RF Field Intensity Measurements in Selected Broadcast Facilities
John C.H. Wang, Jack M. Linthicum · 1976
Early 1976 research measured RF radiation at broadcast facilities, documenting occupational exposures decades before cell phones.
Plain English Summary
This 1976 technical report measured RF field intensity and power density levels at various broadcast facilities. The research documented electromagnetic radiation exposure levels at radio and television stations, providing baseline data for understanding occupational RF exposure in broadcasting environments.
Why This Matters
This study represents early recognition that broadcast facilities create significant RF exposure environments requiring measurement and documentation. In 1976, researchers were already concerned enough about RF field intensity at radio and TV stations to conduct systematic measurements. What makes this particularly relevant today is that broadcast facilities often generate far higher RF levels than the cell towers and wireless devices we worry about in our daily lives. Workers at these facilities face occupational exposures that can be orders of magnitude higher than what you experience from your smartphone. The science demonstrates that understanding these high-exposure environments helps establish the upper bounds of what humans can tolerate, while also highlighting how broadcast infrastructure has been bathing communities in RF radiation for decades.
Finding
The objective of these measurements is to obtain information concerning the highest levels of electromagnetic radiation existing in or near typical transmitting stations licensed by the FCC, particularly in areas where human activity is most likely to be encountered.
In their words
“The objective of these measurements is to obtain information concerning the highest levels of electromagnetic radiation existing in or near typical transmitting stations licensed by the FCC, particularly in areas where human activity is most likely to be encountered.”
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The objective of these measurements is to obtain information concerning the highest levels of electromagnetic radiation existing in or near typical transmitting stations licensed by the FCC, particularly in areas where human activity is most likely to be encountered.
RF field intensity measurements were conducted at selected broadcast facilities including television...
Measurements showed power density levels ranging from negligible to 5440 volts/meter at various loca...
The measurements indicate that exposure levels from broadcast facilities are generally well below established safety standards. The data provides a basis for the Commission to determine whether environmental safety hazards due to non-ionizing radiation may exist.
Show BibTeX
@article{rf_field_intensity_measurements_in_selected_broadcast_facilities_g4665,
author = {John C.H. Wang and Jack M. Linthicum},
title = {RF Field Intensity Measurements in Selected Broadcast Facilities},
year = {1976},
}