Coverage in Israel - Several cancer cases - May 5, 2013

Following has been translated to English - http://www.tapuz.co.il/Forums2008/ForumMaavaron.aspx?ForumId=269

"Machine gun on the roof": antennas on the roof, the neighbors die from cancer

No less than 17 people living next door to a number of buildings in a street in Kiryat Haim, were or had died from cancer in recent years. Residents claim that all stems from nine cellular antennas stands over a Mapam nearby. Neighbors: "We will fight even at the jail, at least we survive"

Living on the roof of a house in Kiryat Haim Western Mapam were eight years ago cellular antennas. now no longer clear how many antennas there, because all of them were covered with a sheet of tin. from the street it looks like another floor was added to the structure.

H's mother lives close to Mapam, probably too close. When he learned last week that she has a brain tumor, his world turned upside down. Their father is already lost as a result of cancer, and the family around the house this terrible disease has become a regular guest, every Once in another neighborhood. Overall we counted 17 cases, and it is probably only a partial figure, relying only on the people who talk about it. statistical conclusion you can draw your own.

Tenant cancer patient:'' I ate it, but there are children here, shame on them'' Illustration photo: Flash 90

"At first there were antenna or two," says H.. "Over the years added more and more. Has there now at least nine antennas, but you never know exactly how that covered them. Lots of neighbors around the hospital all kinds of diseases but Our main concern is cancer. Dad died of cancer and my mother is now in a hospital and they really not alone here, it has really moved. "

How is it discovered?

"For a long time she was suffering from headaches. She was on medication and was going through it, but when nothing has been no help she herself told us: 'I have cancer in the head, now she is in the hospital. We are eight brothers and family very connected and it hit hard for us ".

H. speaks quietly and seems powerless. He spends a long time alongside his mother in the hospital, but formed in his heart a decision: "We decided now to go to war in this and we will not give up easily. Neighbor who lives on the floor above my mother died from the disease. Well at the Opposite died since, and next door a year suffer from this disease, which spread her whole body.

"We want to bring checks Mcsfino information that we do not believe anyone anymore. My brother is a lawyer and help in legal terms, we went to all the neighbors and do what is necessary, because no one else will do it for us. There are neighbors who want to burn the antenna but I do not want to break the law. "

"We're running out here"

Q's mother lives next door to eighth. Also is fighting cancer with all her strength, and she points finger: "I hundred percent sure there is a connection between these antennas and my disease," says S. weakly. "It's not just me I got sick, here's our neighbor died, the neighbor's son, a young man, sick. Now also another neighbor grabbed it."

What made ​​you think it antennas?

"What a professor one came to ask me questions in the hospital and she asked if antennas near the house and how I am close to Kishon and enterprises. This antenna is so great that there is no doubt that its fluorescence is strong. Anyone who rents them to the roof interested only in money. We slowly - slowly going and end here. neighbor occurred two years ago and within three months of being eaten and left. What are they waiting I do not understand. "

What would you like to happen?

"I want to lower the antennas. I ate it, as they say, but there's a lot of kids, a lot of young people, shame on them. Getting one silver and one gets cancer. It should not be that way. Impossible to continue like this.

"I suffer from lymphoma difficult. My immune system no longer exists, it is impossible to analyze. Every six months I get six rounds of chemotherapy to the immune system even survive. I most of the time at home. My situation is not good, I was in pain and I got to the point where I need to use medical marijuana to not suffer, I will never smoked a cigarette and now I smoke weed. well it lasted an hour and then back pains. "

What can you do against the antennas?

"I did not do the link in the beginning but I've seen many places people are fighting antennas these and it made me realize that, but I have no strength to walk and run and make war. I hope that now the younger generation cares about the area would make this war. Municipality do not mind people here, The government does not do anything and they only care about money. "

There you angry about the situation?

"I get angry sometimes., But what it will help me if I'm angry. Whether anyone would care of us used to come and remove the antennae of these, but if they do not fuss and mess nothing will happen. I think abandoning us here. Whether the municipality would not want to approve it was not confirmed., but apparently it worth it. "

"I ask every day when my turn"

S. retired recently. He is a man interested in environment and care about what happens. The danger of antennas is warned for a long time, but now he is broke and Segev funds to take action: "I ask myself every day, 'When's my turn?', Says S. angrily," With this situation, 17 people in all ill patients is so small, so I ask myself when my turn. But I'm not waiting in line, I will work against this if we can not do it legally then there is also disgusted illegally. But these antennas need to kick out. When I see this thing and 17 people are in front of me and disappear - no other choice. "

Yona Yahav. One of the residents: "I invite him to come and live here" Photo: Alex Rosekovsky

Are you sure antennae are the culprits in?

"Street cornflower was a block with 32 families, of which 20 people developed Alzheimer's. Tried to tell all kinds of stories that plants, tanks., But it's nearest building antennas placed near the gas station at the entrance to the street, and also that relative to other buildings, it is far tanks. Tanks are here has been for many years and the story began only after the antenna, so that will tell me stories. I do not believe tests done here, if at all. they then coordinate the test with the companies and they are preparing accordingly. I want to be present at the examination. I want to bring someone not connected not independent and did not coordinate with them and then find out the truth. "

You think the city should enlist help?

"We do not have a municipality. Yona Yahav handles Haifa beautiful but look where incoming stable. People here invest in their homes and buildings look pretty but outside trash can., But I prefer not clear to me and not to worry for anything but my cheeks, I want to live. I feel called We have here a machine gun on the roof of this building and shoot us all and no one responds. I invite him to come and live here.'s see what his reaction would be, or transfer the antenna near his house. Maybe then he will feel that it is attached to it. "

Why do you stay?

"The houses closest to the antenna leased. People do not want to live there. No problem to move but who are to be deported where good for me. I was born here in the complex and not throw me away. Few months ago wanted to put on the street Bussel antennas. Neighbors objected and the objection was made. Why They did and we did not? "

"Russian roulette games with us"

Perhaps there could antennae that were fought before?

"We warned and wrote letters before but nothing helped. Faces the municipality, we went there and we got stuck in the wall. Called Yona Yahav come and see how we live here. He arrived, but the opening of the beach proper, where investing and everything looks beautiful. Way was it attractive to come. appreciate our lives a dog's life in this country. I was born and raised here, I made an army, I did reserve, raised children here. has a family abroad, I can go but I do not want to. Why? For a scavenger for money selling my life?

"Even in Kiryat Bialik was a case set for antennas, but where the mayor intervened. Why not here, why? Because most people here are not interested and do not know to speak? They do not realize that when they ignore or speak they shoot themselves and their children. We die here, not only radiation but a lack of concern. question asked here is who's next. This 17 cases, four of whom died and that only those who speak and I know. has people who speak and closed within themselves. then Describe yourself how the picture looks real. "



Haifa Municipality. "Supports the position of the residents' Photo: Max Beilinson

So what do you do?

"I tell you very frankly. Unless something happens, and soon, I'm taking the law into their own hands. Then my life will end, then put me in jail but at least those who stay here enjoy. Pekiin name antenna, within half an hour got all the men of the village with ropes and knocked down the antenna and policemen were beaten there. did not matter who was where they would fight with him. they do not see a meter, they want to live with their mountain air.

"Here we want to breathe the sea but put us poison. Individuals are afraid to take action, instead of fearing for their life. Then if they enter with legal proceedings, they have the money and power to drag it on and on, and it would be another seven years and now people here are going . playing Russian roulette with us. "

Haifa Municipality: we fought against the antennas

Haifa Municipality said in response: "Haifa Municipality supports the position of the residents and is the only standing in front of the struggle to remove the antenna above the roof of the house: In 2009, the municipality issued a demolition order to the facility access, placed on the roof of the building. Cellular company waged a long legal battle against the municipality to cancel the order But the court ruled in 2010 that the order was lawful and destroy 'approach facility.

"In response to the court's ruling, the Company filed a request for the establishment of three 'bite' on the roof of the building. Establishment of antennas approved by the Commissioner of radiation levels at the Ministry of the Environment is the only competent professional authority on the subject. Despite the approval of the Ministry of Environmental Protection municipality refused to approve the establishment of the 'sting' and determined that there is no place to place a cellular antenna on the roof of a building in a residential neighborhood and find an alternate location for the establishment antenna. rejected this position in light of the local planning and building the company's request for a permit.

"Against this decision, the Company applied the appeals committee of the Ministry of Interior. Appeals Committee received in -10.6.2012 the appeal and ordered the local committee, issue a building permit without further delays.

"It should be noted that the Haifa Municipality has set a unique procedure whereby Israel is not satisfied with the position of the Ministry of Environment but takes any request to place the union reference antenna of Environmental Protection. Procedure was praised in the State Comptroller. Again, the application was forwarded to the Cities Association and representative Dr. Mona Naama municipality supported the establishment of the antenna resistance. This regard, the Appeals Committee determined: With all due respect to Dr. landscapes is not clear how the Commission can rely on local opinion when the position of the Officer, the competent authority to decide the matter, is different. "

Despite repeated requests by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environmental Protection, not received any response from them.

Doctors report 50% hearing loss among cellphone users

Times of India - May 13, 2013

MUMBAI: Excessive use of cellphones can cause the deadliest of health hazards among users, from hearing loss to neuro-endocrine disruption, hormonal imbalance and cancer.

Over the last decade, cellular phone usage has grown exponentially with the introduction of new communication systems and newer and smaller phone models. But it is a mark of how much people use cellphones these days, that doctors report as much as a 50% hearing loss among users.

Dr Divya Prabhat, ENT surgeon with Bhatia and Wadia hospitals, said he had been getting many patients who complain of pain in the ears and even hearing loss.

"The most common complaint is that after they hang up, the ears get hot. Many patients come with complaints of tinnitus, where there is a buzzing in the ears. This also results in irritability and lack of concentration," he said.

But the most serious ENT problem is hearing loss. "I recently got a 45-year-old patient who had 30% hearing loss in her right ear, as she would be on phone all the time. When I told her to talk on the phone with the left ear, three months later she came with a 50% hearing loss in the left ear," Dr Prab-hat said.

These are temporary threshold shifts, he said, meaning that these problems can be cured, when the habit is changed early. But if a person continues to use the phone excessively, it may turn into a permanent problem.

Prolonged cellphone radiation is said to cause cancer. In a study published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India in 2008, endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi, along with other doctors, had shown how electromagnetic rays from a cellphone cause neuro-endocrine disruption. "Apart from cancer caused by radiation, the cell phone culture increases sedentary work habits. It also reduces sleep time. This causes blood pressure, diabetes, and cardio-vascular diseases," said Dr Joshi.

Doctors say the gadget addiction also leads to hormonal imbalance. "Hormones like endocrine and melatonine are disrupted big time by excessive cell phone usage. There may be a discharge of negative hormones because of anticipation of a negative call. This tends to increase stress in a person," said Dr Joshi.

It is good, therefore, to decrease talking over the mobile phone, and use a landline or texting, said Dr Joshi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Doctors-report-50-hearing-loss-among-cellphone-users/articleshow/20021776.cms

New DoT guidelines allow mobile towers at all locations

New DoT guidelines allow mobile towers at all locations - (A disaster for common people)

Indian Express - May 11 2013

Service providers may soon be able to install mobile towers at any location, irrespective of land use. The department of telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new set of guidelines effective June 1 that run contrary to a BMC draft policy of last year that proposed banning new towers on hospital and school premises.
Minister of state for communications and IT and shipping Milind Deora said, "Since September 2012, the norms have been made 10 times more stringent. These are model guidelines, based on which we want all state governments, municipalities and panchayats to frame policies on structural safety and permits. We don't want municipalities or states to get into the health safety aspect as we have already formed a group to do an India-centric study. In model guidelines, we have given minimum space distance, we want states/municipalities to look at that. We also want them to focus on structural safety, stability, aesthetics and other issues."

Earlier this year, towers atop Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai were deactivated citing a 2010 BMC policy that did not permit such infrastructure on top of hospitals and schools.
Several resident associations in South Mumbai have been campaigning aggressively on the issue claiming radiation from towers atop buildings was affecting health of citizens.
A challenge to a Rajasthan High Court order to remove mobile phone towers near schools and hospitals is being heard in Supreme Court.

The DoT guidelines reiterate that telecom enforcement resource and monitoring (TERM) cells would deal with all radiation-related technical details.
As per the guidelines, telecom operators will have to establish that all general public areas where mobile towers have been installed are in safe electromagnetic field exposure limits at peak traffic time or adhere to safe distances specified.

"The revised guidelines are a welcome relief and result of continuous interaction between DoT, state governments and the industry. It moves in the right direction of allowing the industry to grow with appropriate safety standards in place. DoT has instructed all states to make regulations on a par with the guidelines. This way, the industry will not have to deal with different regulations on location of cellphone towers. Safety norms established by DoT are for everyone. Hence, the notion of excluding schools and hospitals is inappropriate," said Rajan Mathews, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-dot-guidelines-allow-mobile-towers-at-all-locations/1114418/

DoT, TERM cells sole authorities for norms - Indian Express

Aril 28, 2013 - Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dot-term-cells-sole-authorities-for-norms/1108705/

DoT, TERM cells sole authorities for norms
Mihika Basu : Mumbai, Sun Apr 28 2013, 03:22 hrs
WHILE residents' associations are meeting in Mumbai Sunday to push for better norms governing mobile phone tower antennas, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reiterated that DoT and the Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cells are sole authorities responsible for enforcing norms as well as compliance with respect to cellphone towers and EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation levels.

DoT officials said one must not view cellphone towers as sources of income and asked state government officials if they can have uniform taxes. This was communicated in a recent meeting between department officials, industry representatives and state government officials for a fresh round of consultations on draft guidelines issued by DoT in 2012.

The guidelines say that in respect of rooftop towers with multiple antennas, rooftop usage for longer duration should be discouraged. It says keeping public interest in mind, there is a need of regular interaction between TERM cell of DoT and state/district administration under district collector. It has proposed to set up state and district telecom committees for reviewing telecom infrastructure related issues at state/district level.

The guidelines say "all radiation related technical details are dealt with by TERM cells".

The draft rules talk about single window clearance for telecom service provider/infrastructure provider by the local body/state.

Such instructions assume significance as BMC had sought suggestions on a draft policy, issued last year, which proposes ban on new cellphone towers on hospital and school premises. Also, the Rajasthan High Court order directing the removal of mobile phone towers installed overhead or in the vicinity of schools and hospitals is being heard in the Supreme Court.

"To clear confusion, it was re-emphasised during the meeting that DoT/TERM cell is the single point regarding compliance with EMF regulations and EMF related issues," said sources.

Cellphone tower operators have been instructed to put up appropriate signages at the towers.

It was also communicated that for towers near airports, no separate approval is required from local airport authorities as this aspect is built into the initial application sent to the Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA).

The draft guidelines will be put up on DoT website later.


No policy on mobile towers yet

Hindustan Times  Mumbai, April 26, 2013

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/No-policy-on-mobile-towers-yet/Article1-1050500.aspx

DOT nod to be must for cell tower removal

April 27, 2013

MUMBAI: Citizens opposed to the presence of cellphone towers around them may not be able to get these removed simply by agitating and putting pressure on the installers in coming days.

Once new guidelines are introduced by the ministry of communication and information technology, the permission of local enforcement and monitoring cells of the department of telecom (DoT) will be required before removal and shifting of towers or cutting of power supply to these.

The guidelines are being drafted to regulate cell towers and will come in handy while dealing with complaints about high electromagnetic field radiation from these towers.

The city and its vicinity witnessed the highest number of cell tower removals in the country in recent days, with service providers removing nearly 100 towers because of what they called "unnecessary panic" among citizens. The result was poor connectivity in some areas.

Recently there were incidents such as in Andheri, Dadar and Malabar Hill where citizen groups forced operators to remove towers.

"There was a consensus among the stakeholders-cellular operators' representatives, tower providers and ministry officials-that any decision about cell tower antennas should be taken only after obtaining consent from the telecom enforcement, resource and monitoring (TERM) cells of DoT," said Rajan Mathew, director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India.

The primary draft of the guidelines was discussed at a recent meeting in Delhi. The draft also suggested formation of district committees to ensure regular interaction between civic or district officials and TERM cells.

"Telecom installations are lifeline and are a critical infrastructure in mobile communication. In order to avoid disruption in mobile communication, sealing of base transmission station towers or disconnection of electricity to them may not be resorted to without the consent of the respective telecom enforcement, resource and monitoring cell of department of telecommunication (DoT)," stated the primary draft of the guidelines discussed among stake holders recently at a meeting in New Delhi. The draft .

SAFETY GUIDELINES

1) If rooftops have cell towers, rooftop visits should be restricted to short durations

2) There should be no residential or workplace building directly in front of an antenna till a distance of 20 metres (distance increases with number of antennas and is 75 metres for 12 antennas)

3) For all general public areas in vicinity of tower, operators to ensure safe electromagnetic field exposure limits as per actual peak call traffic measurements

4) On flyovers, antenna should be mounted at least 5 metres above ground or road level

DNA- Log on to pull down the tower of deceit near you

DNA- Log on to pull down the tower of deceit near you

Sunday, Apr 28, 2013,

From June 15, a web portal will help figure out if a telecom tower violates DoT's norms.

Has the cellphone tower radiation scare got to you? Come June 15, and you will be able to find out if you stay in an area which is being affected by mobile tower radiation, thanks to a web portal being put together by the cellphone industry and the government.

In a presentation on Friday, the department of telecom (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) decided  to launch a portal from where any person can figure out which is the closest mobile phone tower to his/her house and if it complies with the DoTs safety norms.

The plan comes in the wake of a study conducted by a DoT body, which documented cases of cancer deaths in areas overexposed to telecom towers in Mumbai.

It's a joint effort of the government and the industry. Users will have to log on to the website and they can get all details from it, said Rajan Mathews, director general of COAI.

The best part of the whole process, it's free.

The portal, being developed by a firm called Ramboll, is still in a nascent stage. Many developments, says Mathews, are yet to be finalised.

Earlier this month, dna had reported that a DoT agency, the telecom enforcement resources and monitoring (TERM) cell, in Mumbai has been receiving complaints on suspected high radiation from mobile phone towers.

While going through some of these cases, one case has come to our notice, where in one residential complex, six members of five individual families have been diagnosed with cancer in a span of five to six years, said a report by TERM.

Chetan Shah, 34, a resident of Jawan Nagar society that was mentioned in the report, had said at least eight neighbours had died due to cancer over the last two years.

TERM's survey covered societies in Borivli, Bandra, Wadala, Thane, Andheri, Parel and Dadar, among others. The DoT now plans to conduct more such studies in Mumbai and other parts of the country.

The concern over the effects of radiation from telecom towers has grown in recent times.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1827886/report-log-on-to-pull-down-the-tower-of-deceit-near-you

6 Cancer Cases in Parsi Colony near Mobile Phone Towers - DNA - 22 April 2013 - Page 3

‘Cancerous’ cell phone towers panic Parsi Colony

6 cancer cases in 3 yrs, residents call meet to devise strategy
DNA - 22 April 2013 - Page 3

Freny Kavarana, a resident of Shree Samarth building in Dadar’s Parsi Colony, says that she feels “horrible” when sitting in her room. Operated for a cancerous tumour in her stomach last year, Kavarana and three other people in her building blame cell phone tower radiation for the disease. Despite minister of state for communications and information and technology, Milind Deora, stating that there is no proof that radiation from cell phone towers is hazardous to health, citizens continue to be apprehensive.

After six cases of cancer were reported in the past three years in the neighbourhood, the residents of the Parsi Colony are a panicked lot. They have put up banners and distributed handbills in the area, inviting people for a meeting on April 28, protesting against the cell phone towers on buildings in the vicinity.
Kavarana, who is still undergoing treatment post her surgery last year, says, “I can’t prove it, but people like me — who have suffered from cancer — have a strong suspicion that it is due to the cell phone towers that came up around here a few years ago.”

Aditya Gandhi, whose mother was detected with ovarian cancer in 2010, says, “Our window opens up to cell phone towers which are less than 35 metres away, on the third floor terrace of the adjoining building.”
Some residents have spent large amounts of money putting up radiation films to obstruct the radiation emitted from these towers. Avaa Jassawalla, who lives in Boman Lodge on Dr Ambedkar Road, spent over Rs1.5 lakh to put up such films two months ago. “I am unable to enjoy the view from my penthouse apartment, only because of the towers that are just 15 metres away,” she says.

Chunabhatti hsg society’s protests fall on deaf ears


Residents of a housing society in Chunabhatti, Sion, have been protesting against two mobile towers on their building, but their pleas are falling on deaf ears. They claim that their builder has been pocketing the rent paid by the service providers for the towers.

The construction of the building in question, Swami Samarth, started back in 2000, and by 2005, seven floors of the building were ready. Two years later, the builders, Bhandup-based Shree Swami Samarth Developers, allowed two telecom service providers to install towers on the building.
“It was only in November 2010 that we managed to form a housing society, but the developer tried stopping us by complaining to the registrar of cooperative housing societies saying that the signatures of two residents had been forged,” says Kunjanna Shetty, a resident of the building. Even applications filed under the Right to Information Act by the residents at the local Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation office proved futile, with officials saying they were unable to trace the files of their building.

A seventh floor resident, Sarla Gangar, says, “The builder is not even doing anything to get the occupation certificate for the building. For over seven years now, we have been requesting him to start the process of getting the mandatory certificate issued, but he doesn’t care.”

Residents claim that the builder earns around Rs8-10 lakh annually as rent from these two cell phone towers.
Justifying their actions, Sandeep Jalgaonkar of Shree Swami Samarth Developers says, “Earlier, this building did not have any Floor Space Index; it was I who got the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) at a cost of Rs40-50 lakh, and now, I need to recover my expenses.”

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=3&edcode=820009&eddate=2013-04-22

Coverage in DNA - April29-2013-Pages 1 and 7-Dadar

Coverage in Dainik Samna - April 29, 2013 - Dadar

Coverage in Dainik Samna - April 29, 2013 - Dadar

Mere samne vali kidki mein Ek Mobile Tower Dikhta Hai

http://epaper.saamana.com/Details.aspx?id=37444&boxid=114529734

Tower-ing inferno - Dadar Matunga residents join to fight mobile tower radiation problems

1. Tower-ing inferno

Midday - April 30, 2013

Call to harm goes up as Dadar Matunga residents urged to fight mobile phone tower radiation problems; ire and fire marks three-hour long meet on issue

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2013/apr/300413-tower-ing-inferno.htm

2. Docs talk on radiation effects - Asian Age - Apr 29, 2013

http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/docs-talk-radiation-effects-378

With the aim to create awareness, social activists and doctors drew citizens attention towards hazards of electro-magnetic radiations at Mancherji Hall in Parsi Colony, Wadala on Sunday.

The doctors, while speaking to residents, emphasised on the harmful effects of radiations emitted by the cellphone towers and said that its effects the chromosomal imbalance in children.

Drawing attention to the cellphone towers mushrooming in the area, the social activists gave presentations.
Why do cellular operators display danger signs near their installations? Why do the department of telecommunication and ministry of communications and information technology publish advertisements that tell people that if they have a choice, they should use a landline (wired) and not a cellphone? If there was no danger from cellphone towers, what is the need for such an advice? asked Prakash Munshi, from Indians for Safe Environments.

Dr Ashish Mehta, neurologist at Breach Candy and Saifee Hospitals, using a powerpoint presentation, elaborated how electromagnetic radiations can affect body cells. Prolonged exposure is dangerous and effects can range from genetic damage to malignancy in cells, he said.

Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla, who is also a part of Forum Against Cell Tower Radiations, said that it is important to understand the health hazards of things that citizens do in the everyday life. There are many cellphone users, who neither know nor understand specific absorption rate (SAR) of a cellphone. Even though cellphone companies provide the SAR value, a layman will continue to use the cellphone without understanding the health hazards. It is important that people are aware of the issue, she said.

3. Also, coverage appeared in Times of India dated 29-04-2013


Activists air dangers of cell towers - TOI - Apr 29, 2013
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Activists-air-dangers-of-cell-towers/articleshow/19774545.cms

MUMBAI: Residents of Dadar and Matunga met on Sunday to discuss the ill-effects of mobile tower radiation. Drawing attention to the mobile tower antennae mushrooming in the area, activists made presentations for the residents at Mancherji Hall in Parsi Colony, Wadala.

"Why do cellular operators put danger signs near their installations? Why does the department of telecommunication and ministry of communications and information technology publish ads telling people that if they have a choice, they should use a landline and not a cellphone," asked Prakash Munshi from Indians for Safe Environments.

Dr Ashish Mehta, neurologist with Breach Candy and Saifee hospitals, made PowerPoint presentations explaining how electromagnetic radiation can affect body cells. "Continuous exposure is dangerous. Effects could range from genetic damage to malignancy," he said.

Actor Juhi Chawla, who is also a part of Forum Against Cell Tower Radiations, said, "Though firms provide the specific absorption rate value of a cellphone, people continue to use them without understanding the health hazards they can pose. It is important that people are aware of the issue."

Mumbai residents up in arms against mobile towers

Mumbai residents up in arms against mobile towers

Apr 29, 2013 - Health India.com

Residents of Dadar, Matunga and Wadala gathered at the Mancherji Joshi Hall in Dadar’s Parsi Colony on Sunday to protest against the arbitrary installation of cell phone towers in their locality. The residents attended a presentation by the Forum Against Cell Towers (FACT), which highlighter the hazards of electromagnetic radiation from cell towers. There’s much speculation about how round-the-clock exposure can cause cancer.

The residents have decided to take up the matter directly with CM Prithviraj Chavan by sending him a petition with over 200 signatures.

The residents say one of the major hurdles is getting to the bottom of who’s actually in-charge of phone tower related policy. Several citizens’ groups want the towers removed but don’t know whom to approach. Every agency is just passing the buck. We need the role of each agency clearly defined,’ said activist Nikhil Desai.

Last week, the Departmental of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cells were the sole authorities responsible for enforcing phone tower norms. There’s no clarity on the laws and guidelines pertaining to cell phone towers or who’s responsible for enforcing them.  Activists expressed the need for clearer regulations for installation of cell phone towers, permitted radiation levels, number of towers per structure, their height and transmission levels etc.

Actress Juhi Chawla said at the meeting, ‘Mobile companies must ensure they highlight Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value on the boxes. SAR points out the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by a body while using a phone.’

Anti-radiation activist Prakash Munshi, who also attended the meeting to show his support, hit out at the BMC for the delay in declaring its draft policy on cell phone towers, which could have led to the installation of several illegal towers in the meantime.

Unsurprisingly, Rajan S Mathews, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said he was surprised at the statements made by social activists at the meeting. ‘There is a total lack of appreciation for scientific facts and studies undertaken by national and international bodies. The cellular industry is working very closely with the DoT and government bodies to clarify doubts regarding telecom towers,’ said Mathews. Read what expert Neha Kumar has to say about the issue and find more about the dangers of electromagnetic radiation

http://health.india.com/news/mumbai-residents-up-in-arms-against-mobile-towers/

Mobile Tower: HC Notice To Centre On Woman’s Plea

Mobile Tower: HC Notice To Centre On Woman’s Plea

22 April 2013: The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Centre’s response on a 70 year-old widow’s plea seeking Rs 50 lakh as compensation from authorities for allowing a cellular operator to install a mobile tower on the terrace of her house which caused health hazards to her young daughter.

Issuing a notice to the Union Health Ministry, a leading mobile service provider, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and MCD, Justice Rajiv Shakdhar sought their replies by May 1 on the plea of Seeta Devi, a resident of East Chander Nagar. Filing the plea through counsel RS Bhatia, the woman said her 30-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer and despite her protest against installation of the mobile tower, the authorities allowed the private company to set up the tower on the terrace of her house in March last year and her daughter’s condition got aggravated due to the use of high frequency rays of the tower.

“The use of high frequency rays of the mobile tower is hazardous to the petitioner, her daughter (cancer patient) and also local residents as the concerned doctors who treated her daughter have advised that the mobile frequency is hazardous for the life of her daughter and till date, she has spent more than Rs 20 lakh for the treatment. Further, the mobile tower rays further deteriorated her daughter’s health day by day and the patient is on the last stage of her life,” the plea said. Seeking removal of the tower from her property, the petitioner also claimed a compensation of Rs 50 lakh.

The woman said there is a temple, a government school and also a community centre besides the marketing complex near to her house. Further, she claimed to have lodged a complaint with the DCP (East) in April last year but no action has been taken.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/top-stories/hc-notice-to-centre-on-70-year-old-womans-plea-on-mobile-tower.html

Radiation Shielding from Mobile Tower Radiations ( Electro Magnetic Radiations)

Radiation Shielding from Mobile Tower Radiations ( Electro Magnetic Radiations)

Cell Tower Radiation - coverage in Trivandrum

Sreethiru Mobile Technology Private Ltd, a Trivandrum based company promoted by Mr. Thiruvengada Ramanujam is joining hands with Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Mumbai to promote and market radiation shielding products developed by Prof GirishKumar. The radiation shielding products are tested, approved and certified by the Antenna Lab IIT Bombay which is the major plus point for these products which itself is a great certification to prove the genuineness of the products and solutions as IIT is one of the most accredited institutions/organizations in the country. This is also a great relief to people who get cheated by companies offering fake radiation solutions.

The most common complaints reported as a result of mobile tower radiations are: concentration problems, memory loss, sleep disorder, headache, depression, irritability, hearing loss, joint problems, etc. More severe reactions include seizures, paralysis, miscarriage, irreversible infertility, and cancer. Children and pregnant ladies are more vulnerable.Cell phone industry is becoming another cigarette industry, which kept claiming that smoking is not harmful and now there are millions of people around the world who have suffered from smoking. In fact, cell phone/tower radiation is worse than smoking; as one cannot see it or smell it, and its effect on health is noted after a long period of exposure.There have been several clusters of cancer cases in Mumbai, where towers have been installed in the nearby buildings.

The Capacitive Matched Load Technology developed at IIT Bombay is capacitively coupled and strategically attached at various designated places on the product, will convert these absorbed radiations into heat energy. A built-in heat sink in the Capacitive Matched Load will spread this heat and hence no rise in temperature is experienced. The radiation shields are available in different formats like window curtain shield, wall paper shield, window film shield and personal shielding etc. Many more products will be launched in the future in the form of paints, bed sheets etc. Products to protect pregnant ladies against radiations (Pregnant Apron) will also be launched in the coming months. The Radiation shield can reduce radiations levels by 10dB (90% reduction in signal) to 20dB (99% reduction in signal) (shielding effectiveness from 800 MHZ to 4.0 GHZ). Any Commercial enquiry can be reached at the above mentioned contact number and email id. The pricing of the products will be affordable but at the same time good technology comes at a cost also. The cost will definitely come down based on volumes.

Prof. Girish Kumar has developed a radiation measurement product named Detex 189 to measure the radiation levels at a given spot in your home or office. It is a broadband instrument and accurately detects the cumulative radiation in the range of 800 MHZ to 4 GHZ which covers frequencies covered by most modern communication systems that are encountered in our day to day life (CDMA, GSM 900, GSM 1800, 3G, Wi-Fi/WLAN, Bluetooth frequency bands. It measures the radiation level in a room using multi colored LED lights that is Red, Yellow and Green. If the radiation level is high red color will blink and the blink will be steady if the intensity is more and the yellow color will blink if the radiation level is better than the radiation as per red color and the steadiness of the yellow color blink will depend again on the intensity of the radiation and it is safe if the blink is in the green color zone. This is to make it easy for common man to measure the radiation levels. The radiation level can be bought down using multiple products based on the intensity of the radiation. That is if the radiation level is red, it can be bought down to green using multiple products like window curtain shield, wall paper shield, window film shield and personal shielding also.

 http://trivandrum.quikr.com/Radiation-Shielding-Solutions-from-Mobile-Tower-Radiations-W0QQAdIdZ96107209

BMC proposal limits number of mobile towers on buildings

19 Nov, 2012

It may now be mandatory for mobile operators in Mumbai to secure consent from 70 percent of housing society residents before installing a cellphone tower on the building, reports The Times of India. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has included this in its draft policy on cellphone towers along with several other guidelines.

The hazards of the radiation emitted by cellphone towers have been a topic of great debate in recent times. The Times of India report highlights that several residents have come up strongly against the managing committees in their housing societies over the installation of cell phone towers without their consent.

Municipal commissioner, Sitaram Kunte was quoted as saying, "We plan to make it mandatory for an operator to get 70 percent consent from the occupants of a housing society on which a mobile tower is proposed. Citizens' views must be considered before a tower is allowed on their building."

Kunte shared that the framework for this rule will be akin to that of any redevelopment or slum rehabilitation proposal, wherein 70 percent consent of the residents is sought before finalising the plan.

The proposal maintains that no more than two towers will be allowed to be installed on the terrace of a building. In order to proceed with the installation, a structural certificate will be required from a structural engineer with a BMC licence. The proposal itself came into being based on the instructions of the High Court.

The BMC has raised the mobile operator's deposit amount in the draft proposal. A senior civic official from the building proposal department was quoted as saying that the deposit amount will go up to Rs 50,000 from the earlier Rs 5,000. Some additions are being made to the draft policy based on the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) guidelines on mobile phone tower installations, which will be shown to the BMC. "There are a few clauses in the draft policy which will need the civic general body's ratification. We will soon table the policy before the body," Kunte added further.

Recently, new radiation norms were adopted by India, and the DoT had set September 1 as the deadline for the telecom operators to adhere to them. As per the new norms, the operators were mandated to reduce the radiation levels by one-tenth of the current levels, thus making them 0.9 watt/m2. Furthermore, it was announced that operators found flouting these rules would be heavily penalised.

Even in the absence of scientific data to determine the role of mobile towers in emitting harmful radiation, many are convinced that these towers are indeed death traps. Their belief is backed by instances that have been witnessed in the country -- be it the Kaiswal family from Jaipur where three family members were detected with cancer after the installation of mobile phone towers five metres away from their house, or the Usha Kiran building in Mumbai that cited three cases of brain tumour attributed to the mobile phone towers installed on the rooftop of an adjacent building. While some may shrug these off as mere coincidences, several housing societies have now come forward to protest against these towers.

According to an estimate, currently there are around five lakh mobile phone towers in India. And today, thanks to the ever increasing popularity of mobile phones, it’s imperative for the operators to install towers to provide coverage. This will further increase their number in the future. With lack of conclusive evidence about their safety or even their role in causing cancer, the common man is at crossroads, especially those living around these towers.

http://tech2.in.com/news/general/bmc-proposal-limits-number-of-mobile-towers-on-buildings/589592

Ambani's tower in radiation tussle

Ambani's tower in radiation tussle

Mumbai, Nov. 27 -- Residents of a Cuffe Parade building have raised concerns about a mobile tower that has been installed inside the compound of the adjacent Sea Wind building, where Anil Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Communications Limited lives. While the residents have demanded the immediate removal of the tower from its current spot, officials from Reliance Communications Limited claimed they had sought all the requisite permissions before installing the tower and were not violating the government's prescribed norms for electromagnetic frequency (emf) radiation (450 milliwatts/square meter). The official added that that they could make minor alterations to the height of the tower without dismantling it, if necessary.

Located about 20 metres away from Sea Land, the complainants' building, the mobile tower's antennae are positioned such that they face the top floor residence of Mubina Issa, who said the radiations from the tower are posing several health risks for them.

"I am not safe in my own house. With the antennae of the mobile tower facing the drawing room and library, I cannot let my children go into these rooms at all," said Issa, who claimed that in the past, the Ambanis had promptly responded to all the concerns they had pointed out. "On account of continuous exposure, even other residents from building in the vicinity have complained about frequent headaches, lack of sleep, short-term memory loss, nervousness and skin rashes."
In a meeting organised for Sea Land residents and representatives of Reliance Communications Limited last week, the residents had demanded the removal of the mobile tower from its current position, citing radiation-induced health hazards.

Responding to their claim, a company official said: "We have sought the requisite permissions for the installation of the mobile tower from the concerned authorities. We have also taken detailed measurements of the radiations in Sea Land society, and found that they were well within the norms prescribed by the government."

http://in.news.yahoo.com/ambanis-tower-radiation-tussle-183000583.html

Mobile Tower Radiation: Rajasthan High Court to hear petitions of victims

Mobile Tower Radiation: Rajasthan High Court to hear petitions of victims

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court, by looking at the amount of torment a man has undergone due to mobile tower radiation, will now hear petition of the victim in separate PIL in order to see if he can be given adequate compensation by the mobile companies.

C-Scheme resident Sudhir Kasliwal alleged that the radiation from nearby towers caused brain tumor to his two younger brothers, Sanjay and Pramod Kasliwal out of which Pramod had passed away. Division bench headed by the Chief Justice Arun Mishra while disposing the PIL filed by retired judge Justice I S Israni, came across a petition filed by Sudhir in which he stated his and his family’s agony caused by mobile tower radiations.

Today technology is so advanced and improved that there is no need of mobile towers. In Singapore there are no towers for mobile communication.Its a serious matter and we will see that the family gets compensation and thus a separate petition has been moved so that the compensation for two of his brothers can be determined, said Chief Justice Arun Mishra.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday, ordered relocation of mobile towers from educational institutions, hospitals and playgrounds in the whole state within two months. Also, the relocation should be done in a manner that it is 500 metres away from jails and 100metres from monuments.

Chief justice Arun Mishra and Justice N K Jain observed that radiations from cell phones and towers have both thermal and non-thermal effect and thus hazardous to everyone staying nearby, especially children and patients.

With an aim to reduce ill-effects and to leave an impact on country’s telecom centres, court dismissed separate petitions that Cellular Operators Association of India and Associate Union of Telecom Service Providers in India had filed challenging 2G and 3G mobile tower/pole by-laws, 2012.

http://jaipur.co/mobile-tower-radiation-rajasthan-high-court-to-hear-petitions-of-victims/

City demands mobile tower rules similar to Rajasthan’s

NO RADIATION While BMC has rules in place for new towers, HC order stops it from taking action on old ones

29 Nov 2012, Hindustan Times (Mumbai)

MUMBAI: A day after the Rajasthan high court ordered relocation of existing mobile towers from around educational institutions, hospitals and playgrounds within two months, anti-radiation campaigners in Mumbai are demanding similar action.

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) – which is at present revising its policy on installation of mobile towers in the city – has banned installation of new towers near educational institutions and hospitals, it has not been able to take any action on existing ones on account of a Bombay high court stay order.

“It is essential to take immediate action even in Mumbai,” said Perin Bagli, principal, Activity High School located on Peddar Road, which recently launched a signature campaign to condemn the suspected health hazards posed by mobile towers located in its vicinity.

Even as there is no conclusive evidence on the direct correlation between electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from mobile towers and health hazards, locals have complained about anxiety, headaches, dizziness, and tumours in extreme cases because of direct exposure.

“With more than 80% of the towers already operating in the city, what is the point in introducing norms for fewer towers that are yet to be installed?” said activist Jitendra Gupta, who has launched a group on Facebook to discuss the implications of radiation exposure. “The proposed norms should be applicable even to those seeking renewal.”

Others said the judgement was a sign of hope. “The Rajasthan high court judgement echoes our sentiments. There is need for concerned officials to look at the issue in a retrospective manner keeping in mind the overall health of citizens,” said Prakash Munshi, from Malabar Hill.

However, telecom industry officials were disappointed. “We are disappointed with the order and will determine the industry’s future course of action once we have the formal order and have studied all details closely,” said Rajan Mathews, director general, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). “The industry has always complied with norms related to exposure limits and wil continue to work actively along with the government to ensure that compliance is maintained,” he said.

Authorities mum on mobile towers constructed illegally

November 30, 2012

JAIPUR: In the absence of official guidelines, the state government and civic bodies continue to remain silent on taking action against the mobile towers that were illegally constructed in the residential areas of the city. According to the officials, around 5,678 towers are in the city to ensure best connectivity for the people, as initially there was no restriction on the number of cell phone towers. However, due to absence of official guidelines on the height of the tower, distance between towers and distance from houses, the residents staying in nearby areas remain exposed to diseases.

Deputy mayor Manish Pareek claimed the government made model cell phone tower bylaws in 2010. These bylaws with a few modifications were made mandatory in September last year. “Due to state government policies the telecom companies do not register themselves at the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) as per the bylaws. Also, we cannot take action against the towers in the residential areas due to lack of powers.” said pareek
Recently, after demolishing illegal towers near residences of influential people, the councillors and residents registered their demand with JMC to carry out similar drives in their respective areas. Mohini Kanwar from ward number 10 said, “In our area two illegal mobile towers have been erected. The issue has been raised several times in the meetings. However, no action has been taken till date. ”

A senior JMC official said, “The mobile towers are permitted by the government of India and we cannot act on the complaints against towers violating the rules. As per municipal bylaws we can take action against them only if they are illegally contructed without leaving a setback.”
Sushil Sharma from ward number 3 claimed, “There is a similar case in my ward and a resident of house situated near the mobile tower is paralyzed due to radiation, according to the doctor’s reports. The case has been brought to JMC’s notice. But no action has been taken .” He added, “There are around 18 towers in this wards violating the rules.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Authorities-mum-on-mobile-towers-constructed-illegally/articleshow/17422605.cms

Awareness in Dhule, Maharasthra on Cell Tower Radiation

  

Delhi: Radiation row

Frontline
Volume 30 - Issue 08 :: Apr. 20-May. 03, 2013
INDIA'S NATIONAL MAGAZINE
from the publishers of THE HINDU         


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THE NATION

Delhi: Radiation row

A petition filed recently in the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of mobile phone towers from the vicinity of schools, colleges and residential localities has highlighted the lack of adequate regulatory mechanisms to deal with hazardous radiation. The writ petition, filed by Sriniwas Sharma, a resident of Pitampura, points out that the towers emit harmful radiation. Sharmas family was allegedly affected by radiation emitted from one such tower; his elder son died of cancer in 2012. The High Court issued notices to the Union of India and the Delhi government on March 8 on the matter.

Vikas Nagwan, the advocate representing Sharma, highlighted the lack of a coherent policy to check emissions from radiation towers. He said: We filed RTI [Right to Information] applications before different government departments asking about the policy on installation of mobile towers in residential localities. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in reply to the RTI application, informed us that TRAI has not issued any guidelines regarding the erection of mobile towers in residential areas. We have not received replies yet from other government departments.

A number of studies illustrate the harmful effects of mobile phone tower radiation. A study titled Report on Cell Phone Tower Radiation Hazards by Sujoy K. Guha and Sudarshan Neogi of IIT Kharagpur states: The base stations are connected to directional antennas that are mounted on the roofs of buildings [RTT, or Roof Top Tower, and RTP, or Roof Top Pole] or on ground based towers (GBT). The antennas may have electrical or mechanical down-tilt so that the signals are directed towards ground level. Large numbers of these towers are mounted near schools, hospitals, residential and office buildings to provide good mobile phone coverage to the users. These cell towers transmit radiation 24, so people living within 100s of metres from the tower will receive 10,000 to 10,000,000 times stronger signal than required for mobile.

The Rajasthan High Court, while deciding a PIL petition in August 2012, had cited an inter-ministerial report that details a number of studies on the adverse effects of mobile radiation on health. Also, in several significant judgments the Supreme Court has extended the constitutional right to life to include the right to a healthy environment, including in M.C. Mehta vs Kamal Nath in 1997. However, the government is yet to formulate concrete measures to address this serious public health concern.

Sagnik Dutta

http://www.frontline.in/stories/20130503300803300.htm

Dadar locals launch campaign against 'dangerous' cell towers

Hindustan Times - March 24, 2013

Residents of Dadar Parsi colony have initiated a campaign to highlight the hazards of radiation that they are exposed to because of the 14 mobile tower antennae on terraces of buildings surrounding their own.


The residents, who will organise a peaceful rally next week, have put up large banners inside the compounds, started a signature campaign and are distributing brochures with details on guidelines prepared by the Union department of telecommunication (DoT) on suspected health hazards posed by exposure to electromagnetic fields.

"In the past few years, six cases of cancer were detected in the two buildings that face the towers. With the towers almost in line with our flats, we are expo-sed to direct radiation through the day," said Nitin Gandhi, a resident of Shree Samarth building, whose wife was detected with cancer in 2009.

"Despite approaching concerned landlords, none of the towers have been dismantled. We have observed that most of the norms laid down by the DoT and the civic body have not been adhered to," added Gandhi.

Many also complained of sleeplessness, headaches and dizziness. "This rally and anti-radiation campaign is being organised to ensure the overall health and well-being of residents," said Dilnavaz Daruvala, another resident, whose husband was detected with cancer.

Suresh Parab, senior police inspector from Matunga police station said that requisite permissions had been sought for organising the peace rally and fixing banners. Despite repeated calls and text messages, Saroj Barucha from Sohrab House, which has installed seven of the 14 mobile tower antennae, refused to comment.

An Aawhan against Cell Tower Radiation - Article in Insight Magazine, IIT Bombay

The Indian Express -  Apr 09 2013  - IIT Bombay faculty seek removal of mobile tower 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/iit-bombay-faculty-seek-removal-of-mobile-tower/1099675/

 An Aawhan against Cell Tower Radiation - Article in Insight Magazine, IIT Bombay

Concerned Resident on Cell Tower Antennas adjoining his house in Delhi

Respected Sir,

You always been in front to help citizen of india, With this faith i am asking you for help on behalf of RWA of 11 block geeta colony.

Sir, This is to bring to your notice that one of the vodafone cell phone tower is running at illegal norms and really creating troubles for 1000 of lives living in nearby buildings at 11 block of geeta colony,Delhi, India. The ilegal tower has 9 antenna installed and the distance from the adjoining building is just 3 meters of the lowest antena of the tower…The srounding also has a beautiful park where more than 500 people comes and sit everyday but it is also affected by the high radiation of the tower…..This is really causing disaster health problem with the people living in the adjoining building reaching to the death.Recently 2 cases of cancer also found at the surrounding buildings....Small children are loosing their health but vodafone people are blind and feels that in India no one there to help us...I am sure you are updated about the recent guidelines of the ministry where if a tower has only one antenna then the lower antenna should be at least 15 meters away from the adjoining building but here the tower has 9 antenna so the guidelines suggest the distance should be at least 75 meter.............You will really be surprised to see that how vodafone people can be ignorant to this condition.

When we talked to the officials of Indus, They did not even ready to look into the condition perhaps they sent us a notice for not raising our voice against this illegal mobile tower.

The citizen of our RWA have already given letter to MCD DC EAST, and our local councelor Mr.Bansi Lal Ji. Even the complaint is already forwarded by the SHO geeta colony to the SDM Mr.Sandeep Gulati based at SDM Office,geeta colony and SDM given instructions to the owner of the building to talk to the company for the removal of the tower but still the INDUS AND Vodafone people are not even ready to take it seriously.

We are even not able to go our roof as the tower and the antina as shown in the pictures are just 3 meter away from our floor. Our ladies are carrying great threat because of the people comes at the tower to maintain it as odd hours.

24 Hours regular vibrations at our walls due to the tower and its instruments leading to cracks at our building, verification of which is already been done by the delhi police.

There is a school and a dispensary nearby the tower and the park has minimum 1000 people foot fall every day for morning and evening walk.

You all are the god for us please come forward and save us from the cluster of this illegal tower.

we  have already sent an email to the vodafone customer care delhi and Mumbai along with their respective noal officers and also got received the acknowledgement but no action is taken.

Please look into the matter and do the needful as soon as possible as every day is dangerous for our lifes.

[Concerned Resident] & RWA 11 Block Geeta colony Delhii

 1.Mobile Towers installed very close to a house in Delhi 

2. Monitoring radiation levels with Nesa's Cell Tower Radiation Detector DETEX 189 - www.nesa.co.in

DoT awakens to cancer-causing cellphone towers

Apr 7, 2013
DNA Exclusive: DoT awakens to cancer-causing cellphone towers



The department of telecommunication or DoT has finally woken up to the fact that there may be a correlation between cancer and exposure to radiation from cell phone towers.

A comprehensive study conducted by a DoT body has documented cases of cancer deaths in areas overexposed to telecom towers in Mumbai.

“TERM Cell Mumbai has been receiving complaints on suspected high radiation from mobile towers. While going through some of these cases, one case has come to notice where in one residential complex six members of five individual families have been diagnosed with cancer in a span of 5-6 years,” said the report by the Telecom Enforcement Resources & Monitoring (TERM), Mumbai.

The society in question is Jawan Nagar society in Borivali. Bipin Shah, a resident, says: “When the study was conducted, the government said radiation levels were under control after which two more towers were installed in the area. We have decided to move court against the tower companies,” he said.

There has been growing concern over the impact of telecom tower radiation on human beings and many citizens, residents’ associations and the media have previously highlighted these concerns.

The TERM report documented the health profile of the complainants. The survey covers societies in Borivali, Bandra, Wadala, Thane, Andheri, Parel and Dadar, among others. The DoT now plans to conduct more such studies in Mumbai and other parts of the country.

Chetan Shah, 34, a resident of Jawan Nagar society, said at least eight neighbours have died due to cancer in his society in the past two years. “Every few months we hear of another death. We’ve been continuously complaining about new cell towers being erected around our society. They are so close - not even 20 metres away,” he said.

Another Jawan Nagar resident, 72-year-old Rasnidhi Vyas, whose wife Chandrika died of breast cancer in 2009, remembers the numerous visits to Nanavati Hospital. “The cancer kept returning till the doctors gave up.” Chandrika was later also diagnosed with lung cancer. “She was bed ridden and in tremendous pain. It pains me to even remember those days,” he says.

Kirtida Bhatt, 62, was diagnosed with cancer last June. “Fortunately it was the starting stage and we went to the doctor on time and got the cyst removed by surgery. Then I went for a CT scan on the recommendation of my doctor. They found 2-3 other little cysts near the same spot for which I was assigned to go through six cycles of chemotherapy. I am grateful I am now clear of any signs of cancer.”

KR Samant from Namaskar housing society in Andheri (E), also part of the TERM survey, has been fighting telecom companies for almost a year now. His wife suffers from breast cancer and two people in his society have died.

Chetan Shah says his family lives in fear after having seen so many neighbours succumb to cancer. “We are not going to wait for one of us to get cancer and have decided to take legal action,” he said.

In September 2012, the government lowered radiation emission limits for mobile phone towers to 450 milliwatts/sq m from 4,500. But even this is way above international norms.

Interpretation of Cell Tower Readings Measured by TERM Cell / TCIL vs. Safe level for Health

Dear All,

I have been working on Cell Tower Radiation issue for the past 3.5 years along with my father Prof. Girish Kumar from IIT Bombay. We have been studying the effects of cell tower radiation on humans and environment and have prepared several reports and submitted the same to DOT and several officials. My work can be seen at: http://neha-wilcom.blogspot.in/ . I also have a company NESA Radiation Solutions Pvt. Ltd. through which we have been carrying out radiation measurements for people in residences and offices and have seen a strong correlation between high radiation levels and health problems.

Recently government has started carrying out radiation measurements for residents through Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells/ Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL). However everywhere they measure, the readings indicate that levels are within norm. This has led to major confusion among common people.

I have attached a report prepared by industry/their associates for a building in Thane,Mumbai

Please note, government of India has adopted a very high radiation norm and what is safe from health point of view is much lower. Operators are within the norm so they keep saying they are within safe guidelines.

Efforts should be to convince the government to adopt better radiation norms:

Interpretation of the readings:

9.2W/sq.m=9200 mW/sq.m - ICNIRP Guideline1998 for GSM 1800 - The Department of Telecommunications, India adopted this norm in 2008
0.92W/sq.m=920 mW/sq.m - 1/10th of ICNIRP - The Department of Telecommunications, India adopted this norm from 1 Sept 2012
0.0001W/sq.m=0.1 mW/sq.m - Safe from health point of view [According to Bioinitiative Report 2007 and recommendations of Antenna Lab, IIT Bombay]
0.185W/sq.m (-02dBm)= 185mW/sq.m - Maximum Reading Measured in this building [Flat No.1002 - Bedroom] - (which is within the government norm hence operators have said that the levels are within guideline) This reading is very high from health point of view. People have been complaining of health problems like sleep disturbance, headaches, concentration problems, joint pains even above 0.001W/sq.m.= 1 mW/sq.m= Above 0.01W/sq.m = 10 mW/sq.m, severe health problems and cancer cases have also been reported in few years.

ICNIRP Guidelines are meant for short term exposure and not for long term exposure. In fact, the short term exposure guideline is only for 6 minutes/day.

By extrapolation, 1/10 of ICNIRP is valid only for 6x10 = 60 min = 1 hour per day. People living close to cell tower radiation are exposed to radiation 24x7.

Please go through the report: Guideline-Austrian-Medical-Assoc-EMF-syndrome.pdf - http://www.scribd.com/doc/87308119
Page 9 mentions that greater than 1 mW/sq.m is very far above normal.

According to Prof. Girish Kumar's report - http://www.scribd.com/doc/132189401, greater than 1 mW/sq.m over a few years of exposure leads to health problems.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me.

With regards,
Neha Kumar
Email - nesaglobal@gmail.com, info@nesa.co.in

Share it with your known people: http://www.scribd.com/doc/132767135/Interpretation-of-Cell-Tower-Readings-Measured-by-TERM-Cell-TCIL-vs-Safe-level-for-Health

Govt.'s radiation monitoring cell is a farce

Please go through the following complaint by karmayog group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/87698

Govt.'s radiation monitoring cell is a farce
Feb 5, 2013

-------------------------------------
In Oct. 2012, after the launch the Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cell by the DoT, for citizens to register a complaint regarding EMF radiation from a cell tower, we had paid the Rs.4000/- required and registered a complaint.

We received a report that made no sense, that was not actionable by any authority and that did not help to solve our complaint at all. [see attached report]

In Dec. 2012, we wrote to Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, to Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, to R. Chandrashekhar, Chairman TC & Secretary (T), Department of Telecommunications, requesting an answer to our queries and a resolution to our complaint.

No reply was received.

In Jan. 2012, we sent reminder letters to the same persons, viz, Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, to Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, to R. Chandrashekhar, Chairman TC & Secretary (T), Department of Telecommunications, requesting a reply.

No reply was received.

Today, 3 months after we first paid Rs.4000 and filed a complaint, and 2 months after our first letter requesting assistance with our complaint, we have come to the conclusion that the government's radiation monitoring cell is a farce, and that the private agencies to whom the work has been outsourced, have fleeced thousands of citizens of their money and just left.

Do any of you'll have similar or different stories to share in this regard?

Thanks,

www.karmayog.org

---------------------------------

Date: 3-12-2012
1. Shri Kapil Sibal
Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Department of Telecommunications,
107, 1st Floor,
Sanchar Bhawan,
20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi-110001


2. Shri Milind Deora
Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology
Ministry of Communications & IT,
Department of Telecommunications,
102, Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi-110001

3. R. Chandrashekhar
Chairman TC & Secretary (T)
Department of Telecommunications
Ministry of Communications & IT,
Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi-110001

Sub.: Measuring EMF radiation levels from cell towers to safeguard the health of citizens

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to the recent initiative launched by the DoT, the Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cell whereby citizens can register a complaint regarding EMF radiation from a cell tower, and the same is then measured by the Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL).

We reside in Mumbai, and accordingly in Oct. 2012, we had registered a complaint with the TERM Cell and paid the requisite fees, and thereafter a team from TCIL visited our premises and measured the radiation levels as needed.

Thereafter, we were informed to check on the TERM website in a few days, where our Radiation Report would be available, and the same could be then downloaded and used further, as needed.

We have downloaded the Report and the same is attached with this letter, for your reference.

We are writing to you as we are unable to determine from the Report whether or not the measured EMF radiation levels at our premises are safe or hazardous. This is because:
1. The Report does not mention the Units in which the EMF Radiation has been measured; it just states a number, such as 0.003391
2. The Report does not mention the safe levels of EMF Radiation, so that we are able to determine whether the Reading is within or beyond the safe level.

As you are aware, it is standard practice in any Report to state the baseline / safe / mean readings for any particular parameter, next to which the actual Reading is stated, so that it is obvious to any non-technical person as well whether the Reading is above or below par. E.g. as is done in blood tests.

We request that DoT urgently direct the TERM Cell and the implementing agency, TCIL to re-format and present the EMF Radiation Report with the data as we have suggested above.

Especially in view of the fact, that the government is charging Rs.4000/- per EMF Radiation Report, the least that is expected is that the Report received is accurate and professional, irrespective of whether the task has been outsourced or not.

We also tried to determine by ourselves what the DoT has stated as safe and permissable EMF Radiation levels for Cell Towers, but unfortunately, this information was not easily available.

The only information that we could find was that "The EMF exposure limit (Base Station Emissions) is lowered to 1/10th of the existing ICNIRP exposure level effective from 1st Sept. 2012. Indian standards are now 10 times more stringent than more than 90% countries in the world." from http://www.dot.gov.in/Electrical/Journey%20to%20EMF%20Radiation/exposure%20Limit%20mobile%20towers.pdf , but this did not help with our query, which is "What is the safe EMF Radiation from a mobile tower?"

We have also refered to the 71 page document at http://www.dot.gov.in/Electrical/Journey%20to%20EMF%20Radiation/TEC%20Test%20Procedure%20EMFields%20From%20BTS%20Antennae.pdf but the same is too technical in nature, and we were unable to solve our query as the document consists mainly of formulae and formats.

Our request to you:

1. Please state clearly the safe permitted EMF Radiation Levels in a simple manner for the common person to understand on the DoT website, TERM Cell website, TCIL website, websites of all Mobile Service Providers' and websites of all companies building and providing Mobile Towers.

2. Please change the format of the Radiation Report to include the Safe EMF Radiation limits next to the actual readings, and to mention the Units of Measurement too.

3. Please display sample Reports on all your websites so that citizens can get a better understanding of the same.

I look forward to the implementation of these suggestions that will lead to greater compliance of safe EMF Radiation from cell towers, and better health for the people of India.

Sincerely,

Mumbai