Electromagnetic Fields from Mobile Telelephony Base Stations – 2008 in the Potosi City –Bolivia and Their Health Efeccts

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the electromagnetic fields from mobile telephony networks in the city of Potosí in Bolivia, and its possible effects in human health. The risk assessment considers two phases: the assessment of biological and health effects which is based on very important international and national revisions, specially those who has been conducted within the frame of the International Electromagnetic Field Project of the World Health Organization and the evaluation of the exposure which stands on the results of the evaluation of the main base stations from mobile communications carried out in 2008. It was found that the established health effects are linked to the thermal effect due to non-ionizing radiations which produced a body temperature increment higher than  1 ºC. The exposure evaluation shows that the highest average exposure levels in Potosi are lower than 0.14 % of the general public ICNIRP limits and less than 0.11 % of Bolivian general public limits. It was also found that the maximum temporal average level was between 17:30 and 19:30 and it is in accordance with the values previously indicated. In conclusion the evaluation of electromagnetic fields from mobile telephony networks in Potosi are in compliance with the Bolivian standard and with ICNIRP international guidelines