With rising apprehensions about radiation emitted from mobile phones and towers with their increased usage, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) organised a conference on “Myths and truths about electro-magnetic emissions” here on Monday.
Participating in the conference, G. Satyanarayana Reddy, Deputy Director General, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), said that as on July 31 this year, Bangalore Rural and Urban had 24,131 base transreceiver stations (BTS). Of these, 4,916 had been tested by the department and none of them were found flouting guidelines. Comparing the radiation from cellphones to other equipment, Vikram Tiwathia, associate director general, COAI, said that mobile phone radiation was non-ionising, which means it has no threats of causing cancer or genetic disorders.
Citing a study conducted in the U.S., Mr. Tiwathia said: “From 1977 to 2006, there was rampant increase in the number of mobile phone users. When the cancer registry data was checked in the hospitals, the number was still on the level line. Misleading information is spreading panic.”
