Evaluating the Effects of Radiation from Cell Towers and High Tension Power Lines on Inhabitants of Buildings in Ota, Ogun State

Abstract: Our Telecommunications industry in Nigeria has been revolutionized by the advent of mobile phone technology. This technology comes with the siting and erection of cell towers in urban centers around the country which is beginning to generate public concern as to whether the utilization of such technology is safe to human health. A case study of the effect of a cell tower with respect to buildings in Ota was done; the power densities of electromagnetic radiation on buildings around the cell tower were calculated. The calculated values were then compared with radiation norms adopted in Nigeria and other countries after which inferences were drawn. Also, the magnetic fields on buildings around the high tension transmission lines were obtained through the inverse square law and by direct measurement using a gauss meter. The results were found to exceed the safe radiation level of 0.4µT using the European standard. Possible solution to ameliorate these ill effects was proffered.