INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Telecommunication masts or towers are tall structures designed to support antennas or aerials responsible for the transmission of telecommunication signal. These masts make use of electromagnetic radiation (a form of energy which have both electric and magnetic component and is propagated through space) in transmission of this signal(1)
.Every day there are more cellular telecommunication antennas being erected close to or even upon schools, daycares, retirement homes and residential buildings that are affecting the health and wellbeing of everyone(2)
. The erection of these antennas has created lots of problem between families and friends, tenants and landlords due to the huge amount of money accrued to leasing or selling of land to telecommunication companies for the purpose of installation of telecommunication mast at the detriment of their health and the needed luxury of space for proper ventilation due to them. It has been mentioned that we are now virtually living within a microwave oven!!!(1)
Although the effects of the radiation that cell phone towers emit are harmful and above all it has not been proved safe by the telecommunication companies, there are more and more towers being approved by the municipal governments(3)
. Scientifically, evidence shows that the electromagnetic radiation caused by cellular telecommunications, has now become the worst man-made hazard for all life and the environment(1)
. Moreover, the negative effects of this radiation have being shown by scientists. Studies like the one conducted by Dr. George Carlo and published in his book “Cell phones invisible hazards in the wireless age”, demonstrated the unwillingness of the cell phone companies to admit in public the results and to be responsible for the impacts this technology has in the human body.The biggest immediate concern is that the cellular telecommunications companies are targeting the younger generation, the teenagers and children of tomorrow who are more sensitive towards radiation because their skulls do not block as much radiation and are affected by these rays much more than adults(1)
.These particular groups of people have:Thinner skulls which donot block as much radiation as an adult’s skull does, a more sensitive nervous system, not such a strong immune system, an increased rate of cell division, which is the reason why cell damages spread faster.Living closer to a cell phone antenna, can cause in children more than in any other group of people; cancer, loss of memory, attention and concentration disorders, sleep disorders, mental disorders and hyperactivity among others(2)
.In Valladolid, Spain, a cellular telecommunications antenna had to be removed after 11 children have been diagnosed with cancer within a short period of time(2)
. In New Zealand, cell phone towers are prohibited close to schools due to possible health hazards such learning disabilities and brain tumors(2)
. Furthermore, studies by Prof. Roger Santini, France and Prof. A. Enrique Navarro, Spain and others, proved the symptoms of illness found within a radius of between 300-400 meters from mobile telephone transmitters as the so-called microwave syndrome. This includes sleep disturbances, headaches, exhaustion, headaches, impaired concentration, tinnitus, heat sensations on the ears and many other effects.Prof Kundi from the Environmental Hygiene Institute in University of Vienna has proven that a higher incidence of circulatory illnesses, hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes occurs in the proximity of mobile phone base stations.This study proposes to research the awareness of the public on the health effect of radiation emitted from telecommunication mast. Since the major effect of this radiation emitted from telecommunication mast is stochastic on living cell, more attention will be paid on mast located in residential and school premises where children and youth are predominant.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
(3)
. Most people are unaware of this and continue to suffer ill health which they have no explanation for. They probably might not know that sometimes ill health is related to accumulated exposure to low dose of radiation from telecommunication mast.1.3 GENERAL PURPOSE OF STUDY
The main aim of this work is determine the level of awareness of the public on the health effect of radiation emitted from telecommunication mast.
1.4 SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF STUDY
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY
1.8 HYPOTHESIS
Ho
: There is no significant difference between the mean population of people who are aware that living close to a telecommunication mast is harmful to health and the mean population of people who are unaware that living close to a telecommunication mast is harmful to health.Ha
:There is significant difference between the mean population of people who are aware that living close to a telecommunication mast is harmful to health and the mean population of people who are unaware that living close to a telecommunication mast is harmful to health.
1.9 DEFINATI0N OF TERMS
Radiation:-This is a process where energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium.
Health effect:- Refers to the changes in health resulting from exposure to a source.
Telecommunication Mast:- this is a tall structure designed to support antennas(also known as aerials), which are used for receiving and transmitting of telecommunication signals in the form of electromagnetic wave.