Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure inside the metro tube infrastructure in Warszawa

Abstract

Antennas from various wireless communications systems [e.g. mobile phones base transceiver stations (BTS) and handsets used by passengers, public Internet access, staff radiophone transmitters used between engine-drivers and traffic operators] emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) are used inside underground metro public transportation. Frequency-selective exposimetric investigations of RF-EMR exposure inside the metro infrastructure in Warsaw (inside metro cars passing between stations and on platforms) were performed. The statistical parameters of exposure to the E-field were analyzed for each frequency range and for a total value (representing the wide-band result of measurements of complex exposure). The recorded exposimetric profiles showed the dominant RF-EMR sources: handsets and BTS of mobile communication systems (GSM 900 and UMTS 2100) and local wireless Internet access (WiFi 2G). Investigations showed that the GSM 900 system is the dominant source of exposure – BTS (incessantly active) on platforms, and handsets – used by passengers present nearby during the tube drive. The recorded E-field varies between sources (for BTS were: medians – 0.22 V/m and 75th percentile – 0.37 V/m; and for handsets: medians – 0.28 V/m and 75th percentile – 0.47 V/m). Maximum levels (peaks) of exposure recorded from mobile handsets exceeded 10 V/m (upper limit of used exposimeters). Broadband measurements of E-field, including the dominant signal emitted by staff radiophones (151 MHz), showed that the level of this exposure of engine-drivers does not exceed 2.5 V/m.

• Electromagnetic field
• electric field
• measurements
• exposure pattern
• exposimeters

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr Wiesław Leszko for his support in collecting exposimetric RF-EMF data in metro infrastructure.

Declaration of interest

The authors do not declare any conflict of interest. This article has been based on the results of a research task carried out within the scope of the third stage of the National Programme “Improvement of safety and working conditions” partly supported in 2014–2016 – within the scope of state services – by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in Poland. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.