Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in Swedish radio stations and tall FM/TV towers

Radiofrequency electric and magnetic fields have been measured around 11 large broadcast stations and tall FM/TV towers in Sweden. The results show that operating personnel may be exposed to fields exceeding by several times the present standard for occupational exposure to RF radiation. Maintenance personnel are especially vulnerable to exposure when climbing energized towers. The present study indicates that the transmitters should be switched off during the performance of certain tasks on the tower. Safe passage of maintenance personnel near energized antennas of certain types is impossible without a drastic reduction of the transmitted power. In the stations, the RF leakage radiation was generally low, but when work was done with the cabinet doors of the transmitter open, high strengths were found in the vicinity of the transmitter even though it was switched off. It was found that the transmitter acted as a tuned receiver of energy from the other transmitters.