The
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of World
Health Organization (WHO), in its press release dated 31 May 2011 has
classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly
carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for
glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone
use.
Subsequently, WHO in its Fact Sheet No. 193 of June 2011, has stated
that there are some indications of an increased risk of glioma for those
who reported the highest 10% of cumulative hours of cell phone use,
although there was no consistent trend of increasing risk with greater
duration of use. The researchers concluded that biases and errors limit
the strength of these conclusions and prevent a causal interpretation.
Based largely on these data, IARC has classified radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), a
category used when a causal association is considered credible, but when
chance, bias or confounding cannot be ruled out with reasonable
confidence.
WHO has further stated that a large number of studies have been
performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose
a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been
established as being caused by mobile phone use. WHO will conduct a
formal risk assessment of all studied health outcomes from
radiofrequency fields exposure by 2012.
As per the existing policy for installation of towers, Wireless
Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of DoT issues siting clearance for
installation of mobile towers for each and every site from the point of
view of interference with other wireless users, aviation hazards and
obstruction to any other existing microwave links. Further, the licensee
company is also required to obtain the permission from the concerned
local bodies / municipal authorities.
Further, DoT has adopted the International Commission on
Non-ionization Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for limiting
reference levels of Electromagnetic radiation from Mobile towers and
incorporated the requirement in Access Service Licenses vide amendment
dated 4 November 2008.
DoT, vide letter dated 8th April 2010, has directed all Cellular
Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS)/Unified Access Service (UAS) licensees
for compliance of the reference limits/ levels prescribed by ICNIRP by
way of self certification of their Base Transmitting Station (BTS) for
meeting the Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) radiations norms. All new BTS
sites start radiating only after self certificate has been submitted to
relevant Telecom Enforcement, Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells of
DoT.
The TERM Cell tests up to 10% of new BTS sites randomly at its
discretion. Additionally, the BTS sites against which there are public
complaints, are also being tested by TERM Cell. If a site fails to meet
the Electro Magnetic Radiation criterion, there is a provision of levy
of a penalty of Rs. 5 lakh per BTS. Service providers must meet the
criterion within one month of the report of TERM cell in such cases,
after which the site is to be shut down.
With regard to mobile handsets, DoT has also adopted ICNIRP
guidelines imposing basic restrictions in terms of SAR (Specific
Absorption Rate) value limiting to 2 W/Kg (averaged over 10g tissue) in
the frequency range of 10 MHz to 10 GHz and have taken following steps
for compliance of SAR value for mobile phones:
(i) Indigenous manufacturers of mobile handsets have been instructed
to comply with ICNIRP guidelines and furnish self-certificate.
(ii) Mobile handsets manufacturers have been instructed to indicate
the level of radiation on the product itself and to clearly communicate
the potential danger of mobile phone radiation and exposure.
(iii) To regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile phone, Bureau
of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame standards for all
mobile phones under BIS Act 1986.
Further, based on media reports and public concerns, DoT constituted a
committee on 24 August 2010 consisting of representatives from DoT,
Indian Council of Medical Research (Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare), Ministry of Environment and Forest and Department of
Biotechnology to examine the various studies on the effect of radiation
from mobile tower and mobile phones. The report of the committee so
received was placed on DoT website for stakeholders’ comments. The
report of the Committee is being examined by the Government for
appropriate action in the matter.
All major manufacturers publish the SAR value for mobile phones in
the user manual and on its company website. Further, no cases have been
reported to DoT regarding mobile handsets having radiation more than the
limits prescribed by ICNIRP.
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