Abstract

This study is aimed at accessing and quantifying the dosimetry quantities of radiofrequency radiation of mobile phones used in Delta State, Nigeria. In-situ measurement of electric (E)-field, magnetic (H)-field strengths and power density of 98 mobile phones of different brands and models from different individuals in different towns of Delta State was done in an isolated unit using electrosmog meter model no. 070117199 from LESSEMF, USA. The values obtained were compared with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommended safety limits for general public exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. The E-field strengths together with available data on dielectric properties and density of various tissues of the head layers were used to evaluate the specific absorption rate (SAR) to six tissue layers of the head. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with conductivity higher than the rest tissues has SAR values higher than the other tissues layer. Apparently, it is observed that the SAR values increase with tissues conductivity and drop with the increment in tissues density. The localized average SAR to the human head due to the contribution of the various tissues for all the phones investigated ranges from 0.001-6.972 W/kg which shows that some phones have localized SAR that are above ICNIRP 2.0 W/kg recommended safe limit which implicate higher penetration of electromagnetic radiation towards the head, thus, more absorption of radiation power by the head tissues which can lead to localized tissue heating.