HIGH POWER RADIOFREQUENCY AND MICROWAVE RADIATION SOURCES:  A STUDY
                  OF RELATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

Herbert N. Hankin, Richard .A. Tell, T.  Whit Athey, and David E. Janes, Jr.
                   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                           9100 Brookville Road
                      Silver Spring, Maryland  20910
          Reprinted by:  U.S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                      Office of Radiation Programs
          From Operational Health Physics, Proceedings of the
          Ninth Midyear Topical Symposium of the Health Physics
          Society,  (Compiled by P.L.  Carson, W.R. Hendee, and
          D.C. Hunt), February 1976

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           HIGH POWER  RAIUOFRI-QUENCY AND MICHOWAVE  RADIATION SOURCES:   A STUDY
                          OF RELATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

        Norhcrt N.  Hankin,  Richard A.  Toll.  T.  Whit Athoy,  mul  l>avld  li.  .Innos, Jr.
                           U.S.  Hnvl roitmont ill  1'rotoctloit  Ajir»cy
                                   9100  hrookvll le  Komi
                              Silver Spring,  Murylnnd   20010


                                         Abstract

    Studies of environmental radiofrcqucncy  and microwave radiation,  high pov.cr radiation
 sources,  and  source contributions to existing  environmental nonionizing radiation levels
 have contributed  to an  understanding of the  relative  environmental significanc? of the
 major high power  source categories.  Analyses  and  measurements  have  produced information
 relating  to radiation characteristics,  potential hazard  evaluations,  and environmental
 radiation levels  associated with  high power  source categories,  which include satellite
 communication earth terminals,  radars (military and civilian),  and broadcast transmitters
 (UHF-TV,  VIIF-TV,  and  FM).   These  results when  considered along  with  other factors such as
 number of sources  in  each  category, relative  numbers  of  persons possibly exposed, and
 general system operating  characteristics and  procedures, lead  to the conclusion that
 broadcast transmitters  constitute the most  environmentally significant  source category.

                                      Introduction

    This paper presents  a  view of  the nonionizing radiation en.-ironment  in terms of
 categories of high power  sources  of nonionizing radiation,  their contributions to
 environmental levels,  and  the relative  significance of the source categories considered.
 This is only  one  of a number of results which  hnve come  from a  comprehensive measurement
 and analysis  program  whose objectives arc to  determine if  a notul exists for
 population exposure standards and to define  those  standards if.they  uro neoded.

    A.program  concerning the application of  nonionizing rndiation exposure standards  to
 the environment  requires  an understanding of  environmental  nonionizing  rndiation (NIR)
 in terms  of the  intensities of  existing electromagnetic  fields  as a  function of fre-
 quency-, identification  of  the 'sources and source categories which are  important in pro-
 ducing these  fields,  and  a determination of  the quantitative relationships  between
 sources and their  contributions to environmental nonionizing radiation  levels.

   •The nonionizing radiation environment consists  of  electromagnetic  radiation which
 exists over a wide range  of frequency (0-300 GHz).  At any point in  the environment  the
 environmental power density at  any frequency  is dependent  upon  the sources  in the general
 area and  the  geometry which exists relative  to the source  and that point in the environ-
 ment.  A  high power source can  be defined as one which is  capable of  producing a signif-
 icant power density,  arbitrarily  chosen to be  a minimum  of 0.01  mW/cm2, at  a distance
 fronr-tbe"antenna where  free access^would ordinarily-be possible,  with  inadvertent
 exposure  of individuals, unless restrictions were  intentionally  imposed.   With this
 definition,  it is  possible to differentiate between high power  sources  and  potentially
 hazardous sources  which are those capable of producing power densities  above this thres-
 hold, and of  the  order  of  10 mW/cm2,  but only  at distances  close to  a  system antenna
 where inadvertent  exposure of an  individual  is highly unlikely.

    The categories  of  high  power systems studied, i.e., satellite communication earth
 terminals,  search  and tracking  radars,  and broadcast  transmitters (UHF-TV,  VHF-TV, and
 FM), arc  those which  include systems  capable of producing  significant power densities
 in the environment.

    High power source  studies  were .undertaken to obtain information about  the maximum
 power density capabilities  of the  sources studied,  the variation  of on-axis  power density
-as 3 function of 'distance =ffdnf"t'hc  source1,"-arid to  aTlow  the  development of  models which
 could predict radiation characteristics  useful in  determining the significance  of
 individual  sources and  source categories  relative  to  the NIR environment.   In addition,
.the radiation characteristics obtained  are important  in  performing hazard evaluations of
 specific  systems and  facilities.

   .A realistic evaluation  of  a  source of  environmental RF .or microwave  radiation, in
 terms of  whether or not it  may  create a  hazardous  or undesirable  exposure situation,
 requires  source and biological  effects  information.   In  the  absence of  sufficient
 biological  effects information, a  potential hazard  evaluation can be used  to identify
 and evaluate  the sources which  may  be capable  of producing  radiation exposure levels
 defined to  be significant  relative  to some selected exposure criterion.   This evaluation

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 Is  based upon  en leu 1 n t I on  of  the  •; i j;n if lean I  elm rue t er i s t ics  of  a  source tinder very basic
 conditions  and neglects  the  factors  which  aild realism to  the  situation.   I'.Namples of suclt
 criteria on which  a  potential  hiiznrd evaluation  is  possible  lire  the  maximum on-slte power
 density which  may  exist  nt-a  specified distance,  or  the  distance to  which a specified
 .power'dens 11y  could  exist.

    The  evaluation  of  the relative environmental  significance  ol  these  sourer categories
 is  based not  only  on  their  potential  for producing  hazardous  levels  of nun Ion i z I nj; nidio
 tion, but includes factors  such  as  number  of  sources  In  each  category, relative numbers
 of  persons  possibly  exposed  to significant levels of  power density,  general system
 operating procedures,  and  NIR hazard awareness by operating  personnel.  The generally
 directional nature of  the  radiation  distribution  pattern  of  most high  power source
 antennas may  significantly  mitigate  the exposure  problem;  i .c. ,  the  power densities which
 cxi.st at free  access  locations may  be  substantially  less  than on-axis  or main beam power
 densities depending  upon antenna  height above ground, main beam  orientation, locations in
 the environment to which persons  may most  closely approach the  system, and the operation-
 al  procedures  employed.   Enhancement of environmental levels  of  power  density can occur
 if  radiation  is reflected  from surfaces upon  which  it may  be  incident  and interfere con-
 structively with other  radiation.

    Generally,  with the  exception  of  a  few  unique  systems,  the anticipated power densities
 at  distances of closest  approach  for individuals  not  occupationally  involved are  less
    mn the occupational  exposure threshold of  10 mW/cm2 specified  by current U.S. standards
     for prolonged  exposure  times.   However, environmentally  significant  power density
 levels, could  exist  in  the  environment at  great  distances  from many  of the sources
 considered.               .

                         Satellite Communication  Earth Terminals

    Satellite communication  earth  terminals have  the  functional  requirement to communicate
 with earth  orbiting  satellites.   Satellite communication  (SATCOM)  system antennas require
 very directional antennas  which  radiate power into  col lima tod beams  with very little
 divergence. The antenna diameter and maximum transmitter  power  arc  characteristics of
 particular  interes-t  from an environmental  aspect  since it  is  the combination of high
.transmitter power  and  large antenna  diameter  that is  responsible for producing a  region'
 of  significant power density  which may extend over  very  large distances.

    The  antennas of all  powerful  satellite  communication  system earth terminals  have
 paraboloidal surfaces,  are  circular  in cross-section, and  have.Cassegrain geometries.
 In  the  Gassegrain  antenna,  Fig.  1, power is  introduced to  the antenna  from the primary
 radiating source  (power  feed)  located at the  vertex of the paraboloidal  reflector.  The
 radiation is incident  on a  small  hyperboloidal subreflector  located  between .the vertex
 and the focus  of the antenna.   Radiation from the power  feed  is  reflected from the sub-
 reflector,  illuminates  the  main  reflector  as  if  it  had originated  at the focus, and is
 then collimated.

  ^.Th.e  .empirical modelt2)  used to calculate  the  radiation  characteristics of SATCOM
 earth" terminals applies  to  antennas  (reflectors)  that are  circular cross-section  para-
 boloids.  It expresses  the  on-axis  power density, the maximum which  exists for any given
 distance from  the  antenna,  as  a  function of distance  from  the antenna  in terms of basic
 characteristics; i.e.,  the  reflector diameter, radiation  frequency,  aperture efficiency,
 and the maximum power  which can  be  introduced into  the antenna  system  for subsequent
 radiation into space.   The  on-axis  radiation  field  characteristics for circular cross-
 section paraboloidal antennas  based  upon this model can  be described using Eqs. 1-4. v2>3)

     •'  ' '          ' "                                                      .                !
                    wnf  = —y—       wnf =  maximum (on-axis)  near-field                (1) .
                          110                power  density  (W/cm2)                 •     .     j
                                     n   =  aperture  efficiency,                             }
                    e                       typically  (KS
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                   W,,f
                                      W,f •  lar  field  power density (on
                                             .-ixis)  tit distance R
               (4)
                                               FEED
                                             PARABOLOID
                                             REFLECTOR
                                                                            -^PARABOLOID
                                                                           •**  KOCAL POINT
HYPERBOLOID
SUBREFLECTOR
    A -characteristic necessary to the
 ca 1 cilia t ion of on-nxis power density as
 a  function of distance from im nntcnnn
-is  the  extent of the near field, Ri
 (I:q.  2);  i.e., the distance over which
 the  on-axis power density is .1 maximum
 before  it begins to decrease with
 distance.  The- magnitude of the power
 density  oscillates, as a function of
 distance  from the antenna, in the near-
 field region, however the maximum
 value of  on-axis power density (liq. 1)
 is  constant.  The hcam of radiation is
 collimatcd so that most of the power- in .
 the  near- field is contained in a region
 having  approximately the diameter of the
 reflector.  The power density, W/f, in                                                    ...
 the  far-field, where R*2Ri, decreases                                                 -*«iE^
 inversely as the square of the di-stance from  the  antenna.   In the intermediate  field
 (RjsRs2Ri), a transition region between the near-  and the  far-fields, the power density,
 wif» (En. 3) •  decreases inversely with distance.

    Comparisons between measured on-axis power density levels and predicted values  for  the
 systems measured are sufficiently good to provide  confidence in the model used.

 Anticipated Environmental Levels of Power Density  for Selected Systems

    Calculations have been made  for. the expected  characteristics of several existing
 satellite communication systems operating at  maximum  transmitter power.  .In each case,
 the  distances from the antenna at which power densities  of 10 mW/cm2, 1 .-nW/cm2,  100
 cm?, .atid-10 uW/cni2 arc expei' ted have been... determined.: The results arc given  in Table
 I .-('* )     -
                                                     Fig. 1  Cassegraln  Antenna
                           __          _
   The* fa'c'to'rs  which must l>c considered in realistically  evaluating a system relative., to
 the  potent ial  for exposure of persons at power density  levels above a selected  thrcsho.ld,
 include, the  transmitter power used in its regular operations  (generally much less  than
 the  maximum  possible),  the procedures employed in system  operation, height an°yc._&<£pl.l.l.iiU-
 tcrraih character jstics.,, antenna si-dcJobe— ra-di-at ion  cha;r:rctcrt~sTic's"7' t'he mTiiimum cTcva-
 tion.'ariglc of  the antenna h^Io-w which the -system cannot operate,  location and he"ight'"6f'
 structures,  and population characteristics within the area  of interest.  A system  may
 produce' significant power densities, and not constitute a hazard  if there is no poss,i,bil-
 ity  fo.rexposij re _of_ ^persons. --._. 7r —j^r^r^—-^-^^''^-'"" ^TVrZTT* lZH^va-1^ --^t»-
. 'Table. 1 Anticipated Characteristics
System
LET -
AN/TSC-54
AN/MSC-46
AN/MSC-60
AN/FSC-9 '""
Intelsat
Antenna
Diameter
(ft)
15
18(eff)
40
60
60 	
97
A*
(cm)
3; 7
3.7
3.7
3.7i
3.7
4.8
PT
(kW)
2.5
8
10
8
20
5 -
Rl
(m)
9.98x10
1.44xl02
7.10xl02
1.60x103
K60xl03
3.22x103
of Selected
"nf (max)
.(mW/cm2)
30.4
50.8
„ 8.5,6 :.;?
,- 3.0.4 . .
7.61
.728
Satellite Communication
Systems

Distance (m) from Antenna
for Power Densities of:
10 mW/cm2
2.46xl02
4.58xl02
-: , -:-:-- , •- ."
^V C-> -'•-
-
. . _
1 mW/cm2
7.79xl02
1.45xl03
2, 94x1 03
, ^3,54x1 a3-.
6.23xl03
•
100 uW/cm2
2.46xl03
4.58xl03
9.29xl03
.1.25xl04
1.97xl04
1.23xl04
10 uW/cm2
7.79xl03
1.45xl04
2.9x104
.3.94X104--
6.23xl04
3.88xl04
Goldstone                                         '       i         *          »          *
  Venus     85      12.6   450   9.43xl02    97.3     4.16xl03    1.32xl04    4.16xl04    1.32xl05
Goldstone
  Mars      210      12.6   450'   5.76xl03    16.8     9.68xl03   3.34xl04    1.06xl05   3.34xl05

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     The systems analyzed ronr.itiitc n potential hazard In thnt the maximum on-axls  power
  densities cnp.iblc of beinp. produced range from 0.73 to 97.3 mW/cm^ and  the  near-field
  distances range from 10^ to 6x10?' m.  These systems arc able to produce on-axis power
  densities, H.mW/cm', at distances ranging from 7.8xl02 to 3.3xl04 m.   High power SATCOM
  systems arc relatively unique, few in number, and have.extremely well collimatcd  beams.
  The very large and-powerful sources such as the Goldstone Venus and Mars systems  have
  extensive general population exclusion areas which includes the air space above them.
  The operational procedures employed were developed with safety as a consideration.   In
  many cases, elevation angles less than minimum; i.e.,  7.5 degrees above the horizon, are
  not possible during normal operation.  An effort is made to avoid irradiation  of  persons
  and structures by the main beam of radiation because of mission objectives  and safety
  considerations.  It is of interest to see that for these systems having antenna diameters
  which vary from 15 feet to 210 feet, the near-field extent, R\, increases from approxi-
  mately 100 meters to almost 6xl03 meters.  With the exception of the  Intelsat  system,  the
  on-axis near-field power densities, Wnr, are of the same order of magnitude or exceed  10
  mW/cm'.  Examination of the distances from the antenna at which various on-axis power
  densities occur, shows the increase in the spatial extent over which  significant  power
  densities exist, as the antenna diameter and near-field extent increase.  Even for a
  small diameter, low power system such as the LET, 10 pW/cm'.can exist as far as 7.8xl03m
  from the antenna.

                                       Radar Systems

     Radar systems in the categories of acquisition and  tracking radars have  been studied.
  (3)  Included were military systems, a;r traffic control (ATC) radars,  and  weather
  radars.  The results are used to specify, for entire system categories  where possible,
  the ranges of on-axis power de sity levels produced and the distances from  the system
  for which significant environmental levels exist.

     The variation of system characteristics is greatest in the categories of acquisition
  and tracking radars, resulting in a wide range of on-axis near-field  power  densities and
  effective near-field distances.  The systems studied represent the majority of powerful
  .radars used for civilian application and include examples of military systems  considered
  to be among the most hazardous under worst-case operating conditions  relative  to  power
  "denTs liry~ reveals and The distance •over-rwh->ch--t;-ho.s.e.-.ifvels .ip.ay,. occur.

   --The .character is tic of primary interest, in radar system radiation measurements  is
  ..time-averaged power density, not peak- power-density.  The radiation is  pulsed, and, for
  mo.st systems, the pulse width and--rcpctit-ion rate are'such. that the average  transmitter
  power and power density created at any point are roughly two to four  orders of magnitude.
  less than.the peak value.  In addition,..many radar system antennas rotate,  further
  ;feducing" the. time-averaged»power~densi-t-y-'whichrmight-;Occurr at. a particular  location.
  r :',._.    .          "   '""     '."'  	"-''  •'-•'•  ^ • '•" -:-~ •: : -  -.=  i-s  - - : •
     .An evaluation of peak radiation-characteristics, is appropriate when  considering
  • interference effects, as exist for the operation;of certain electronic  systems in a
  •pulsed microwave radiat4on field, and any biological effects caused by  pulsed  fields.

     All of the radars studied have antennasjwith paraboloidal surfaces.  Those  with
 —ci-rcular-cross-sections can be-analyticall^trea^ed by tke_ model used in the analysis  of
  SATCOM system antenna radiation characteristics.  The acquisition and tracking radar
  category includes radars which have circular, rectangular, and ellipsoidal  cross-
 • sections.   Noncircular cross-section antennas collimate radiation in  a  manner  such that
 ..the radiation beam is better collimated in the plane which contains the antenna axis
  having the larger dimension, arid has greater divergence in the plane  containing the
 ..antenna axis of lesser length, the antenna axes being mutually orthorgonal.

 ,. _  The time-averaged system characteristics used in evaluation of radar hazards are
^*T~   T7-         .   .    -  --_.
    "The model, used^to determine -ort^axisj^'timc-averagcd power, dcnsi ties  at  a distance
  beyond the near-field of the antenna, has been modified  for  paraboloidal antennas that
  have other than circular cross-sections.  The effective  near-field distance,  Rjeff is
  expressed as:

  ...  "    .,,-.                      Rleff = 0.318 A/X                                    (5)

     Antenna rotation further reduces the time-averaged power  density which  would be
  produced by a stationary (non-rotating) radar antenna.   The  power density produced
  at any point, by a system with a rotating antenna is:

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                                        W •  Ws-f                                       16)

 where Ws is the t i mo -nvt-r.-ifird power .density proiliirccl hy the antenna If stationary and f
 is the rotntion.il  reduction factor which applies  at the point  of interest.

    Anticipated characteristics of several  types of radar systems are presented in Table 2
 and Table 3'3) for  acquisition and tracking systems, respectively.   Shown are the dis-
 tances from the antenna at which power densities  of 10 mW/cm2,  1 mW/cm2, 0.1 mW/cm2, and
 0.01 mW/cm2 are expected if the antennas were stationary.
Table 2 Acquisition Radar Sys t
System
Antenna Dimensions* (ft)

Frequency (GHz)
Average Transmitter Power (W)
Near-Field Extent (m)
Near-Field Power Density (mW/cm2)
Distance (m) to
10 mW/cm2
1 mW/tm2
0.1 mW/cm2
0.01 mW/cm2
Rotational Reduction Factor
(far-ficldj
FPN-
cm
"40
1 = T 1 i - Q 1 1
^v •' » ''h I
azim. I
9.0
180
22
12.8

28.1
111
351
l.llxlO3

3.8xlO"2









Characteristics

v=10, Lh-2.5
elev.


17
13.9

24.2
8«).h
283
8 18

1.33-
2.8xl03
31.2
15.5

48.3
174
54!)
1.74x1 0s



Lh * 42



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                                   lllir-TV Transmitters
    IIIIF t olcv i:; ion I r;in:;ini •'•'.< ion liar,
 the environment to xvhich millions
 tion and  radar systems .ire sources
 collimatcd beams with relatively 1
 source, the 'UHF-TV antenna is an a
 horizontal plane, hut having some
 disseminate information and in the
 numbers of people may reside.  Ulll:
 CW sources which have high cri'cctivc
 areas.
 In-come :i common and w i ill-spread ra'diatinn component  of
of persons arc exposed.   Whereas satellite cominun lea-
 .with very directional antennas radiating power  into
ittle divergence compared to an isotropical 1'y  radiating
Imost isotropic radiator, omnidirectional in  the
collimation in the vertical plane.   It  is designed  to
 process irradiate very  large areas  in  which  great
-TV transmitters comprise a significant  ninnher of  the
   radiated power, and arc commonly  located  in urhan
    The transmission frequencies range from 432 to 728 Mil?., equivalent  to  a  range of
 radiation wavelengths of (>!). <1 cm to 41.2 cm, respectively.  The maximum effective
 isotropic radi.ltcd power (I-IRP) allowed by the Federal Column nh: at ions  Commission for a
 single UHF-TV transmitter is 5.0 MW   There were 306 UHF-TV stations  in operation in the
 United States as of December 1971.'5'  There are 52 transmitters  having an  E1RP greater
 than 2 megawatts and approximately 100 transmitters with an LIRP  greater  than  I megawatt.

    I.t has become a common practice in certain very large urban areas  to locate two or
 more powerful UHF-TV antennas at the same location, and in some instances atop the
 tallest buil'dings.  The possibility that other buildings, of the  same  height may be,
 located within close proximity to the antennas results in the possibility for  exposure"
 of ma^y persons to microwave radiation at relatively high .power density levels.

    The field strength and power density for the general case of UHF-TV transmission
 (assuming no propagation losses) are described by the following equations:'  •*
                                         Ra(30 Pj)1/2
                                                                                       (7)
                                                ..2
 whore L = field strength (volt/meter), R^, - relative field strength and  is  a  function of
 the depression angle, a, relative to horizontal, Pj = total KIRP  (W)  for  a  transmitter
 for both visual and aural signals, and r = distance from antenna  (meters).  The  geometry
 used in the model is shown in Figure 2.  The distance to the antenna  is.  given  in  terms of
 the^relative vertical height, h, and horizontal distance, d.  R^, ,  is  determined from the
 vertical radiation pattern of the antenna.  A typical radiation pattern,  that  of  WDCA
 (Bethesda,  MD), is shown in Figure 3.
   .."The. resul ts  of power density for several
-relative  antenna/exposure point heights as a
 function  of horizontal distance from the
'antenna  for a  transmitter/antenna EIRP of 1
 megawatt  are  shown in Figure 4.^

    The  results  can be applied to the case of
 a  transmitter  or transmitter complex, in
 order to  estimate environmental power density
 levels  and population exposed to power den-
 sities  above  any selected threshold.  The
                   1.0
                    .8
                 06
                 C
                 4]
                W

                T3

                                                    4)  *1

                                                   ,|j---
                                                    W
                                                    i-l
                                                    4>
                                                    <*  .2
                                                             Depression  Angle (dcg)
                              Exposure Point
 Fig.  2.   Geometry Used in Calculation of Field
      Intensities for UHF-TV Transmission.
                       -2
0
                                                 10
                 Fig. 3.  Vertical Radiation  Pattern,
                                WDCA

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 power  density  characteristics  for
 different  transmitters will differ
 dependinjj  upon their  iiulividu/il
 antenna  radiation  patterns.

   The results, assuming  for
 simplicity that the radiation
 pattern  (Fig.  3) is typical of all
 IJIIF-TV transmitters,  have been
 applied  to a worst-case prediction
 of population  exposed  to  power
 densities  equal to or  greater  than
 1 uW/cn)2 and 4 pW/cm^  from selected
 transmitter complexes  in  four urban
 areas.   In this worst-case determina-
 tion,  the  field strength  was doubled
 to allow for reflections.  The
 results  of this estimate  .ire presented
 in Table 4.17'

   In  urban areas, where  population
 distribution may vary  greatly over
 relatively small distances, differ-
 ences  between  predicted power
 densities  and  those which actually
 exist, especially  in  the  rep ion of
 the second power density  maximum
 (Fig.  4) may be responsible for
 significant differences in the loca-
 tion and extent of the region in which
 exceeded,  and  subsequently responsible
 exposurcd  population and  the number o1.'
 CM

   U
     19
     10°
10-
    10
  g
  a.
      -2
  c
  03
  .O
    10
      r3
      ,-4
    .10
    10"5
   h=]000_
       .01
                0.1            1.0
                 Distance (miles)
10
  Fig.  4.   UHF-TV Radiation Characteristics, 1 MW

a selected power density threshold may be
for large differences between the estimated
persons actually exposed.
Table 4
Station
WPHL
WDCA/WETA
WSNS/WFLD
WSBK/WKBG
Approximate Population Exposure from
Selected UHF-TV Transmitters
Total
EIRP
(mW)
4.9
5.7
6.0
5.5
Location
Philadelphia
Washington
Chicago
Boston
Population Exposed
(Thousands) to Power
Densities of
1 uK/cm* 4 uW/cmz
1300 3
800 20
46 20
10 1
                               Discussion.and-Conclusions
   Satellite communication earth terminals, tracking radars, and UHF-TV transmitters  are
categories of high power sources of nonionizing radiation capable of producing main beam
time-averaged power densities considered hazardous; i.e., >10 mW/cm^, at distances of
the order of 100 meters from the system antenna.  In general, all of these source
categories contain systems which can generate environmentally significant, main beam
power densities, defined in this paper to be >10 pW/cm^ at distances on the order of  100
m from a source.  However, significant differences between the radiation characteristics
of these sources occur because of differences in beam collimatiqn, antenna location
relative to population centers, antenna height above ground,.and system operational
procedures.  VIIF-TV. and KM broadcast transmitters have not been specifically discussed
in this" paper since environmental data and analyses arc extremely recent and not yet
avaiLabie 'for presentation.  However, similarities in' environmental radiation
characteristics of broadcast transmitters allow the discussion.of UHF-TV transmitters
to be generally applicable to the category of high power broadcast sources and indicate
that VHF-TV and FM transmitters are environmentally significant sources.

   SATCOM and tracking radar antennas produce very well collimated radiation beams and
off-axis radiation levels are greatly reduced relative to main beam radiation levels.
The ratio of off-axis power density to on-axis power density at any far-field location
is generally less than 0.01 at angles greater than S degrees relative to the antenna
axis for systems having small diameter (MO ft) antennas.  This ratio decreases as off-
axis angle increases,  and the angle at which a given ratio may exist decreases as
antenna diameter increases and wavelength decreases.   Radiation produced by a UHF-TV
transmitter is collimated vertically, but for an exposure point out of the main beam
at depression angles >7 degrees (refer to Fig. 2), the ratio of field intensity at that

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point to main beam field  intensity nt that same distance from  the antenna  Is  rclntivcly
constant and approximately equal to 0.1  (refer to Fig. 3),

   A determination of  the relative environmental significance  of  these  source  cii-tcgories
should  include  the differences  in beam collimation characteristics,  the  fact  that  UIU'-TV,
VHF-TV, and FM  pntcnna height above ground is. much great or  than that  of  trucking  rndar
and SATCOM antennas, and  that generally  radar and SATCOM systems  a IT  lociitod whcro nccoss
Is restricted and population sparse when compared to  the location of  broadcast  sources.

   Tracking radar and  SATCOM systems arc considered to hnvo a  greater potential  for the
production of hazardous environmental power densities closer  to the  ground  than  IMIP-TV
sources.  However, the number of persons that could be exposed to these  levels  and to
•environmentally significant  levels would be expected  to be  very small because  of  (1)
system  location in sparsely populated ureas,  (2) operation  generally  in  accordance with
procedures to minimize the possibility for exposure of persons, and  (3)  the well
collimatcd radiation beam.

   UHF-TV and broadcast sources generally should be considered to have  the  greatest
environmental significance.  It has been shown that they have  the capability  to  produce
significant power densities outside of the main beam  and irradiate  large numbers  of
people.  The number of transmitters and  persons involved in situations  where  exposure
levels  should be reduced will ultimately depend upon  verification of  these  predictions
with measurements and  the results of biological effects research  in  determining  the
threshold levels for exposure upon which standards would be based.

           -                          References

1.  Department of Labor, "Occupational Safety and Health Stand-.rds,  National Consensus
Standards and Established Federal Standards," Federal Register, Vol.  36, No.  105,  10522-
10523,  1971.

2.  U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, "Laser and Microwave Hazr.rds Course Manual,"
l:dgewood Arsenal,  MD.

3.  Hankin, N.N.,  tell, R.A., At hey, T.W., and Janes, D.E., "Environmental Nonionizing
Radiation from High Power Sources," U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency, .Silver  Spring,
MD (to be published).-.;-^     --:.   ._-.•,;•-.•         -   ...   .          -
                             .ar ^«-»-                    .'•"-'-'      ". _
4.  Hankin, N.N.,  "An Evaluation of Selected Satellite Communication  Systems as Sources
of Environmental Microwave Radiation," F.PA-520/2-74-008, U.S.  Environmental Protection
Agency, Silver Spring, MD, 1974.

5.  "Broadcasting 497-2^Ttrarbook.,:" Broadcasting Publications,  Inc., Washington,  DC, 1971.
6.  Tell, R.A. and Nelson, J.C., "Calculated Field Intensities Near a High  Power  IIHF
Broadcast Installation," Radiation Data and Reports, July 1974.

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