Citizens need not to worry of Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation released from mobile towers
Gurgaon : Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation which were always considered hazardous to health and specially the heart, now have got some relief. As the electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation released from mobile towers as the limits adopted in the country account for all biological effects of radiation, claimed VK Roy, director, Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring(TERM).
He further added scientific evidence which suggests EMF radiation was unlikely to cause any health hazard if its intensity was below 0.45watt/sqm, which was considered safe by the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).
"DoT has already laid down strict precautionary norms for Radio Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions), which is 10 times more stringent than the limits prescribed by ICNIRP and WHO. Our EMF norms are stricter than what is followed by many developed nations. Further, the government has taken adequate steps to ensure that telecommunications service providers strictly adhere to the prescribed norms," he added.
Roy was speaking at a programme on 'electromagnetic field emissions and mobile towers' organised by the DoT in the city on Saturday.
MCG commissioner V Umashankar said such awareness programmes would help remove myths. "People should understand the facts and myths, which are largely based on unsubstantiated reports and hinder progress," he said.
Stressing on the need for bridging the communication gap among the DoT, local bodies, public and other stakeholders, he announced the formation of a district-level committee for speedier disposal of grievances relating to mobile towers in Gurgaon following the DoT guidelines.
Deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, Hardeep Sigh, on the other hand, attributed the increasing number of complaints to wrong perceptions. "Most of the complaints are lodged due to lack of clarity. Such awareness sessions should be conducted in a regular basis to clear such misconceptions," he added.
NK Chhoker, deputy director general of TERM, said: "Strict monitoring and enforcement mechanism has been put in place by the DoT for EMF-related compliances in Delhi NCR area. One may face penalty and/or closure if found to be violating the prescribed emission norms."
Chhoker added that mobile towers in the Delhi NCR area were safe and TERM Cell was fully committed to ensure compliance of the guidelines to ensure safety of citizens.
