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In order to dispel fears about the effects of the Electromagnetic Field (EMF), the Cellular Association of India (COAI) brought under one roof experts from various fields like–oncology and radiology--to express their views on mobile radiation.
In the expert speak video and communication series, ‘Mobile networks and Public Health’ brought out by COAI, Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee, Oncologist, Columbia University, and Pulitzer prize winner, said: “If there is a link between Electromagnetic Field (EMF) and cancer, I think it must be occurring through a mechanism that lies outside anything that we know about the standard mechanisms of carcinogenesis. One would have to invent a novel mechanism of carcinogenesis in order to understand how radiation in that part of the spectrum can cause cancer.”
The rising penetration of mobile phones in India has given rise to concerns regarding the public health and the EMF emissions from the antennas on the cell towers and mobile phones on human health. As a result, myths have
been floated that the EMF emissions lead to health hazards. But independent scientific studies and researches across the globe led by WHO, have negated all such fears of health effects from mobile tower antennae and phones, said Rajan S Mathews, director general, COAI.
COAI, major telecom equipment manufactures and network service providers in India have collated the views of experts from various disciplines to dispel the various ‘myths related to mobile emissions.
The experts from various relevant disciplines such as oncology, radiology, molecular and physical science and World Health Organization (WHO) have been brought together on a common platform as part of the series ‘Mobile Networks and Public Health.”
“We have been using X-ray radiations for more than 115 years, and we still haven’t been able to establish the relationship of cancer and radiation to any great extent. And the mobile tower radiation is inherently a type of radiation that we believe does not produce any kind of significant harm to humans”, said Dr Bhavin Jankharia, Mumbai-based radiologist and president of Indian Radiology & Imaging Association.
Mathews added: “Over the last 20 years, the mobile industry has been successful in putting India on the global map, making us the second largest telecom market in the world. This has also brought in concerns about the electromagnetic field with regards to cell towers and handsets. The video and communication series ‘Mobile
networks and Public Health’ will put forth the scientific and safety regime adopted by the government and industry.”
The first part of the series features professor R V Hosur-senior professor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR); Pulitzer prize winner Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee, Dr Rakesh Jalali of Radiation Oncology and Convener, Neuro Oncology Group, Tata Medical Centre; Professor Michael Repacholi-Chairman Emeritus of ICNIRP and Dr Rajesh Dixit-Department of Epidemiology, Urology (DMG), Tata Medical Centre.
COAI has been working with the Government of India, industry associations, medical practitioners, academicians and activists to dispel myths about adverse effects of cell phones and mobile towers.