Electromagnetic Frequency Pollution in Malawi: A Case of Electric Field and Magnetic Flux Density Pollution in Southern Africa

Fabiano Gibson Daud Thulu (), David Tembo, Rowland Nyirongo, Patrick Joseph Cardinal Mzaza, Allan Kamfosi and Upile Chitete Mawenda
Additional contact information
Fabiano Gibson Daud Thulu: Physics and Biochemical Sciences Department, Malawi University of Business and Applied Science, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
David Tembo: Physics and Biochemical Sciences Department, Malawi University of Business and Applied Science, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
Rowland Nyirongo: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Science, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
Patrick Joseph Cardinal Mzaza: Department of Physics, University of Malawi, Zomba 305218, Malawi
Allan Kamfosi: Kamuzu Central Hospital, PAM Department, Lilongwe 207232, Malawi
Upile Chitete Mawenda: Physics and Biochemical Sciences Department, Malawi University of Business and Applied Science, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: In this study, electric field and magnetic flux density pollution levels were measured in southern Africa, a case of Blantyre City in Malawi, between 2020 and 2021. Sixty short-term measurements were performed using Trifield Electro Magnetic Frequency meter model TF2 in 30 different locations. Five high-population-dense sampling points were selected from school campuses, hospitals, industrial areas, markets, residential areas, and within the commercial and business center (CBC) of Blantyre. Electric field and magnetic flux density pollution monitoring was conducted between 10:00–12:00 h and 17:00–19:00 h for short-range analysis. Short-range results show that the maximum measured electric field pollution were 249.24 mV/m and 207.85 mV/m between 10:00–12:00 and 17:00–19:00 respectively, which are below the public limits of 4200.00 mV/m for public exposure. Similarly, maximum short-range results for magnetic flux density were 0.073 G and 0.057 G between 10:00–12:00 and 17:00–19:00 respectively which are below the public limits of 2 G for public exposure. Both measured electric and magnetic flux density were compared with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), World health organization (WHO), and Institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE). It was determined that all measured values for both electric and magnetic flux density were smaller than set limits for non-ionizing radiation for both public and occupation health. More importantly, these background measurements establish a baseline for future changes to be compared against public safety.

Keywords: electric field strength; electromagnetic measurements; electromagnetic pollution; magnetic flux density; environment; health effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4413/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4413/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4413-:d:1084786

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().