IMPACTS OF CELL SITES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Pressing issues as sustainable development, especially dealing with telecommunications and the environment we live in, is an important topic for discussion. This research note may be viewed on request. 

Abstract
Development is no doubt facilitated by some industrial activities. The ecosystem has always been challenged by these, and activities such as wireless telecommunication and technology are now common place around the world. Much of this technology relies on radio frequencies and the concern is that exposure to such electromagnetic fields may have significant impacts on the environment.

Fixed antennas or base stations form a core spot on the wireless technology platform. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) are increasingly installed in homes, offices and public places to allow for high speed internet access and services.

Alteration to the balance of the ecosystem when locating and constructing cell sites is worth reviewing. Epidemiological concerns such as increase in brain cancer, leukemia and other cancers, cardiac, neurological and reproductive health effects are also worth enumerating. There is a question of waste management as a result of abandoned or old telecommunication equipment as new technology produces new devices and an issue of air pollution from the exhaust of the energy generation facilities especially in developing
countries.This paper reviews such concerns along with positions of several governing councils and agencies like WHO, FCC, ICNIRP etc. Click here to view file Abstract.pdf