This paper deals with the assessment of induced specific absorption rate (SAR) in various human models under different exposure scenarios, including both laboratory measurements and simulations. Firstly, SAR values were measured in a standardized SAR laboratory using a phantom for two radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) sources at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. These laboratory measurements served as a reference for SAR calculations conducted on a specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) using a computer simulation technology (CST) program, thus enabling the determination of antenna location and excitation signal levels for further evaluation. Subsequently, simulations were carried out with CST to evaluate average SAR for the head and for specific head tissues such as the brain, muscles, and fat. Realistic computational human models were also used alongside SAM in CST to explore the influence of gender, age, and tissue type on SAR. Various power levels representing low, moderate, and high RF-EMF exposure were applied to the human models to compare against basic restrictions and reference levels. The simulation results indicate significantly higher SAR values calculated for 1800 MHz compared with 900 MHz. The ratio of the highest SAR values at 1800 MHz to 900 MHz is approximately 1.70 for a baby, 2.59 for a child, and 2.84 for both adult female and adult male. While the SAR values for the brain, fat, muscle, and head are comparable at 900 MHz for the baby, the brain’s SAR value at 1800 MHz stands out significantly from the other tissues. In contrast with the baby, the difference in SAR values between 900 MHz and 1800 MHz is more pronounced for the child, adult female and adult male. The lowest SAR values at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz were obtained for brain tissue in all human models, while the head has the highest SAR value. The maximum SAR change ratio between the brain and the head is calculated to be 4.44 for the male at 1800 MHz. The results reveal that, although the applied electromagnetic field levels were below reference levels for general public local exposure, some local SAR values exceeded the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection’s basic restriction for the general public at certain power levels, particularly at 1800 MHz. The SAR analysis derived from this study is significant in understanding the impact of wireless technologies on health, establishing safety standards, guiding technology advancement, conducting risk assessments, and increasing public awareness.

Objective: The increasing use of electronic devices, accompanied by advancing technologies, has led to heightened exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR). This exposure instigates the accumulation of free radicals and oxidative damage in tissues, consequently impacting biological systems. Notably, the testis is among the tissues adversely affected by EMR. Numerous studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the testis in sperm production, emphasizing the potential implications of any damage on the reproductive system. This study aims to assess the levels of lipid peroxidation through histological evaluation in the testicular tissue of prepubertal male rats exposed to electromagnetic radiation at varying electric field intensities within the 2.45 GHz radiofrequency (RF) range. Methods: The experimental group comprises six subdivisions, including a sham control group, as well as groups exposed to varying electric field strengths (EFS) of 0.6 V/m, 1.9 V/m, 5 V/m, 10 V/m, and 15 V/m, respectively. Excluding the sham control group, the remaining subgroups were subjected to a daily 2.45 GHz RF exposure for 1 hour starting immediately after fertilization. This exposure to different electric field intensities continued for 45 days post-birth. Results: The samples obtained from the RF radiation-exposed rats exhibited elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) values and decreased glutathione (GSH) values in the testicular tissue. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between the microwave radiation-exposed group and the control group revealed distinct histological alterations in the testicular tissue. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings indicate that exposure to microwave radiation at an electric field intensity of 15 V/m can lead to significant histopathological and oxidative parameter changes in Wistar rats. These results underscore the potential effects of such exposure on human health.

This study aims to determine the signal strengths of three cellular system operators for 2G, 3G and 4G services on the basis of drive test measurements that were conducted twice on a specific route on Ondokuz Mayis University (OMU) Kurupelit Campus. Nine same brand and model smartphones with “Android” operating system and “Netmonitor” application were used during the synchronized measurements. Measurement results demonstrate that 2G signal strengths are significantly higher than 3G/4G, and the received signal strength can change depending on the location, frequency, line of sight, and base stations’ output power. Considering all operators and both of the measurement results; the signal strengths vary from -50dBm to -103dBm for 2G, while from -51dBm to -113dBm, and from -62dBm to -130dBm for 3G and 4G respectively. The average signal strengths of both measurements for 2G, 3G and 4G vary between -79.25dBm and -63.36, -87.22dBm and -74.51dBm, -105.88dBm and -88.36dBm. The second measurement results show that the quality of signal is lower than the minimum limit (<-100dBm) determined by Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) of Turkey for 2G at some measurement locations. Furthermore, for 3G lower than the limit at 4.2% of all measurement locations for Operator C while for 4G 70.9% for Operator A. The use and comparison of these measurement results help operators to determine the parts that need enhancement, and take further actions.

There has been a substantial growth in the use of mobile communication services over the last few years. As a result of this increase in the number of base stations, and electromagnetic (EM) exposure levels have become inevitable. Considering the public debate about possible health hazards caused by electric field strength (E), in this study, evaluating the effect of establishment of 4G systems on existing E levels is aimed. For this purpose; the total 536 E measurements were conducted in Samsun before and after 1 April 2016. It is seen from the measurements that maximum E ( E max ) is 6.32 V/m while the maximum average E ( E avg ) is 3.26 V/m which are both below the limits that are determined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Turkey ( ICTA). The results demonstrate that the deployment of 4G yielded up to 52.3% increase in E max while 12.5% in E avg values. Furthermore in order to determine the main E sources band selective E measurements are conducted and analysed. Analyses demonstrate that 65.6% of total E is caused by UMTS2100, 22.3% is produced by GSM900, 4.8% by GSM1800, 1.3 % by LTE800, and 6% is generated by devices that use the remaining frequency bands.

This study offers a comprehensive in situ measurement and assessment of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in the central urban districts of Samsun, Türkiye, focusing on low-frequency magnetic flux density (B_LF) and radiofrequency electric field strength (E_RF). Drive-test measurements were performed across Atakum, İlkadım, and Canik districts to capture spatial variability and identify primary exposure sources. Band-selective analysis revealed that downlink (DL) transmissions are the main contributors to total E_RF exposure, indicating that base station emissions dominate the exposed E_RF levels in the environment. Six-minute averaged B_LF and E_RF values account for temporal fluctuations and confirm that exposure remains well below recommended limits. A one-way ANOVA test indicated that the differences in exposure levels among the three districts were not statistically significant. These findings provide a detailed spatial evaluation of EMF exposure in a large metropolitan region, demonstrating the value of integrated B_LF and E_RF measurements for environmental monitoring.

In this study, available spectrum parts in GSM900, LTE800, LTE900, GSM1800, LTE1800, UMTS2100 and LTE2600 were determined. The measurement campaigns were performed at 115 different locations in Samsun city center at the most active time of a day using RF Explorer 6G Combo analyzer device. The spectrum utilization rates were determined using energy detection technique (EDT), and average spectrum occupancy technique (ASOT). The thresholds were chosen manually as -40, -45, -50, -55, -60, -65, -70, -75 dBm, and as 10-dB above the noise floor, as recommended by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and spectrum utilization was evaluated through EDT and ASOT. Obtained results show that at most of the measurement locations spectrum occupancy percentages calculated via EDT and ASOT very close to each other. Based on the results UMTS2100 band showed the highest average spectrum occupancy i.e. 33.91% and the overall average spectrum occupancy rate was found to 22.72%. Additionally, at 50% of the measurement locations occupancy percentage was below 33% for all services. The average occupancy over GSM900 band was between 0,87% - 66.61% according to the predetermined threshold. It was also found that the bands LTE1800 and LTE2600 were mostly occupied for the thresholds below -60 dBm whereas the measured spectrum was mostly vacant for -40 dBm. This led us to infer that there is a great potential for share some of UHF band for cognitive radio applications and future 5G systems.