A STUDY ON RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION DUE TO ACCESS POINTS AT RESIDENCES OF KUWAIT

The technological advance in electronic communication devices and systems has resulted in an increase in high frequency radiation sources. This is accompanied by a worldwide concern regarding its health effects. Many studies have linked high frequency radiation to various types of illnesses, while low frequency fields from power lines have been linked to leukemia. One growing source of radiation is the wireless LAN at private and public locations. The technology has become very common in the majority of residences resulting in an accumulation of several networks in each residence. This increases the amount of radiation and the possibly of increased hazard. In this study we aim at investigating electromagnetic radiation due to WLAN sources, mainly access points (AP), that utilize the wifi bandwidth of 2.4 to 2.5GHz, at various residences in Kuwait. Levels are recorded in absolute value and in percentage of the ICNIRP international limit. Results yield a comparative view of the condition at different types of residences in Kuwait. We found that APs exist at 86% of the surveyed residences. Neighboring APs exists at most of the surveyed locations with apartments showing much higher number of neighboring APs than other residences. Apartments yield the highest radiation level reaching -48.21dBA/m or 6.59mW/m2, which is 0.068% of the ICNIRP limit.