In Situ Assessment of EMF Exposure Across Urban Districts of Samsun, Türkiye

This study offers a comprehensive in situ measurement and assessment of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in the central urban districts of Samsun, Türkiye, focusing on low-frequency magnetic flux density (BLF) and radiofrequency electric field strength (ERF). Drive-test measurements were performed across Atakum, İlkadım, and Canik districts to capture spatial variability and identify primary exposure sources. Band-selective analysis revealed that downlink (DL) transmissions are the main contributors to total ERF exposure, indicating that base station emissions dominate the exposed ERF levels in the environment. Six-minute averaged BLF and ERF values account for temporal fluctuations and confirm that exposure remains well below recommended limits. A one-way ANOVA test indicated that the differences in exposure levels among the three districts were not statistically significant. These findings provide a detailed spatial evaluation of EMF exposure in a large metropolitan region, demonstrating the value of integrated BLF and ERF measurements for environmental monitoring.