No Scientific Proof Of Radiation From Mobile Phone Towers: Central Government

New Delhi, 6th April 2022: Mobile towers are installed by Telecom Service Provider/ Infrastructure Providers to improve coverage and capacity of their networks subject to techno-commercial feasibility, and the rollout obligation. The Government has set up Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for planning and implementing various schemes to set up mobile towers and provide telecommunication services to people in the rural and remote areas of the country.

DoT follows the standards and best practices recommended by relevant International agencies/ organisations such as World Health Organization (WHO), International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), International Advisory Committee (IAC) on Electromagnetic Field (EMF), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and various Study Groups under ITU for monitoring global developments in this regard. The EMF emission norms in India are 10 times more stringent than that prescribed by ICNIRP. This obviates the need for having separate norms for different localities.

The Department of Telecommunications has issued advisory guidelines, dated 01.08.2013, to State Governments for the issue of clearance for the installation of mobile towers. These guidelines to State Governments are applicable to all areas including residential areas and do not place any restriction on the installation of mobile towers in densely populated areas.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was set up in 2010 to examine the effect of Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) emission from Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) and mobile phones, after examining various national and international studies on the environmental and health-related concerns due to EMF, had, inter-alia, indicated that most of the laboratory studies were unable to find a direct link between exposure to radiofrequency radiation and health; and the scientific studies as yet have not been able to confirm a cause and effect relationship between radiofrequency radiation and health.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Also, a committee, constituted by the High Court Allahabad including Members from IITs of Kharagpur, Kanpur, Delhi, Roorkee, Bombay and other scientific institutions of the country including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi, in their report submitted in 2014, has, inter-alia, noted – “ … On the basis of scientific evidence, studies and reports available, it has been found that there is no conclusive evidence about the stated dangers of EMF radiation from mobile BTS tower…”

The Committee has noted that “there are no conclusive evidence to establish any causal link between the effect of EMF radiation from BTS with biological effects described in cell models, animals or humans, and any possible resulting health effects.”

Further, a joint initiative was launched by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), wherein nineteen research have been conducted to study the possible impact of EMF exposure from mobile towers and handsets on life i.e. Humans, Living Organisms, Flora and Fauna and Environment. At present, the studies are non-conclusive.

Lt. Gen. Dr SP Kochhar, Director General, COAI appreciated the information shared by Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications and said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that connectivity is essential, more than ever before, for citizens and the telecom industry ensured the availability and continuity of telecom operations throughout the country for e-learning, through the various online platforms, attending classes/ offices from home, OTT services, using mobile phones for various payments and bookings. India holds the potential to lead the telecommunications technology sector across the globe. 5G technology will play a vital role to make India one of the most powerful democracies in the world.

With an increase in the pace of 5G deployment, it becomes pertinent to install a robust network of telecom infrastructure including mobile towers, small cells, fibre etc. Telecom towers are the backbone of Indian Mobile Communications. It is important to be addressed that the fear surrounding the theories about EMF radiations is uncorroborated. More towers are required for the realisation of the vision of Gati Shakti and PM’s Digital India’s.

The industry is working with government programs dedicated to expanding and improving telecommunication infrastructure and services across the country. The Govt. of India has defined some of the most stringent emission standards for mobile towers making India one of the few countries worldwide with the most stringent emission standards for mobile towers. The Indian telecom industry follows norms that are 10 times stricter than what has been prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO. DoT continuously monitors the EMF emission levels from towers across India and ensures compliance with emission norms across the country through its field. All telecom service providers are required to ensure the radiation from mobile towers (BTSs) is within prescribed safe limits.

LSA also conducts physical audits of sites by selecting them randomly and testing the power of the available EMF signals at different probable locations near the site. There is a need to bust the myth about the health effects of Electromagnetic Field Radiation (EMR) exposure from diverse EMR sources especially Mobile BTS antennae and mobile phones. Therefore, one must rely on the scientific data that EMF radiation from the mobile towers is safe.’’

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