The effect of electromagnetic fields on building materials: The case of base stations

This study investigates the electromagnetic field (EMF) permeability characteristics of widely used construction materials to determine their effectiveness in electromagnetic insulation against radiation emitted by base stations. Field measurements were conducted at 81 base stations located in the city center of Diyarbak & imath;r in accordance with the standards of the Information and Communication metal, lead, PVC, XPS, and recycled concrete. The results indicate that the highest average electromagnetic field intensity was measured in free-space conditions (3.37 V/m), whereas lead exhibited the most effective shielding performance with an average value of 1.01 V/m, corresponding to an attenuation of approximately 70%. Metal sheets also showed strong shielding capability with an average value of 1.29 V/m. Among conventional materials, recycled concrete demonstrated lower electromagnetic permeability (2.13 V/m) compared to standard concrete (2.60 V/m). Thickness-dependent measurements revealed that increasing recycled concrete thickness from 3 cm to 7 cm reduced electromagnetic field intensity from up to 2.93 V/m to as low as 1.64 V/m, representing a reduction of approximately 44%. Measurements conducted inside and outside the safety distance further confirmed that EMF levels outside the safety distance can be more than twice those measured inside. Overall, the findings demonstrate that material type, thickness, and safety distance play a critical role in reducing electromagnetic exposure. Recycled concrete emerges as a sustainable and effective alternative for electromagnetic shielding in building design.