International Journal of
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Water Res. Environ. Eng.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-6613
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJWREE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 345

Full Length Research Paper

Atmospheric pollution from the major mobile telecommunication companies in Tanzania

M. Kasebele
  • M. Kasebele
  • Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
  • Google Scholar
W. J. S. Mwegoha
  • W. J. S. Mwegoha
  • School of Environmental Science and Technology, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Google Scholar


  •  Accepted: 27 February 2013
  •  Published: 31 March 2013

Abstract

 

Air pollution from five mobile telephone companies in Tanzania was investigated. Results show maximum noise level of 83 dB and a minimum of 61.4 dB, above a permissible 45 dB. Concentrations of NOx ranged from 0.135 mg/m3(NO) to 0.18 mg/m3(NO2), above a permissible level of 250 mg/m3. The applied Gaussian model estimated the contribution of the BS generators to the atmosphere, to be between 0.0006 μg/m3 and 0.001 μg/m3 at 300 m from the source to 0.35 and 0.014 μg/m3 10 m from the source for both NO and NO2 respectively while the measured values ranged from 0μg/m3 to 10 μg/m3 for both (NO) and (NO2) at 2.5 m from the source. The levels of PM2.5 ranged from 0.04 to 0.25 mg/m3, compared to standard of 0.1 mg/m3. It can be concluded that there are high levels of noise and particulate emissions at varying degrees. At least 15 m should be maintained between the base stations and the closest residence for permissible noise levels.

 

Key words: Atmosphere, base stations, mobile telephone, noise, particulates.