KOCHI:
DoT Kerala LSA (Field Unit of Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India) organised an “Awareness Workshop on EMF Radiation” in the city, on 30 March 2021. The session was organised as part of ongoing public advocacy programme to dispel myths around EMF radiation and address unfounded fears of citizens by presenting credible scientific evidence.
The key speakers at the event were Sr. DDG, DoT, DDG, DoT, Kerala LSA and Dr. Suresh Attili, Medical Oncologist, Continental Hospital, Hyderabad. The speakers addressed concerns of citizens while also debunking myths and misinformation related to health hazards connected with radiation from mobile towers. The workshop was attended by government officials, general public, residents welfare associations, students, doctors, telecom service providers, infrastructure providers and other officials.
Dr. P.T. Mathew, Sr. DDG, DoT, Kerala LSA in his keynote address highlighted that the frequency of the electromagnetic signal used in mobile communications is in the harmless non-ionising spectrum, much like the television and radio signals. Studies have been conducted by World Health Organisation and other scientific bodies and till date no conclusive evidence have been found to indicate harmful effects of tower radiations. However, adopting zero tolerance approach towards health of Indian citizens, Government of India has adopted very stringent norms by allowing just 1/10th of tower radiation as compared to international standards. India has adopted 0.45W/m2 compared to 4.5W/m2 stipulated by ICNIRP as the maximum permissible radiation limits. These norms have been arrived at after extensive study by team of experts from IIT, AIIMS, ICMR and DoT etc. Therefore, there is no harm at all in installing telecom towers in residential areas and in vicinity of schools, hospitals and place of worship etc.
S. Gopalan, Sr. DDG (Compliance) in his address stated that before installation of new telecom towers, telecom service providers have to submit details of proposed upcoming radiation from new tower to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in Kerala. DoT Kerala examines the details and only when proposed radiation is within the prescribed limits, acknowledgement certificates are issued. After this, local bodies issue building permit certificate for tower installation. Apart from this, mechanism of State Telecom Committee and District Telecom Committees have also been created to resolve and remove misconceptions regarding tower radiations.
He further told that Department of Telecommunications has also uploaded detailed information on this matter on its website www.dot.gov.in. Further, DoT has created a compliance mechanism to ensure that radiation limits from telecom towers are within limits. All telecom service providers have to give periodic certificates to this effect and DoT field offices have been mandated to audit 10% BTS every year. As a part of this, DoT Kerala, till 28.02.2021 has tested 46151 out of 88366 BTS and found that all towers are within the permitted radiation levels. Apart from this, DoT has created a portal www.tarangsanchar.gov.in wherein there is a provision for the General Public to see the radiation level of towers in their vicinity by entering their pincode. They can also request for measurement of radiation levels of a site by DoT on payment of prescribed fee.
Dr. Suresh Attili, Medical Oncologist, Continental Hospital, Hyderabad said “After extensive scientific research, it has been concluded that there is no connection between mobile tower radiation and human health. Even countries, where the norms are 10 times less strict than India, have not reported any adverse impact on human health from mobile tower radiation. Following extensive investigations, the WHO too has concluded that there is no risk to human health from mobile tower radiation.
During Q&A session, answering the queries of participants, the speakers clarified that Network Connectivity is authoritative for a connected future and a healthy infrastructure will support the advancement of many technologies, which in turn would enhance the way we all live and work. The level of exposure near a cell phone tower typically is many times lower than the exposure from using a cell phone. DoT and Telecom Operators are fully committed and equipped to ensure compliance of guidelines. These guidelines, which have been designed to safeguard the concerns of citizens on EMF exposure norms, are adhered to in order to safeguard our beloved citizens.
Mobile radiation check: Type *#07# on mobile to check mobile-specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR value, which is the radiation emitted by a cell phone, will have to be displayed on mobile handsets. The 1.6 watts/kg averaged over a mass of 1 gram human tissue are only permitted to be manufactured or imported in India for the domestic market.
