There is no adverse effect on human health from mobile tower emissions: TRAI

NEW DELHI: There is a public concern about possible health hazards from Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) exposures from mobile towers, which has led to active scientific debate among the research agencies across the globe, according to Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Advisor of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

He explained that the mobile tower radiations were nothing but radio waves. In any case, the government has implemented stringent norms to ensure that there is no adverse effect on human health from mobile tower emissions.

He also informed that this matter has been studied intensively and in various countries — after a detailed examination of the findings of these 25,000 plus studies there is no conclusive evidence of adverse effect of EMF radiation on human health.

During the meeting, TRAI’s Agneshwar Sen, Advisor gave a presentation on “Mobile Tower Emission and Human Health”.

He mentioned that lack of adequate number of mobile towers was one of the reasons for deteriorating quality of mobile services.

Regarding the tower-radiation fears, he explained that the electromagnetic radiation from the mobile towers and handsets do not carry enough energy to cause any harm to the human health.

He also informed that the guidelines for EMF radiations from BTS and mobile handsets in India are very stringent when compared to other countries, including developed.

He informed that various international organisations like WHO, HPA, SRSA, AGNIR, NIPH have stated, in no uncertain terms, that there is no convincing evidence linking EMF exposures with health effects in adults or children.

Representatives of the TERM Cell of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) explained the procedure followed by them to stringently monitor implementation of the government declares guidelines and how on a random basis they tested the mobile tower emissions.

Sen also informed that penalties were levied on operators in case the towers were not meeting the standards.

During the conclusion, it was re-stated that that emission from mobile towers has no harmful affect to human health and thus no cause of worry.

TRAI conducted an interactive meeting on Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) Radiation of Mobile in Pune. TRAI’s Sebichen Mathews gave introduction and the event was attended by senior officers of TRAI, TERM Cell officials, a number of state government officials, Resident Welfare Associations, NGOs, Consumer Forums, Builders, Academicians and Telecom Service Providers.