Experts, including a cancer surgeon, at a public outreach programme organised by the Department of Telecommunications on electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions and mobile towers on Thursday tried to dispel the ‘myths and unfounded fears’ about mobile tower radiations.
On EMF emission studies undertaken by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dileep Damodaran, surgical oncologist, pointed out that “to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low-level electro magnetic fields is harmful to human health.” As many as 50 national authorities and eight international organisations are involved in the EMF project of WHO.
“Since 1996, they [experts] have been reviewing scientific information to provide sound and objective answers to public concerns on the possible hazards of low-levels of EMF,” Dr. Damodaran said.
Delivering the keynote address, C. Sunitha, Deputy Director General, Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring Cell (TERM), Kerala, said WHO, after examining 25,000 studies across the world in the past 30 years, had concluded that scientific knowledge in the area of EMF radiation from mobile towers was extensive enough despite the feeling among some people that more research needed to be done.
She also highlighted the importance of mobile connectivity, besides emphasising the need for cultivating scientific temper. “Our EMF norms are mush stricter than what is followed by many developed nations. Besides, the Centre has taken adequate steps to ensure that telecommunication service providers strictly adhere to the prescribed norms,” Ms. Sunitha said.
If any base transceiver station (BTS) is found to have violated EMF norms, action will be initiated including a penalty of ₹10 lakh per incident and closure of the BTS site, she added.
T. Sreenivasan, Director, TERM, Kerala, said EMF radiation from mobile towers were below the safety limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Protection and WHO.
Speaking on the occasion, District Collector U.V. Jose said: “There is a misconception among rural population on EMF emissions. The installation of towers should be allowed in their respective localities.”
C. Janardanan, member, DTC; K.C. Joseph, former Additional Director of Panchayats, and P. Satisan, advocate, High Court of Kerala, also spoke.
