Evaluating Exposure to Short and Long Term Electromagnetic Fields in a Hospital

Abstract

In this study, short and long term electromagnetic field measurements were conducted in a hospital in Samsun city center; whether there is a risk or not for patients and employees were investigated. E measurements were taken in three stages; in the first stage, electric field strength (E) was recorded by walking speed on all floors inside the hospital. In the second stage, E measurements were taken for 24 hours in a fixed position in order to observe the change of E in the hospital during the day. In the final stage, the band selective E measurements were taken and the sources of total E were determined within the hospital. The mean E value of all measured E within the hospital is 1.70 V/m and is below the limit values set by ICTA and IEC. The E value in the environment can vary significantly during the day, and the E value measured in daytime is 44% higher compared to night-time. It is concluded that up to 98% of the measured E in the hospital environment is caused by the base stations around it.