Rapid proliferation of mobile phone antennas (MPA) and mobile phone base stations (MPBS), well visible on the roof of palaces in the centre of the cities made worldwide people concerned about health effects of the emitted electromagnetic fields. The term “electrosmog” contributed attaching a negative label to electromagnetic wave emission. Despite the very controversial epidemiological studies on the possible enhancement of the rate of occurrence of leukaemia in children exposed to 50 - 60 Hz fields, some with positive evidences [1] - [3] others with negative ones [4] [5] and the number of negative results about the possible effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on people health (see e.g., [6] - [9] ), every new power transmission station (PTS) or mobile telephone base station (MTBS) raises protests of concerned citizens. Everybody pretends very good signal for his mobile phone, but strongly opposites new antennas. Even in cities of Albania , where air pollution due to the rapidly increasing number of cars, most of them powered by very aged diesel engines, is very high and certainly very dangerous, people and public authorities are starting to put more and more attention to electromagnetic pollution.

In any case, even if in our opinion it is not at present the most urgent ecological problem for a country like Albania, the publication of directories of the European Commission on the limits of the intensities of electric and magnetic fields for citizens [10] and workers [11] , the publication of the relative national laws on these item by neighbour countries like Italy [12] [13] with the most restrictive limits in Europe, and the necessity for Albania to adequate its regulations to the European Union (EU) models, roused the opportunity to perform a survey of the intensity of the electric and magnetic fields in the frequency range of interest. Due to a long-term collaboration between the universities of Lecce and Gjirocastër, the first survey was made in the city and province of Gjirocastër , south of Albania, at the border with Greece .

First of all, a survey was made to detect the number and position of electric and magnetic field sources in Gjirokastër. More, information was got by local authorities about power plants and transformer stations in the surrounding territory. After, field measurements were made close to power lines, PTS, radio and TV broadcasting antennas, MPBS and in bar, restaurants and terraces in the nearby of electromagnetic radiation sources. Then, accurate measurements of the field intensities were made in Bistrice, about 40 km far from Gjirokastër, where a hydroelectric power plant with a power of 22.5 MW is operating. Measurements were performed both near power generators and voltage transformers and in the working positions (control panels, PC positions, rest rooms, etc.) and all around the border of the power plant. Last, electromagnetic field intensity was measured in the city of Delvine, about 50 km from Gjirokastër, where the major and population were concerned about the possible adverse effects on people health of a MPBS and asked for measurements.

For the above indicated measurements, the following diagnostic instruments were used:

-Holaday Instruments, model HI-3604 anisotropic sensor for extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. It is appropriate for detection of electric fields in the frequency range 20 Hz - 5 kHz and magnetic fields in the frequency range 40 Hz - 1 kHz. The output linearity is close to 1 (0.96 - 1.04) for changes of the inductance B in the range 0.2 mT - 1 mT.

-Holaday Instruments, model HI-4455 isotropic radiofrequency (RF) sensor, checked in the range 200 kHz - 40 GHz.

-Narda, model EHP- 50C isotropic sensor of ELF/VLF magnetic fields, with various frequency ranges, from 0 - 500 Hz to 0 - 10 kHz. This sensor can store data for 24 hours at the rate of 1 record/minute. Data are then transferred to a PC and analyzed.

-Chauvin-Arnoux, model CA43 isotropic RF sensor, operative in the range 100 kHz - 2.5 GHz. This sensor can detect electric field (E) values in the range 0.1 - 200 V/m. Data can be stored and processed with a PC.

-Chauvin-Arnoux, model CA40 anisotropic sensor for ELF magnetic fields. It can operate in the range 30 - 300 Hz. Magnetic fields B in the intensity range 0.01 mT - 2 T can be measured.

-EMfields anisotropic sensor for ELF electric and magnetic (e.m.) fields (10 Hz - 2 kHz) operating for B intensities in the range 0.01 - 20 mT and E intensities in the range 0.1 V/m - 2 kV/m.

Most of the instrumentation has already been used for monitoring e.m. fields in Otranto [14] , with working methodologies in conformity with Italian regulations, coherent with the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) and CEENELEC recommendations [15] [16] .

The choice of the time of day in which to take the measurements was made, as far as possible, in such a way that the fields being measured were expected to be at the highest possible levels. The measuring process in general lasted for a period of about 1 hour for those points with the most significant electro-magnetic field (EMF) values. The sensors were also positioned in accessible points where the fields were expected to have the highest values. The places thus selected were sites where the workers or the public could be assumed to spend at least 4 hours a day. In the case of use of the monoaxial sensors, account was taken of the correct alignment with respect to the sources in order to measure significant values.

The first measurements were performed in Gjirokastër. Source locations are evidenced in Figure 1, together with the sites where measurements were undertaken. Here, on the top of Keculla, a hill overhanging the city, are placed four very high antennas for radio-television broadcasting and mobile telephone communications (S1), huge and visible from every corner of the city. At the basis of the four ugly antennas, a very romantic restaurant (P1), with a wonderful view on the castle, the old city and the surrounding mountains, is an attractive point for summer dinners. In Gjirokastër, other found out electromagnetic radiation sources are a MPBS (S2), placed on a roof in the downtown district and a PTS (S3), at the Southern limit of the city, where electrical power at 20 kV is reduced to 220 - 380 V and conveyed to the local users.

The frequencies of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the above mentioned radiation sources is reported in Table 1.

Field intensity measurements started at the basis of the four antennas on the hill of Keculla (P1 in Figure 1). Measurements were performed for a period of about 1 hour, late in the morning. Peak values are given in Table 2. Electric and magnetic fields were independently measured, since in the proximity of the antennas measurements were not taken in the far-field region.

Even if the number of radiation sources was high and they were close to the measurement points, significantly high fields were not detected. The measured values are within the limits established by the EU regulations and also by the more restrictive Italian laws for places not permanently (less than 4 h/day) occupied by the population. Of course, except the restaurant, where chefs and waiters spend more than 4 h/day, the remaining area of the hill of Keculla is only occasionally occupied by people. But, in the restaurant the field intensities are very low. It means that, at the moment, there are no reasons to limit the access to the hill and its lovely restaurant.

Going down from the hill to downtown, measurements of the intensity of the electric field E (100 kHz - 30 GHz range) and of surface specific energy S have been made in very busy positions (P2: Medreseja School, P3: Castle Square, P4: Restaurant Fantazia―on a little hill) and near the MPBS (P5: Terrace of the University). Results are reported in Table 3. The intensity values of the magnetic field B can be found by the simple relation B = E/c in this frequency range, where c is the velocity of light n vacuum, since measurements were made in the far-field region. The values of S were always lower than the sensitivity of the used instruments (0.001 W/m²). Also these values, measured in very busy hours for mobile telephones (12 - 14), when the e.m. field should get their highest values, are generally very low. The electric field E has a discrete intensity only on the roof (terrace) of Bar First (S2). In any case, it must be noticed that it represents a peak value and would be considered in the limits of what allowed by the EU directory and the Italian law, even if it would be a mean, not a peak, value.

After this set of measurements, related to the e.m. emission at high frequency, we moved to the transformer power station, located at the border of the city. Results of measurements of ELF electric and magnetic field intensity are reported in Table 4. Since measurements were made in the near field region, electric and magnetic fields were separately measured.

From the recorded data, it results that the electric and magnetic field intensities are well within the limits of EU directories, except close to the massive open-air external transformer. Of course, the presence of workers in the nearness of these transformers is a rare event. Measurements were performed in the evening, where peak current values are absorbed by the city, mainly for public and private lighting. In any case, to get average field values, a Narda, model EHP- 50C , which allows storing data for 24 h, was placed in the working hall, obviously the critical point of the plant from the safety point of view. The peak values of the magnetic field B intensity, that is the most interesting parameter for possible biological and health effects of 50 Hz radiation, remained below 0.25 mT, even in the moments of the highest power request by the citizens (Figure 2). Values below 0.25 mT are universally considered safe even in the case of permanent living residence. During measurements there was a general blackout from 11:00 to 14:30 . This is an event which arises frequently-almost daily-in Gjirokastër.

Once finished electric and magnetic field intensity measurements over the whole range of used frequencies, an accurate measurement was performed in the hydroelectric power plant (22.5 MW) of Bistrice. The points where field intensity was measured are:

a) working hall, which contains desks and personal computers (PC);

b) room, close to the working hall, which is filled with a number of control panels;

c) transformer hall, crossed by nets of large-diameter cooper cables for high-intensity electrical current transmission;

d) all around the open-air voltage transformers;

e) inside the workers’ dining room.

In the working hall (a) the intensity of the magnetic field B was recorded for about 5 h (12:15-17:20) by using the Narda, model EHP-50C, sensor. The record (Figure 3) shows B values between 1.5 and 2.5 mT, well within the EU recommendation and Italian law limits. Note the increase of B intensity when the electric power demand increases for lighting.

In the control panel room (b), the intensity of the B field was found to vary from a minimum of 0.3 mT to a maximum of 3.15 mT, except close to the wall of separation from the transformer hall (c), where a B_max value of 20.5 mT was measured. It is clear that this relatively high value is not related to the control panels, but to the proximity of the high current cables in room (c). In fact, in room (c), where a transformer and a large number of cooper cables are present, B field intensities as high as 215 mT were measured. Workers were advised not to stay in this room without a specific task, and to leave immediately after the task accomplishment.

Very close (~ 50 cm ) to the large voltage transformers (d) placed outside in the back yard, B field intensities up to 630 mT were measured. Even in this case, workers seldom operate near power transformers. In any case, it was recommended to avoid standing in the nearby of transformers.

Into the workers’ dining room (e), the B field intensity does not exceed 0.04 mT, while the E field intensity does not exceed 2 V/m. Very low E and B intensity values were measured along the borders of the power plant and below the electric power line, too.

Finally, high-frequency (microwave) electric field E intensity was measured in the downtown of Devine. Here, on the roof of the Culture Palace , a mobile telephone base station was recently placed. Field measurements were made in a usually busy hour (13:47-13:53). During this 6 minute period, E intensity did not exceed 2 V/m (Figure 4), well below the EU and Italian limits.

For the first time measurements of the electromagnetic pollution were made in the city of Gjirocastër, Albania. The number and typology of e.m. sources in the city of Gjirokastër and its province was assessed. Field measurements were performed both in the ELF and in the radio- and micro-wave range of frequency.

Generally, the e.m. field intensities are well within the limits fixed by EU recommendations and Italian laws for long-term exposition. Of course, close to large facilities (power transformers, high current cables in the hydroelectric power plant of Bistrice) sometimes the B field intensity exceeds the EU regulation limit of 500 mT. In any case, these are not permanent working places and the inactive stay is prohibited.

This survey should help concerned Albanian people to take a realistic approach to “electrosmog” problems.

Work supported in part by the bilateral project between the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Education Ministry of the Republic of Albania “Analysis of the intensity of electric and magnetic fields at 50 Hz and of the electromagnetic field in the range 100 kHz - 3 GHz and of their origin”.