Cellular Antennas
Cellular Antennas
Are there recommendations regarding living near a cellular base station?
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Cellular base stations installed in residential areas are controlled by permits for installation and operation, issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. These permits are issued in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health regarding exposure to radiation from cellular antennas. The recommendations in Israel are more stringent than the international recommendations, and stipulate that the exposure to radiation from base stations, in areas where the public may be chronically exposed, must not exceed 1/10th of the recommended level determined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). In areas where the public may spend a shorter amount of time the exposure permitted is 30% of the ICNIRP recommendations.
Surveys to assess the energy level in proximity to locations of cellular base stations in typical urban areas showed that at a distance of 50 m from the cellular base station, radiation usually drops to a few microwatts per cm2. Adverse health effects of exposure to such low levels have not been established to date. |
Cellular base station in residential area |
In any case, one can verify that exposure to non-ionizing radiation does not exceed the values set in the table in the Ministry of Environmental Protection's document (Hebrew), which summarizes the maximal exposure levels allowed for radiofrequency radiation.
22.10.2015
How can one measure radiation from a cellular Antenna independently?
Anyone wishing to perform private measurements of radiation may do so, by summoning a professional radiation surveyor. The Ministry of Environmental Protection publishes a list of persons authorized to perform radiation measurements, as well as a list of suppliers of measuring instruments.
Dosimeter - radiation measurement instrument
22.10.2015
What is the minimal distance allowed between a cellular base station antenna and a residential area?
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The minimal distance between a cellular base station antenna and a residential area depends on various factors, and is determined according to intensity of emission, direction, height of the base station antenna, and other technical considerations. Safety ranges change according to communications coverage in an area, which depends on the density of users in the given area. This distance is authorized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in accordance with the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law.
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A cellular base station antenna |
For each station there is a minimal distance stipulated in the permit, at the front of the antenna in the direction of emission (horizontal minimal distance), as well as a vertical distance. This means that the public is prohibited from entering the area within a distance shorter than the minimum allowed by the permit.
22.10.2015
Where can one obtain information on cellular base stations?
The Ministry of Environmental Protection is responsible for issuing permits for the installation and operation of sources of radiation, including cellular base stations (by virtue of the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law (Hebrew). The Ministry updates the list of active antennas within cellular base stations monthly, and constantly monitors the emission densities of each antenna.
On the Ministry's website one can find an interactive map (Hebrew), from which one can obtain information on the date of installation, date of operation, and date of last measurement for each station (the address of the base station must be entered within the form).
In addition, the construction of a station requires obtaining a permit from the Committee for Planning and Construction of the Local Municipality (excluding cases where a building permit is not required). Building permits may be verified at the local authority within whose jurisdiction the station is located.
