Comparative SAR Analysis of Some Indian Fruits as per the Revised RF Exposure Guideline

ABSTRACT

Specific absorption rate (SAR) is used as the measure of rate at which radio frequency (RF) energy is absorbed by an object when exposed to an electromagnetic field. The word “SAR” is usually associated with the human exposure to RF/microwave energy from different electromagnetic sources and, therefore, SAR limits have been defined only for human by the government of India. ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) RF exposure guideline was maintained in India up to 31 August 2012, and thereafter Indian government has reduced the maximum permissible RF exposure levels to one-tenth of ICNIRP guideline with effect from 1 September 2012. On the other side, the whole plant kingdom gets exposed to continuous RF electromagnetic field (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) from cell phone towers that transmit high RF/microwave power for radio coverage. High permittivity and loss parameters are observed in most plants, fruits and vegetables due to high water content and ionic concentration. Therefore, it is strongly expected that the plants, fruits and vegetables are also absorbing a huge amount of RF/microwave energy which might have some effects on their growth. Hence, the prime objective of this research is to find out the RF power absorption level in terms of SAR evaluation of some native fruits as per the revised Indian RF exposure guideline, particularly in GSM 900 and GSM 1800 MHz bands along with Wi-Fi 2400 MHz band at public exposure zone.

Keywords:

• Apple
• Grape
• GSM bands
• Guava
• India
• Radio frequency
• Revised Indian RF exposure guideline
• Specific absorption rate (SAR)
• Wi-Fi band
• Wireless towers

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ardhendu Kundu

Ardhendu Kundu received his BTech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MCKV Institute of Engineering (WBUT), Kolkata, India, in 2011 and ME & Tel.E degree in Microwave Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in 2013. His master's thesis work was on SAR evaluation of different fruits due to RF radiation from GSM mobile communication towers. Currently, he is doing his research work on the effects of RF radiation on plant kingdom at ETCE Department of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Bhaskar Gupta

Bhaskar Gupta obtained his BE & Tel.E degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in 1982, and ME & Tel.E degree in Microwave Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in 1984. He also obtained his PhD degree from Jadavpur University in 1996. His doctoral thesis work was on propagation characteristics of suspended slot line. Currently, he is professor and former head in the ETCE Department of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. He has published more than 250 research papers in International and National Journals and Conferences.

E-mail: [email protected]