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The Hazards of Base Transceiver Stations

A base transceiver station (BTS) is a system that allows communication between network providers and mobile or wireless devices, such as cell phones and laptops that use wireless Internet. A BTS uses radio frequencies to receive and transmit data.

  1. Functions

    • A base transceiver station, which may also be referred to as a telecommunication structure, can be a stand-alone tower or a structure on top of a roof. On top of the tower or structure is an antenna. The station acts as a two-way radio, using low-power transmitters to facilitate communication between mobile devices and broader networks.

    Radiation

    • Base transceiver stations use radio frequency (RF) radiation to transmit and receive data. Radiation emissions are the primary concern for possible health impacts from these stations. In the U.S., several studies have been conducted to measure any possible health effects of radio frequency radiation, primarily paid for by the Department of Defense because of the military's interest in using RF energy for equipment such as radar.

    Health Hazards

    • There is some disagreement among the scientific community about whether base transceiver stations emit enough radiation to cause negative health effects on people. Long-term exposure to radiation at unsafe levels can cause a variety of health impacts, including increased risk of lung and skin cancers, headaches and sleep disorders. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radio frequencies could also cause sterility in men, as the testes are particularly vulnerable to radiation.

    Restrictions

    • With the number of cell phone users constantly on the rise, the need for more base transceiver stations to cover wider ranges of the world is also increasing. This poses a problem about how many stations can safely be located in the same area without imposing negative health impacts on people exposed to the stations' radiation over the long run. Some restrictions have been made in the U.S. over the amount of RF emissions allowed and how many base transceiver stations can operate in a single area, though U.S. regulations are less stringent and more allowing than similar regulations in many European nations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over most radio frequency-emitting base transceiver stations, and therefore must conduct some evaluations of their environmental impacts.

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