Resident’s Perception of the health impact in living proximity of telecommunication base station: A case study of Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The location of telecommunication towers is of particular public concern due to the dread of potential health peril from the electromagnetic field (EMFs) emitted by these devices. This paper outlines the results of a case study to determine residents’ perceptions towards living near telecommunication towers in Malaysia, and how they evaluate the health impacts of these structures. The results provide initial evidence that telecommunication towers have little influence on residents’ perception on health symptoms and that it would not be a reason for them to move away. Furthermore, the results show that more than half of the respondents feel that it is safe to live near a telecommunication tower but it raises aesthetic concern. The outcome provides a potential source of information for related government agencies in assessing increasing health concern for residents living near telecommunication towers.

KEYWORDS:

• Telecommunication tower
• health impact
• residents’ perception
• Malaysia

Acknowledgments

Much appreciation is extended to the Ministry of Higher Education Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) with the account number 203/PPBGN/6711518, USM members and those involved in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) [203/PPBGN/6711518];