Artificial radiation pollution in the Anthropocene: Human causality and responsibility

Abstract

Man is the primary offender of almost all changes and pollutants occurring in the Anthropocene. Consequently, he bears responsibility for the effects of these factors on people’s health and life. In addition to numerous pollutants in the human living environment, artificial radiation pollution is an invisible and rapidly spreading factor to which people are exposed. It can be assumed that with the current rate of population growth in cities, the level of this pollution will increase. The article, based on GIS tools and algorithms, involved three levels. The macro analysis covered 1066 cities with a population over 100,000 worldwide with a particular focus on Europe. The spatial analysis of all 1013 cities in Poland focused on the distribution of base stations emitting artificial radiation. The micro analysis involved the distribution of sensitive areas, meaning facilities related to the long-term presence of children in a city with over 800,000 inhabitants (Kraków, Poland) in comparison with the location of artificial radiation emitters. There are 44,848 base stations in Poland of which approximately 55.8% are located in cities. The analysis showed worrying trends from the point of view of rational spatial development. The large number of base stations combined with highly urbanised space are the reason for spatial conflicts. Our results are relevant to national policies and authorities to develop a worldwide strategy for the planning of base stations, with particular attention to sensitive areas. We encourage a discussion that recognises the need for comprehensive spatial planning and the placement of EMF-emitting base stations within already developed areas containing sensitive areas, which in certain respects can be considered a form of pollution for human living space and may lead to unforeseen, irreversible consequences in the future.