Finally, radiation norms for mobiles, towers
Policy May Restrict Cell Towers Near Schools, Housing Clusters ….Joji Thomas Philip & Gireesh Chandra Prasad NEW DELHI
CONCERNED about recent media reports that prolonged cellphone usage can lead to cancer? Even as recent studies in UK have warned that mobile phone usage could kill more people than smoking, India is finally set to unveil a policy which will specify safety guidelines to limit public exposure to radio waves from base stations and mobile handsets.
The policy, to be called guidelines for Complying with Limits for Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, is likely to ban telcos from putting up cellular towers near schools, hospitals and the rooftops of large residential buildings, among other measures. Its being finalised by the department of telecoms technical arm, Telecom Engineering Centre, in consultation with the two cellular associations Cellular Operators Association of India and Association of Unified Service Providers of India and also with Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association and Indian Cellular Association. We are very close to finalising the policy. It will be unveiled soon, COAI director general TV Ramachandran told ET. We have had several meetings on limiting public exposure to radiation from telecom services. The fine print of the policy is yet to be finalised, said another official.
The guidelines assume critical importance considering recent developments in Europe where many governments are considering adopting new norms that are more stringent than those specified by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, an international independent scientific organisation that provides guidance and advice on the health hazards of non-ionizing radiation exposure.
ITS GUIDELINES are endorsed by the World Health Organization and have been adopted by the most international telecom majors. It must, however, be pointed out that India has not adopted the ICNIRP norms. Earlier this year, the French government had warned against the dangers associated with the use of mobile phones, especially by kids, while others like Germany, the UK and the European Environment Agency have asked citizens to reduce exposure to mobile handsets.
European authorities sound alarm on radiation
ITS GUIDELINES are endorsed by the World Health Organization and have been adopted by the most international telecom majors. It must, however, be pointed out that India has not adopted the ICNIRP norms. Earlier this year, the French government had warned against the dangers associated with the use of mobile phones, especially by kids, while others like Germany, the UK and the European Environment Agency have asked citizens to reduce exposure to mobile handsets.
When announced, the policy will also ensure that India is among the select countries that have guidelines in place to provide protection against alleged side-effects on health from radiation. Mr Ramachandran also said the final policy would be more reasonable when compared to the draft policy which was unveiled late last year. The draft guidelines stated that handset adverts should not feature children and pregnant women. It also proposed that children under 16 years be discouraged from using mobile phones while adding that setting up telecom base stations within the premises of schools and hospitals may be avoided because children and patients are more susceptible to electromagnetic fields.
The tissues of children below 16 years are tender and are, therefore, likely to be more affected by the use of mobile phones, TECs draft guidelines added.
Another contentious issue was that the draft policy had mandated that all handset manufacturers specify the specific absorption rate (SAR) the amount of radio waves (radio frequency energy) absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone in the handset screen menu. Handset makers had opposed this, saying they already provide the phones SAR value in the user manual accompanying the handset. Sources who were part of the meeting between TEC and industry executives said the final decision on this issue was yet to be taken.
Every cellphone sold officially anywhere in the world has a unique SAR value, but unlike the US and European Union, India currently does not mandate that handset makers declare the SAR level. Both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and EU have stringent safety standards in place on cellphone radiation levels cellphones cant be sold officially in the US if their SAR level exceeds 1.6 watts per kg (w/kg) while in Europe, manufacturers must ensure that the maximum SAR level of a cellphone does not exceed 2 w/kg the safety limit fixed by the EU council.