MM: Dangers of radiation from cell phone towers: April 06, 2009

 

A couple concerned about the effects of radiation from a cell phone tower proposed on the terrace of their building in Khar, took on 21 other residents and stopped the tower from coming up. But the managing committee, who were looking forward to the society being richer by Rs 6 lakh per month as rent on the tower, has asked the couple to prove the health problems they had cited as a reason for refusal. The committee also says it is determined to see that the tower comes up.

In January, the managing committee of Kailash Building on S V Road informed residents that property tax for the building had not been paid and that they would have to pay a penalty. It was suggested that residents look for other sources of revenue like rent from a cell phone tower. They had been offered Rs six lakh as rent for the towers.

The Sukhija family, who live on the sixth floor, had opposed the tower right at the outset, for health reasons. Puja Sukhija who runs an environment group said that her husband Vijay had various health complications like osteoporosis (brittle bones), angioedema (a swelling, similar to hives, but beneath the skin rather than on the surface) and electrosensitivity (a condition where people experience medical symptoms that they believe are caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields). Worried that radiation from the towers could worsen his condition, Puja opposed the tower.

“I suggested that they look at other alternatives for revenue. So, I was surprised when the equipment for the tower landed up in March,” said Sukhija.

The couple then approached the Khar Residents Association and also complained to the BMC. Last week, the building proposals department of H municipal ward informed the couple that they had not given any permission for the tower.

Anil Joseph of the Khar Residents Association said municipal rules state that the permission of every single top floor resident is required before cell towers are installed on the terrace.

Anil Karekar of the managing committee said the Sukhijas should produce a medical certificate to prove ill health. “21 of the 22 families have agreed to the tower. We are in the process of getting approval from the BMC,” said Karekar. “At least 15 buildings in the vicinity have such towers. If there was a ban, we would not have thought of
allowing such antennas. We will try to get the permissions.”

A representative of the mobile service company said, “If some residents raise health concerns, the housing society has to take care of that. We do not force buildings to rent out space for our towers. But we insist that the building’s managing committee give us all permissions in writing. In this case, we will wait till all permissions
are obtained by the housing society,” the official said.

Some time ago, after a proposal to install cell towers at Sir JJ Hospital, the institution’s dean consulted its radiology, pharmacology and neurology experts to find out the possible ill effects of such an installation. The hospital was told that the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and the Telecommunication Engineering Centre, a technical wing of the Department of Telecommunications did not recommend setting up such towers on school or hospital campuses.

A measurement of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) done by Mumbai Mirror with the help of a Delhi-based company of magnetic radiation (EMR) levels emitted by cell towers in the city showed alarming levels of radiation. High EMR levels are known to cause brain damage and heart problems, apart from raising other health issues.

 

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