represents the regions in which the estimated electromagnetic field level is above the limit. Outside the exclusion zone the estimated electromagnetic field is below the limits. This procedure can be very useful in many applications, e.g., when a transmitter station is expected to be placed close to schools, hospitals, or close to areas where people live or work and where they spend much time each day. Owing to the uncertainty in science regarding the minimum non ionizing radiation level below which no adverse health effects can occur, the Precautionary Approach is suggested and it is recommended that EMF human exposure be kept to a minimum.
authors.affiliation: Electrical Engineering Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul-UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil. aasalles@ufrgs.br
authors.forename: Alvaro A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Salles
authors.forename: Claudio R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011840:Radiation, Nonionizing; D011846:Radio Waves; D018570:Risk Assessment