Abstract
This study assessed the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure
levels proximal to primary school structures in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. A
calibrated Acoustimeter was used to measure the RF EMF levels at defined distance points of 50
and 100m away from the three mobile base stations, that provide a 4G network coverage. All the
measurements were obtained from three mobile stations, each from one district municipality,
using 30 minutes intervals for repeated measurements. The measured peak exposure level at 50m
was 887 μW/m² and 905 μW/m² at 100m. No statistical difference was found when comparing
the measurement data obtained at 50 and 100m from the three district municipalities. However,
comparison of measurements obtained at 50 and 100m for all base stations were statistically
significant, p-value< .002 and p< .003 respectively. The measured RF EMF exposure levels at
both distance points were below the reference levels found under International Commission for
Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) RF guidelines. It is therefore essential for mobile
base station companies to consider proximity of residential structures when installing new base
stations in the future, and regularly maintain the components of mobile base towers, especially
in the current state of power load shedding in South Africa.