Article Review: Electromagnetic Pollution Resulting from  Non-Ionizing Radiation in Kirkuk City

N.A. Ahmed; M.W. Aziz; ,S.A. Ahmed; M.A.  Najemalden; R.T  Ahmed

Authors

N.A. Ahmed Department of Physics, College of Education for Women, University of Kirkuk, Iraq
M.W. Aziz Department of Physics, College of Education for Women, University of Kirkuk, Iraq
,S.A. Ahmed Department of Physics, College of Education for Women, University of Kirkuk, Iraq
M.A. Najemalden Ministry of Environment, Department to protect and improve the environment in the north region, Kirkuk, Iraq
R.T Ahmed Ministry of Environment, Department to protect and improve the environment in the north region, Kirkuk, Iraq

Keywords:

Electromagnetic pollution, Non-ionizing radiation (NIR), Electromagnetic fields (EMF), Kirkuk City

Abstract

A new environmental threat on a global scale is electromagnetic pollution, which is caused by non-ionizing radiation (NIR). Using emissions from mobile cellular base stations and high-voltage transmission lines as a focal point, this paper examines the levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in Kirkuk City, Iraq. Research based on measurements shows that EMF levels in residential areas are still below the recommendations made by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). It is recommended that ongoing monitoring and public awareness be implemented to minimize the long-term impacts of exposure, even though the acute health hazards seem to be minimal.

References

G. Ziegelberger et al., “Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz),” Health Phys., vol. 118, no. 5, pp. 483–524, 2020.

E. A. and I. Navarro, “Is the sustainability of exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation possible?” Medicina Clínica (English Ed.), vol. 162, no. 8, pp. 387–393, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.11.011.

A. M. Manville, B. B. Levitt, and H. C. Lai, “Health and environmental effects to wildlife from radio telemetry and tracking devices—State of the science and best management practices,” Front. Vet. Sci., vol. 11, Art. no. 1283709, 2024.

A. H. Mutlag, “Investigate and analyze the electromagnetic fields levels emitted by cellular base stations in Kirkuk City,” Kirkuk Univ. J. Sci. Stud., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 26–39, 2017, doi: 10.32894/kujss.2017.124915.

L. M. Salih, “Performance study of the radio frequency radiation power density of mobile base station,” Int. J. Sci. Eng. Res., vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 1729–1732, 2017.

T. M. K. Al-Shwany and R. M. S. Al-Karkh, “Assessment of pollutants emitted by automobile exhaust on some physiological variables of the exposed people in the city of Kirkuk,” Int. J. Health Sci., vol. 6, suppl. 6, pp. 5499–5513, 2022.

L. Ghimire and E. Waller, “The future of health physics: Trends, challenges, and innovation,” Health Phys., vol. 128, no. 2, pp. 167–189, 2025.

K. Karipidis et al., “Effect of exposure to radiofrequency fields on cancer risk in the general and working population: A systematic review of human observational studies—Part I: Most researched outcomes,” Environ. Int., vol. 191, Art. no. 108983, 2024.

K. Karipidis et al., “Effect of exposure to radiofrequency fields on cancer risk in the general and working population: A systematic review of human observational studies—Part II: Less researched outcomes,” Environ. Int., Art. no. 109274, 2025.

H. Hinrikus et al., “Limiting exposure to radiofrequency radiation: Principles and possible criteria for health protection,” Int. J. Radiat. Biol., vol. 99, no. 8, pp. 1167–1177, 2023.

P. Héroux et al., “Cell phone radiation exposure limits and engineering solutions,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 20, no. 7, Art. no. 5398, 2023.

“Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: Implications for 5G,” Environ. Health, vol. 21, Art. no. 92, 2022.

D. Colombi et al., “Implications of ICNIRP 2020 exposure guidelines on the RF EMF compliance boundary of base stations,” Front. Commun. Netw., vol. 3, Art. no. 744528, 2022.

A. Balmori, “Evidence for a health risk by RF on humans living around mobile phone base stations: From radiofrequency sickness to cancer,” Environ. Res., vol. 214, Art. no. 113851, 2022.

M. Khosravipour et al., “Association of prolonged occupational co-exposures to electromagnetic fields, noise, and rotating shift work with thyroid hormone levels,” Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., vol. 270, Art. no. 115837, 2024.

R. Ramirez-Vazquez et al., “Personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: A comparative analysis of international, national, and regional guidelines,” Environ. Res., vol. 246, Art. no. 118124, 2024.

Y. J. Choi et al., “Cellular phone use and risk of tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 17, no. 21, Art. no. 8079, 2020.