Social Analysis of Homes Near Power Line/Mast: Possible Effects on Residents
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study is to empirically investigate the perception of resident living close to telecommunication masts.
The specific objectives are;
- To determine the health effect of living close to the telecommunication masts
- To determine the effect of the radioactive emission from telecommunication masts.
- To determine the perception on the effect of masts on residential property.
- To determine the distance of the properties from telecommunication masts.
- To determine health hazards associated with telecommunication masts.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Several studies have addressed the subject matter. For example, Abdel et al (2007) in their Northern Ireland studies observe that residents living in Dunanon Local Government districts within 1-5km service radius close to mast location do suffer several number of cancer cases including lings, prostate, breast and lungs cancer. Other forms of ailment caused by mast location as reported by Abdel et al 2007 are that of leukaemia, lymphoma and haematopoietic which damaged blood cells and causes death of residents. They also observe untimely death, fever, headache as a result of vibration and pollution of environment due to various activities of generators and mast installation. They (Abdel et al 2007) further observe that land retained for mast or uses converted to mast affect the overall land use summation in an area which has effect on other land uses. Other planning requirements, in terms of application, allocation, rejection or grant of planning permits for mast location in an area, are not studied by Abdel et al (2007) work. This study attempts to unravel this. The study of Santini et al (2003) in the United Kingdom equally confirms further the effect of telecommunication mast on the health of people of United Kingdom in which they observe that mast operators around the Northern United Kingdom were asked by the residents and native authority to evacuate their telecommunication masts due to the negative impacts on the residents. Not only that Santini et al (2003) equally reports twenty seven (27) cases of fallen masts tower as a result of weather problem. He however recommends for strong and effective location of mast on a sound base to resist against tensile, weather, vibration and other gravitational forces. In the same vein, Onifade et al (2011) identify various side effects of mast location like vibration arising from generator and mast working on a regular basis. Noise pollution from mast and generator location exhausts fumes from generator, which causes lucomia and other ailments. His findings show that there is a significant relationship between mast location and health of the residents. The other health implication of mast location is the release of ultraviolent rays and pollution of ground water as a result of oil spillage into the soil which pollutes the nearby well water. Although the health implication of mast location within residential neighbourhood are critically dealt with by Onifade et al (2011)’s work, however the study does not show the severity and nature of the problem as will be addressed by this study
Telecommunication Mast Concerns
Telecommunication firms like MTN, GLO, AIRTEL and ETISALAT among others pay so much money to people per month to just erect their masts behind their houses. Depending on your power of negotiation and location, telecommunication companies could approach lessors to put up their masts on some unused space on their land and such lessors will earn between N250, 000 – N350, 000 per month. Such a lessor does not have to do anything than allow them to put up their mast around his/her house to earn such a huge amount. The construction, erection and deployment of telecommunication masts and towers have raised various issues, concerns and misgivings ranging from health, business, environmental, land use and planning and public safety. There are concerns about potentially negative impacts on both the social (e.g. health) and physical (e.g. aesthetics) aspects of base stations and masts. The public’s perceptions of the problems revolve around issues such as health risks, mast density, location, mast height, plus the difficulty of camouflaging the masts. Many commentators (such as Donati, 2003) have raised the question of the health and safety implications of erection of cellular masts and other communication gadgets near residential properties and areas of mass concentration of people like schools, hospitals, stadiums and residential communities. Sometime in 2004, chairman of the Nigeria Nuclear Medical Council, Professor Bola Osijo, warned that erection of telecommunication masts in residential areas was capable of causing cancer and other chronic diseases. He had disclosed then that about 50,000 Nigerians were being diagnosed with cancer yearly before the advent of the telecommunications masts, and reasoned that the influx of the masts by the telecommunications industry and their erection in residential areas could increase cases of the cancer disease. She warned that should 7 nothing be done to prevent indiscriminate erection of telecoms masts, more Nigerians will be afflicted with the scourge. The World Health Organization Health (2012) sees communication as critical in managing the health of any society as it plays a vital role in increasing the awareness of the people on the health situations around which goes a long way in determining the state of their health. In its exhaustive document, the WHO (2012) outlines communication actions geared towards health literacy while at the same time underscoring the need for it to be included in policy documents of countries.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine social analysis of homes near power line/mast: possible effect on residents. Residents from Osun state form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain social analysis of homes near power line/mast: possible effect on residents. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing social analysis of homes near power line/mast: possible effect on residents
Summary
This study was on social analysis of homes near power line/mast: possible effect on residents. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the health effect of living close to the telecommunication masts, to determine the effect of the radioactive emission from telecommunication masts, to determine the perception on the effect of masts on residential property, to determine the distance of the properties from telecommunication masts and to determine health hazards associated with telecommunication masts. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from residents in Osun state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Against the foregoing, one could safely affirm that the situation whereby there is poor knowledge and awareness leading to absence of risk perception and precautionary practices in relation to health hazards of telecommunication masts among the residents presents a potentially precarious health scenario. This conclusion stems from the fact that such disposition increases the residents’ vulnerability to the stated risks (Akin & Adeniji, 2014; Husain, Gwary, Yusuf & Yusuf, 2017).
Recommendation
- There is need for a massive and sustained public enlightenment campaign regarding the health risks associated with radiations coming from telecommunication masts. Such campaign should be executed through the mass media, religious groups, conferences and seminars. This will help improve people’s awareness and knowledge, thus reducing their likelihood to engage in risky behaviour.
- Concerned regulatory bodies such as the NCC and NESREA should ensure adequate and strict enforcement of applicable environmental regulations in regard to erection of telecommunication masts. This is one way of addressing the health risks attendant on the spread of telecommunication installations around the country.
- The nation may also need to review her town planning laws in order to address the problem of encroachment on areas within the designated range of telecom infrastructure as a result of change in demographics. For instance, such review should restrict development around areas with already installed telecommunication masts.
References
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