Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Mumbai: No civic nod for 3 cell towers atop building: RTI
Times of India - 26 Dec 2011, Page 4
MUMBAI: The high level of radiation emitted by three unauthorized mobile towers atop Victor Shelter building poses a health hazard for neighbouring Nilesh society residents at Kandarpada in Dahisar (W), says IIT-Bombay professor Dr Girish Kumar. The radiation level in the New Nilesh society flat was measured by Wilcom Technologies Pvt Ltd, an IIT-B incubated firm.
The combined radiation measured in the living room, kitchen, master-bedroom and another bedroom, especially near windows, was very high, the researcher said.
Residents complained of low immunity, constant headaches, fever and hair-loss. A recent Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Harish Pandey of the New Link Road Residents' Forum revealed that the civic body had no records of permission granted to the mobile operator to install cell towers atop Victor Shelter building
"Last year, an RTI query revealed that three mobile towers erected near Ganpat Patil Nagar slum on the ground barely at a height of 25 feet which were illegal, since they did not have any permission from the civic body," said Pandey.
"These were dismantled later. In this regard, all residents staying around the three towers and the people travelling on Link Road were exposed to radiation. This only highlights loopholes in our system and the indifference of the telecom companies towards the health of citizens," he added. "In the last two years, people from different housing societies in the vicinity have told me that the residents are suffering from several health problems like insomnia, headache, lack of concentration, memory loss, joint pains who did not have any history in their families. At all these places, cell towers have been installed in nearby buildings and the radiation level measured was found to be too high,"said Dr Girish Kumar.
Kumar's daughter, Neha, has been studying the biological effects of radiation and is director, Nesa radiation solutions.
"Residents should ask the mobile operator to reduce the power transmission and ensure antennas are not facing their homes," said Neha, director of Nesa Radiation Solutions. Kumar recommend that the maximum permissible radiation exposure limit for 24 hours (cumulative of all frequency bands) should be less than 100W/m2 (24 hours). Serious Health hazard happen at 1 milliwatt/sq.m. 0.0001watt/m2 and India has adopted 9.2watt/sq.m.
On Tuesday, an inter ministerial committee government announced to bring down electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers must be brought down to one-tenth of existing levels to 0.92 watt/sqm. But, Kumar says that India has still adopted a higher radiation guidelines or power density.
Elaborating on the precautions that residents can take who reside near mobile towers, Kumar said,"Where the radiation level is high they can install a protective window shield. We have developed a shield to absorb unwanted emission. It's reasonably priced. We can shield individual people. But how does one protect environment, trees which give low fruit output and birds?," added Kumar.
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/No-civic-nod-for-3-cell-towers-atop-building-RTI/articleshow/11248029.cms
MUMBAI: The high level of radiation emitted by three unauthorized mobile towers atop Victor Shelter building poses a health hazard for neighbouring Nilesh society residents at Kandarpada in Dahisar (W), says IIT-Bombay professor Dr Girish Kumar. The radiation level in the New Nilesh society flat was measured by Wilcom Technologies Pvt Ltd, an IIT-B incubated firm.
The combined radiation measured in the living room, kitchen, master-bedroom and another bedroom, especially near windows, was very high, the researcher said.
Residents complained of low immunity, constant headaches, fever and hair-loss. A recent Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Harish Pandey of the New Link Road Residents' Forum revealed that the civic body had no records of permission granted to the mobile operator to install cell towers atop Victor Shelter building
"Last year, an RTI query revealed that three mobile towers erected near Ganpat Patil Nagar slum on the ground barely at a height of 25 feet which were illegal, since they did not have any permission from the civic body," said Pandey.
"These were dismantled later. In this regard, all residents staying around the three towers and the people travelling on Link Road were exposed to radiation. This only highlights loopholes in our system and the indifference of the telecom companies towards the health of citizens," he added. "In the last two years, people from different housing societies in the vicinity have told me that the residents are suffering from several health problems like insomnia, headache, lack of concentration, memory loss, joint pains who did not have any history in their families. At all these places, cell towers have been installed in nearby buildings and the radiation level measured was found to be too high,"said Dr Girish Kumar.
Kumar's daughter, Neha, has been studying the biological effects of radiation and is director, Nesa radiation solutions.
"Residents should ask the mobile operator to reduce the power transmission and ensure antennas are not facing their homes," said Neha, director of Nesa Radiation Solutions. Kumar recommend that the maximum permissible radiation exposure limit for 24 hours (cumulative of all frequency bands) should be less than 100W/m2 (24 hours). Serious Health hazard happen at 1 milliwatt/sq.m. 0.0001watt/m2 and India has adopted 9.2watt/sq.m.
On Tuesday, an inter ministerial committee government announced to bring down electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers must be brought down to one-tenth of existing levels to 0.92 watt/sqm. But, Kumar says that India has still adopted a higher radiation guidelines or power density.
Elaborating on the precautions that residents can take who reside near mobile towers, Kumar said,"Where the radiation level is high they can install a protective window shield. We have developed a shield to absorb unwanted emission. It's reasonably priced. We can shield individual people. But how does one protect environment, trees which give low fruit output and birds?," added Kumar.
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/No-civic-nod-for-3-cell-towers-atop-building-RTI/articleshow/11248029.cms
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Cell Tower Radiation Detector - Detex 189 by NESA Radiation Solutions - User Guide
Radiation Detector to measure radiation levels from Mobile Towers
Radiation Detector DETEX 189 has been designed for quick and easy detection of radiation levels at a given spot in your premises (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 used by most modern communication systems that are encountered in our day to day life (CDMA, GSM900, GSM1800, 3G and Wi-Fi /WLAN/ Bluetooth frequency bands).
The radiation levels are indicated by three LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) - Green, Yellow and Red.
If only Green LED lights up, it implies SAFE level of radiation.
If Yellow LED as well as Green LED light up, it implies CAUTION level of radiation. Also, buzzer will start BEEPING intermittently.
If all the three LEDs light up, i.e. Red, Yellow and Green LEDs, it implies DANGER level of radiation. Also, buzzer will start BEEPING continuously.
Highlights of the product:
Cell Phone Tower Radiation Detector
Comply with Bioinitiative Report (2007) Recommendations
Cell Tower Specific Design
IIT Bombay, Antenna Lab Tested
Portable and Monopod Mountable
Fast and Reliable Detection
Price: 4950 INR
To Purchase contact:
Email: info@nesa.co.in, nesaglobal@gmail.com
Contact us: +91-022-41241800, +91 9619378318
Download user manual from:
Cell Tower Radiation Detector - Detex 189 by NESA Radiation Solutions - User Guide
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Media Coverage after Workshop on "Cell Phone and Cell Tower Radiation Hazards and Solutions" at IIT Bombay on Nov 20, 2010
Curtain raiser video showing Cell Tower/ Cell Phone Radiation situation in India
Coverage in TV 9
Coverage in TOI - 22 Nov 2011
Coverage in Indian Express - 22 Nov 2011
Workshop Pictures can be viewed at: http://www.facebook.com/Celltowerradiation
Coverage in TV 9
Coverage in TOI - 22 Nov 2011
Coverage in Indian Express - 22 Nov 2011
Workshop Pictures can be viewed at: http://www.facebook.com/Celltowerradiation
Friday, October 14, 2011
Workshop by Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay on Nov 20,2011 (includes free radiation detector)
Dear All,
It gives us great pleasure to invite you to participate in one day workshop on "Cell phone/tower radiation hazards and solutions" organized by Prof. Girish Kumar, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay. The objective is to create awareness on health hazards due to cell phone/cell tower radiation and discuss solutions.
Venue: VMCC, IIT Bombay
Date: Nov 20, 2011
Time:9 AM to 5 PM
Registration fee: Rs. 6000/- (includes free radiation detector of comparable value).
The workshop will provide a platform for interaction between Experts, Doctors, Sufferers and concerned people who are interested in the subject. Please find the brochure below for details. Kindly forward to your known people who may be interested in attending the workshop.
Download Workshop Brochure - http://www.scribd.com/doc/70744639
Download Registration Form - http://www.scribd.com/doc/70119921
Looking forward to welcome you at IIT Bombay on Nov 20, 2011.
For further details, visit - www.ee.iitb.ac.in/~mwave/workshop
With regards.
Event Coordinator
Abhinav Yadav
Research Assistant
Electrical Department, IIT Bombay
Mumbai - 400076
Phone : +91-90048 93846
: +91-22-2576 4433
Email : abhinav.iitbomaby@gmail.c om
Follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Celltowerradiation
Workshop Brochure - "Cell phone/tower radiation hazards and solutions" Nov 20, 2011
It gives us great pleasure to invite you to participate in one day workshop on "Cell phone/tower radiation hazards and solutions" organized by Prof. Girish Kumar, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay. The objective is to create awareness on health hazards due to cell phone/cell tower radiation and discuss solutions.
Venue: VMCC, IIT Bombay
Date: Nov 20, 2011
Time:9 AM to 5 PM
Registration fee: Rs. 6000/- (includes free radiation detector of comparable value).
The workshop will provide a platform for interaction between Experts, Doctors, Sufferers and concerned people who are interested in the subject. Please find the brochure below for details. Kindly forward to your known people who may be interested in attending the workshop.
Download Workshop Brochure - http://www.scribd.com/doc/70744639
Download Registration Form - http://www.scribd.com/doc/70119921
Looking forward to welcome you at IIT Bombay on Nov 20, 2011.
For further details, visit - www.ee.iitb.ac.in/~mwave/workshop
With regards.
Event Coordinator
Abhinav Yadav
Research Assistant
Electrical Department, IIT Bombay
Mumbai - 400076
Phone : +91-90048 93846
: +91-22-2576 4433
Email : abhinav.iitbomaby@gmail.c om
Follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Celltowerradiation
Workshop Brochure - "Cell phone/tower radiation hazards and solutions" Nov 20, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
South Bombay intensifies stir against cell towers
Hindustan Times - 8 Oct 2011 - Pg 5
Tired of petitioning the state government about electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation from cell phone towers installed at Sahyadri, the government guesthouse at Malabar Hill, actor Juhi Chawla and her neighbours have now put up banners explaining the ill-effects of radiation. The residents of three premises – Veer Bhavan (where Chawla lives), Raj Niketan and Morarji Bungalow – allege that they have been affected by the EMF radiation emitted from the cell phone towers installed at Sahyadri and Sailors Apartment.
Altogether, seven banners were put up in the three residential premises. “We have done this because of the inaction of our neighbours – Sahyadri and Sailors Apartment. In these banners we have explained the adverse effects of radiation on public health – like headache, memory loss, fatigue, miscarriage, heart problems, cancer and leukaemia,” said Prakash Munshi, a resident of Raj Niketan.
The residents claimed that the Indian standard of EMF radiations is actually harmful. “India follows International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines of 1998, which allows exposure of 4,500 milli watts per sq metre. This is considered to be extremely high,” said Neha Kumar, a director of Wilcom Technologies, an IIT-Bombay incubated company.
Kumar added, “Recent research states that only 1 milli watt is safe exposure outdoors. The radiation detected at Malabar Hill is 42.36 milli watts per sq metre.”
The residents have made several complaints to Sahyadri state guesthouse, the chief minister and Milind Deora, minister of state for IT and communications. “Our complaints has been forwarded to the public works department (PWD) but we haven’t received any response from them,” said Munshi.
When contacted, a senior PWD official who did not wish to be named, said, “PWD has executed contracts with mobile companies with due permission of the General Administration Department of the state government. We are aware of the residents’ complaints and are working on sorting it out. We are trying to reduce the EMF radiations or will remove the towers. The final call will be taken by November 15.
On the other hand, Vijay Zaveri, chairman of Sailors Apartment said, “Such mobile towers are present across Mumbai. We have confirmed with the concerned people and they have assured us there is nothing to worry.”
SoBo intensifies stir against cell towers - Hindustan Times
Tired of petitioning the state government about electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation from cell phone towers installed at Sahyadri, the government guesthouse at Malabar Hill, actor Juhi Chawla and her neighbours have now put up banners explaining the ill-effects of radiation. The residents of three premises – Veer Bhavan (where Chawla lives), Raj Niketan and Morarji Bungalow – allege that they have been affected by the EMF radiation emitted from the cell phone towers installed at Sahyadri and Sailors Apartment.
Altogether, seven banners were put up in the three residential premises. “We have done this because of the inaction of our neighbours – Sahyadri and Sailors Apartment. In these banners we have explained the adverse effects of radiation on public health – like headache, memory loss, fatigue, miscarriage, heart problems, cancer and leukaemia,” said Prakash Munshi, a resident of Raj Niketan.
The residents claimed that the Indian standard of EMF radiations is actually harmful. “India follows International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines of 1998, which allows exposure of 4,500 milli watts per sq metre. This is considered to be extremely high,” said Neha Kumar, a director of Wilcom Technologies, an IIT-Bombay incubated company.
Kumar added, “Recent research states that only 1 milli watt is safe exposure outdoors. The radiation detected at Malabar Hill is 42.36 milli watts per sq metre.”
The residents have made several complaints to Sahyadri state guesthouse, the chief minister and Milind Deora, minister of state for IT and communications. “Our complaints has been forwarded to the public works department (PWD) but we haven’t received any response from them,” said Munshi.
When contacted, a senior PWD official who did not wish to be named, said, “PWD has executed contracts with mobile companies with due permission of the General Administration Department of the state government. We are aware of the residents’ complaints and are working on sorting it out. We are trying to reduce the EMF radiations or will remove the towers. The final call will be taken by November 15.
On the other hand, Vijay Zaveri, chairman of Sailors Apartment said, “Such mobile towers are present across Mumbai. We have confirmed with the concerned people and they have assured us there is nothing to worry.”
SoBo intensifies stir against cell towers - Hindustan Times
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Farmer says "Mobile towers are killing sparrows" at Kaun Banega Crorepati
A farmer, Mr. Damodhar Awate from Jalna, Maharasthra, at the hot seat of "Kaun Banega Crorepati 5" hosted by Amitabh Bachan says radiation from mobile towers are killing sparrows in its 31st Episode aired on October 5th 2011
Entire section can be seen at -
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PS522ZblSw
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBsLAAcyQzo - between 7:03min - 8:38min
Entire section can be seen at -
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PS522ZblSw
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBsLAAcyQzo - between 7:03min - 8:38min
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wi-Fi in Schools: Testing for Microwave Radiation Dangers in the Classroom
Wi-Fi in Schools: Testing for Microwave Radiation Dangers in the Classroom
Health concerns and exposure levels in microwatts/meter
Health concerns and exposure levels in microwatts/meter
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Lawsuit victory is a first for cellphone users
Medical-Insurance
Sharesa Price thought it was just another in a series of sinus infections. Her head and eyes hurt, and she was vomiting. But then Price had a seizure, and a brain scan found something far more troubling. “When I got home, the phone was ringing. It was the doctor’s office, and they told me, `Brace yourself. Honey, you have a brain tumor.’ I was standing by the refrigerator, and I just collapsed, saying, `no, no, no, it can’t be a brain tumor,’” she recalled. After her diagnosis in 1999 and surgery to remove most of the tumor, Price started looking for answers. She became convinced that exposure to radio-frequency radiation on the job, where she programmed cell phones for new customers, had caused the tumor. In May, an administrative law judge who handles worker’s compensation claims awarded her 000 to pay her medical bills and other expenses. Price may be the first person to convince a judge that her illness was caused by radio-frequency radiation. The decision is unlikely to have widespread repercussions for the cell phone industry, however, because the settlement was small. Price’s customers at Advanced Communications Systems in northern California were doctors, firefighters, police departments and security departments for casinos, and she loved her work. She used a cell phone several hours each day, and the room in which she worked contained transmitters that emitted radio-frequency radiation, she said. Price said when she filed a workers comp claim …
Remove mobile towers: Thane Municipal Corporation
DNA - Page 4, Sep 23, 2011
In a rare case, and probably for the first time in the state, a municipal corporation admitted that radiations from mobile towers cause health hazards, especially among pregnant women and children.
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), on July 5, had issued a demolition notice to Viom Networks Limited asking it to remove six of their mobile towers placed atop terraces in housing societies.
But, the Bombay high court on Wednesday restrained the TMC from taking anycoercive action against Viao Networks until the next hearing.
“Radiation emitted out of the mobile tower is harmful to pregnant women and children. It leads to serious illnesses such as cancer and brain tumour. Further, there is no permission granted to construct the mobile towers. Due to this illegality, the towers should be demolished within 15 days,” said the notice, which was issued by the additional municipal commissioner of the Vartak Nagar division.
The firm subsequently filed a petition challenging the demolition notice issued by the TMC to the owners or landlords of the societies where the towers are erected.
“Permission under section 44 of the Mumbai Regional Town Planning has already been sought by the company from the corporation, but it is yet to decide on it. After 60 days of the plea, it was deemed to be permission granted and thus the mobile towers were erected," the petition stated.
A division bench of Justice DD Sinha and Justice VK Tahilramani heard the petition on Wednesday.
The advocate of the firm informed the high court that the action taken by the corporation was "unjust" as even before deciding their request for permission they have issued demolition notice.
“Thus, the notice issued on July 5, should be quashed and set aside and the firm be allowed to continue using the mobile towers erected by them,” the advocate argued.
The court issued a notice to the TMCand directed the corporation to file its reply within two weeks. Until then, the court restrained the corporation from taking any coercive action against the company.
Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_remove-mobile-towers-thane-municipal-corporation_1590423
In a rare case, and probably for the first time in the state, a municipal corporation admitted that radiations from mobile towers cause health hazards, especially among pregnant women and children.
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), on July 5, had issued a demolition notice to Viom Networks Limited asking it to remove six of their mobile towers placed atop terraces in housing societies.
But, the Bombay high court on Wednesday restrained the TMC from taking anycoercive action against Viao Networks until the next hearing.
“Radiation emitted out of the mobile tower is harmful to pregnant women and children. It leads to serious illnesses such as cancer and brain tumour. Further, there is no permission granted to construct the mobile towers. Due to this illegality, the towers should be demolished within 15 days,” said the notice, which was issued by the additional municipal commissioner of the Vartak Nagar division.
The firm subsequently filed a petition challenging the demolition notice issued by the TMC to the owners or landlords of the societies where the towers are erected.
“Permission under section 44 of the Mumbai Regional Town Planning has already been sought by the company from the corporation, but it is yet to decide on it. After 60 days of the plea, it was deemed to be permission granted and thus the mobile towers were erected," the petition stated.
A division bench of Justice DD Sinha and Justice VK Tahilramani heard the petition on Wednesday.
The advocate of the firm informed the high court that the action taken by the corporation was "unjust" as even before deciding their request for permission they have issued demolition notice.
“Thus, the notice issued on July 5, should be quashed and set aside and the firm be allowed to continue using the mobile towers erected by them,” the advocate argued.
The court issued a notice to the TMCand directed the corporation to file its reply within two weeks. Until then, the court restrained the corporation from taking any coercive action against the company.
Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_remove-mobile-towers-thane-municipal-corporation_1590423
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Cell phone and cell tower radiation
Cell phone and cell tower radiation
Most people believe cell phones and base station towers are harmless. You can thank the tireless efforts of the trillion dollar mobile telecom industry for convincing you of that. However no serious scientist who investigates this issue concludes the same. Not even Dr. George Carlo, whom the cell phone lobbying group trusted with $25 M to "prove the safety of cell phones" could stomach those lies.
There are hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies on this subject from recognized universities, research hospitals, and scientists around the world. Cell phones and base stations emit electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation in the microwave wavelength. Above we present a sampling of the studies on EMF and health effect.
Not a single government agency in the U.S. is in charge of regulating EMF to mitigate health impacts. The FDA has no authority over telecommunications technology and the FCC is an arm of industry, not a health regulating body. The FCC has not a single research physician or epidemiologist on staff to review data and propose restrictions.
It took over a half century for truth to prevail in the debate over tobacco. We're only fifteen years into the mobile revolution, but already there are 1.4 M base stations and 5.2 B mobile phones in the world. Men were the primary tobacco users, while mobile technology has been adopted by men, women, and children alike.
Cellular base stations over schools, churches, parks, and daycare facilities is a tragedy. These young people have no choice in the matter. They are also way more vulnerable biologically to the effects of EMF radiation.
Most people believe cell phones and base station towers are harmless. You can thank the tireless efforts of the trillion dollar mobile telecom industry for convincing you of that. However no serious scientist who investigates this issue concludes the same. Not even Dr. George Carlo, whom the cell phone lobbying group trusted with $25 M to "prove the safety of cell phones" could stomach those lies.
There are hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies on this subject from recognized universities, research hospitals, and scientists around the world. Cell phones and base stations emit electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation in the microwave wavelength. Above we present a sampling of the studies on EMF and health effect.
Not a single government agency in the U.S. is in charge of regulating EMF to mitigate health impacts. The FDA has no authority over telecommunications technology and the FCC is an arm of industry, not a health regulating body. The FCC has not a single research physician or epidemiologist on staff to review data and propose restrictions.
It took over a half century for truth to prevail in the debate over tobacco. We're only fifteen years into the mobile revolution, but already there are 1.4 M base stations and 5.2 B mobile phones in the world. Men were the primary tobacco users, while mobile technology has been adopted by men, women, and children alike.
Cellular base stations over schools, churches, parks, and daycare facilities is a tragedy. These young people have no choice in the matter. They are also way more vulnerable biologically to the effects of EMF radiation.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Please remove radiation-spewing mobile antenna: Wadia hospital
DNA - 20Aug 2011, Pg 1
While the Maharashtra government is considering guidelines to restrict mobile towers from coming up near hospitals and schools, doctors at Jerbai Wadia hospital in Parel have asked the administration to remove the mobile antenna set up in the hospital premises. The doctors are concerned about the radiation emitted by such antennas.
The antenna is placed on the hospital’s terrace. Ward number 11, which houses children, is below it. Next to it is the post-delivery ward, where women are admitted for observation with their newborns. “Even the ICU is on the second floor.
The staff and doctors are worried about the adverse effects of the antenna. But the authorities are not paying attention,” a doctor told DNA.
“We have put forth various reports before the authorities which state that such radiation might be harmful to those who are constantly near the structure,” said another doctor.
Hospital’s administrative officer KB Shivaram said, “The antenna was set up as we didn’t have range for a particular mobile service. We have now asked the company to deactivate it.” Added another doctor: “When it was being installed, we didn’t realise what it was. The hospital authorities later told us what the structure was,” a doctor said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_please-remove-radiation-spewing-mobile-antenna-wadia-hospital_1577710
While the Maharashtra government is considering guidelines to restrict mobile towers from coming up near hospitals and schools, doctors at Jerbai Wadia hospital in Parel have asked the administration to remove the mobile antenna set up in the hospital premises. The doctors are concerned about the radiation emitted by such antennas.
The antenna is placed on the hospital’s terrace. Ward number 11, which houses children, is below it. Next to it is the post-delivery ward, where women are admitted for observation with their newborns. “Even the ICU is on the second floor.
The staff and doctors are worried about the adverse effects of the antenna. But the authorities are not paying attention,” a doctor told DNA.
“We have put forth various reports before the authorities which state that such radiation might be harmful to those who are constantly near the structure,” said another doctor.
Hospital’s administrative officer KB Shivaram said, “The antenna was set up as we didn’t have range for a particular mobile service. We have now asked the company to deactivate it.” Added another doctor: “When it was being installed, we didn’t realise what it was. The hospital authorities later told us what the structure was,” a doctor said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_please-remove-radiation-spewing-mobile-antenna-wadia-hospital_1577710
Thursday, August 11, 2011
CM promises to address cell tower radiation issue
Hindustan Times, August 08, 2011
Mumbai: Addressing citizens' concerns about the ill-effects of mobile phone tower radiation, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has said the state government will study and examine the concerns of electromagnetic radiations from such towers. Chavan said this in his reply to a letter sent by Milind
Deora, minister of state for communications and IT.
"Electromagnetic radiation generated by mobile towers is of grave concern especially in densely populated regions like Mumbai. The ministry of communications and IT is forming a national level policy that will study the safe distance norms for installation of mobile towers. We will ensure that safety norms in the national policy comply with international standards and World Health Organisation (WHO) parameters," Deora said.
Deora had recently written a letter to the chief minister on a national policy being framed to study electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers.
Mumbai: Addressing citizens' concerns about the ill-effects of mobile phone tower radiation, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has said the state government will study and examine the concerns of electromagnetic radiations from such towers. Chavan said this in his reply to a letter sent by Milind
Deora, minister of state for communications and IT.
"Electromagnetic radiation generated by mobile towers is of grave concern especially in densely populated regions like Mumbai. The ministry of communications and IT is forming a national level policy that will study the safe distance norms for installation of mobile towers. We will ensure that safety norms in the national policy comply with international standards and World Health Organisation (WHO) parameters," Deora said.
Deora had recently written a letter to the chief minister on a national policy being framed to study electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers.
Why do people continue to use cell phones/wifi when they emit deadly amounts of radiation?
Governments and organizations that ban or warn against wireless technology
American Bird Conservancy and Forest Conservation Council: Brought a lawsuit against the FCC because millions of migratory birds are being disoriented by microwave radiation and crashing into cell towers
Amateur Radio Relay League Bio-Effects Committee: “The FCC’s standard does not protect against non-thermal effects.”
Australian Democrats: The “explosion in wireless communications technology” is causing widespread illness.
Austrian Medical Association: Warns against Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and cell phone use by children.
Ballinderry Primary School, Ireland: Removed Wi-Fi to protect the children.
Bavaria, Germany: Recommends no Wi-Fi in schools.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The FCC’s exposure standards are “seriously flawed.”
European Environmental Agency: Recommends wireless technology be avoided by vulnerable groups such as children.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FCC’s exposure standard “does not address the issue of long-term, chronic exposure to RF fields.”
Frankfurt, Germany: Bans Wi-Fi in public schools.
Interdisciplinary Society for Environmental Medicine (3000 physicians in Germany): Recommends banning cell phone use by children and banning cell phones and cordless phones in preschools, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, events halls, public buildings and vehicles.
International Association of Fire Fighters: Opposes communication antennas on fire stations.
International Commission on Electromagnetic Safety (comprised of scientists from 16 nations): Recommends limiting cell phone use by children, teenagers, pregnant women and the elderly.
Irish Doctors Environmental Association: Warns that current safety guidelines are “not appropriate.”
Karnataka State, India: Bans cell phones in all schools and pre-university colleges.
Knowsley, Borough of, England: Bans cell phones in schools.
Lakehead University, Ontario: Bans Wi-Fi on campus
Madhya Pradesh, India: Bans cell phones in schools by both students and teachers.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): The FCC’s standard is inadequate because it “is based on only one dominant mechanism—adverse health effects caused by body heating.”
National Library of France: Removed Wi-Fi and installed only cable connections.
Paris, France: Removed Wi-Fi from four libraries.
Prebandal Preparatory School, Chichester, England: Removed Wi-Fi from its campus
Progressive Librarians Guild: Recommends no wireless technology in libraries.
Russian National Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection: Warns that cell phones are unsafe even for short conversations. Children under 16, pregnant women, epileptics, and people with memory loss, sleep disorders and neurological diseases should never use cell phones.
Sainte-Geneviève University, Paris: Removed Wi-Fi from its library.
Salzburg, Austria: Bans Wi-Fi in public schools.
Sebastopol, California: Broke its contract to install citywide Wi-Fi.
Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, England: Removed Wi-Fi from campus.
Therold, Ontario: Broke its contract to install citywide Wi-Fi.
UK Department of Education: Children under 16 should not use cell phones except in an emergency.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute: Children should never use a cell phone except in an emergency.
Voice (UK Teachers Union): Calls for a ban on Wi-Fi in schools.
Ysgol Pantycelyn School, Carmarthenshirem, Wales: Removed Wi-Fi from campus.
http://emfjournal.com/cell-phone-ban/
American Bird Conservancy and Forest Conservation Council: Brought a lawsuit against the FCC because millions of migratory birds are being disoriented by microwave radiation and crashing into cell towers
Amateur Radio Relay League Bio-Effects Committee: “The FCC’s standard does not protect against non-thermal effects.”
Australian Democrats: The “explosion in wireless communications technology” is causing widespread illness.
Austrian Medical Association: Warns against Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and cell phone use by children.
Ballinderry Primary School, Ireland: Removed Wi-Fi to protect the children.
Bavaria, Germany: Recommends no Wi-Fi in schools.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The FCC’s exposure standards are “seriously flawed.”
European Environmental Agency: Recommends wireless technology be avoided by vulnerable groups such as children.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FCC’s exposure standard “does not address the issue of long-term, chronic exposure to RF fields.”
Frankfurt, Germany: Bans Wi-Fi in public schools.
Interdisciplinary Society for Environmental Medicine (3000 physicians in Germany): Recommends banning cell phone use by children and banning cell phones and cordless phones in preschools, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, events halls, public buildings and vehicles.
International Association of Fire Fighters: Opposes communication antennas on fire stations.
International Commission on Electromagnetic Safety (comprised of scientists from 16 nations): Recommends limiting cell phone use by children, teenagers, pregnant women and the elderly.
Irish Doctors Environmental Association: Warns that current safety guidelines are “not appropriate.”
Karnataka State, India: Bans cell phones in all schools and pre-university colleges.
Knowsley, Borough of, England: Bans cell phones in schools.
Lakehead University, Ontario: Bans Wi-Fi on campus
Madhya Pradesh, India: Bans cell phones in schools by both students and teachers.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): The FCC’s standard is inadequate because it “is based on only one dominant mechanism—adverse health effects caused by body heating.”
National Library of France: Removed Wi-Fi and installed only cable connections.
Paris, France: Removed Wi-Fi from four libraries.
Prebandal Preparatory School, Chichester, England: Removed Wi-Fi from its campus
Progressive Librarians Guild: Recommends no wireless technology in libraries.
Russian National Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection: Warns that cell phones are unsafe even for short conversations. Children under 16, pregnant women, epileptics, and people with memory loss, sleep disorders and neurological diseases should never use cell phones.
Sainte-Geneviève University, Paris: Removed Wi-Fi from its library.
Salzburg, Austria: Bans Wi-Fi in public schools.
Sebastopol, California: Broke its contract to install citywide Wi-Fi.
Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, England: Removed Wi-Fi from campus.
Therold, Ontario: Broke its contract to install citywide Wi-Fi.
UK Department of Education: Children under 16 should not use cell phones except in an emergency.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute: Children should never use a cell phone except in an emergency.
Voice (UK Teachers Union): Calls for a ban on Wi-Fi in schools.
Ysgol Pantycelyn School, Carmarthenshirem, Wales: Removed Wi-Fi from campus.
http://emfjournal.com/cell-phone-ban/
Industry disagrees to most recommendations on mobile radiation
New Delhi, Aug 3, 2011 (PTI) Telecom industry players have disagreed on most of the recommendation made by inter- ministerial committee on radiation from mobile phone and towers for safety of people in the country.
Industry bodies namely COAI, Indian Cellular Association, GSM Association have expressed their disagreement to government''s recommendation on reducing specific absorption rate (SAR) to 1.6 watt per kilogram averaged over six minutes.
This was stated by minister of state for communications and IT Milind Deora in a written reply to Lok Sabha today.
The business organisation have expressed disagreement to the proposal made by government to lower SAR level which at present is 2 watt per kg.
Countries like Canada and US have already lowered the SAR level to 1.6 watt per kg.
Associations such as Mobile manufacturers forum (MMF) of Hong Kong and telecom service provider Vodafone Essar have also disagreed with this proposal.
Similarly, Cellular Operators Association of India, GSM association, Vodafone Essar, MMF are against government''s proposal to lower radio frequency power density to one-tenth of the existing level keeping in view the trend adopted by other developed countries.
The committee has recommended that mobile towers should not be installed within the premises of schools and hospitals but MMF, COAI, GSM association and Vodafone Essar have disagreed to the proposal.
These set of players have also disagreed to government''s recommendation of using low power transmitters on mobile towers.Out of 16 recommendations made by government, industry players have only agreed to follow five recommendations.
Industry players have agreed to provide SAR data information of the mobile handset on website and handset manual.
They have also agreed to the display of radiation level in mobile network frequency range and providing guide on radiation to customers.
The associations also commonly agreed on conducting long-term scientific research related to health aspect due to radiation exposure in India.
http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5339869
Industry bodies namely COAI, Indian Cellular Association, GSM Association have expressed their disagreement to government''s recommendation on reducing specific absorption rate (SAR) to 1.6 watt per kilogram averaged over six minutes.
This was stated by minister of state for communications and IT Milind Deora in a written reply to Lok Sabha today.
The business organisation have expressed disagreement to the proposal made by government to lower SAR level which at present is 2 watt per kg.
Countries like Canada and US have already lowered the SAR level to 1.6 watt per kg.
Associations such as Mobile manufacturers forum (MMF) of Hong Kong and telecom service provider Vodafone Essar have also disagreed with this proposal.
Similarly, Cellular Operators Association of India, GSM association, Vodafone Essar, MMF are against government''s proposal to lower radio frequency power density to one-tenth of the existing level keeping in view the trend adopted by other developed countries.
The committee has recommended that mobile towers should not be installed within the premises of schools and hospitals but MMF, COAI, GSM association and Vodafone Essar have disagreed to the proposal.
These set of players have also disagreed to government''s recommendation of using low power transmitters on mobile towers.Out of 16 recommendations made by government, industry players have only agreed to follow five recommendations.
Industry players have agreed to provide SAR data information of the mobile handset on website and handset manual.
They have also agreed to the display of radiation level in mobile network frequency range and providing guide on radiation to customers.
The associations also commonly agreed on conducting long-term scientific research related to health aspect due to radiation exposure in India.
http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5339869
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Cell Phones Cause Cancer! Brain Tumor Victims & Suvivors
Cell Phones Cause Cancer! Brain Tumor Victims & Suvivors
Sunday, July 31, 2011
New study: direct link to 4,924 cancer deaths from cellular antennas radiation.
New study: direct link to 4,924 cancer deaths from cellular antennas radiation.
May 17, 2011
The electromagnetic radiation emitted by transmitting cell phone antennas is linked to the occurrence of some types of cancer, according to a study by Brazilian researchers.
The study established a direct link between cancer deaths in Belo Horizonte, the third largest city, with the antennae of the mobile telephone network, reported in Science Hoje site, the news portal of the Brazilian Society for Progress Science (Sociedad Brasileña para el Progreso de la Ciencia.)
The research was conducted by scientists at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil’s southeastern state whose capital is Belo Horizonte. The results give a warning in a country where, according to the latest data available, at least one person has a cell phone in 82 percent of the residences.
Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) Belo Horizonte - Brazil
According to the engineer Adilza Condessa Dode, PhD, UFMG researcher and coordinator of the study, repeated exposure of cell phone users to the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the device and the antennas is not as safe as indicated by other research.
According to the study, more than 80 percent of people who die in Belo Horizonte by specific types of cancer live less than 500 meters away from the 300 identified cell phone antennas in the city.
Scientists found between 1996 and 2006 died in Belo Horizonte a total of 4924 victims of cancer types that may be caused by electromagnetic radiation, such as tumors in the prostate, breast, lung, kidneys and liver.
After finding on the map nearly 300 points antennas of cellular phone networks in the city, the researcher found that 80 percent of those victims lived within 500 meters away from one of these premises.
According to estimates quoted by the researcher, the level of local radiation in excess of 300 GHz antennas considered maximum under Brazilian law of 2009.
“These levels are already high and dangerous to human health. In the closer you live on an antenna, the greater the contact with the electromagnetic field,” said Dode.
The researcher claims that the antennas of the devices themselves are also dangerous.
“The power emitted by the cell phone is continuous and exacerbated by the position of the antennas that are directed toward the user’s brain,” he said. The engineer said that the legislation setting emission limits for electromagnetic radiation is not based upon health criteria, but solely upon industrial, economic and technological criteria.
Dode cited countries such as Switzerland and Italy, with more restrictive laws, and suggested that each Brazilian municipality set limits as it deems appropriate.
“This is a precaution. I think we will succeed only with social mobilization and must wait for a change in the law,” he said.
Until the legislation does guarantee the health of the population, the engineer suggested that consumers just use the phones for emergency calls and to give more preference to text messaging rather than to speaking on their cell phones. Researcher Dode also recommended the use of a cellular headset to keep the unit away from the body, and to ban the use of mobiles by children and in places such as schools and hospitals. (Xinhua)
Link:http://www.next-up.org/pdf/Brazil_New_study_direct_link_to_4924_cancer_deaths_from_cellular_antennas_radiation_28_07_2011.pdf
May 17, 2011
The electromagnetic radiation emitted by transmitting cell phone antennas is linked to the occurrence of some types of cancer, according to a study by Brazilian researchers.
The study established a direct link between cancer deaths in Belo Horizonte, the third largest city, with the antennae of the mobile telephone network, reported in Science Hoje site, the news portal of the Brazilian Society for Progress Science (Sociedad Brasileña para el Progreso de la Ciencia.)
The research was conducted by scientists at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil’s southeastern state whose capital is Belo Horizonte. The results give a warning in a country where, according to the latest data available, at least one person has a cell phone in 82 percent of the residences.
Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) Belo Horizonte - Brazil
According to the engineer Adilza Condessa Dode, PhD, UFMG researcher and coordinator of the study, repeated exposure of cell phone users to the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the device and the antennas is not as safe as indicated by other research.
According to the study, more than 80 percent of people who die in Belo Horizonte by specific types of cancer live less than 500 meters away from the 300 identified cell phone antennas in the city.
Scientists found between 1996 and 2006 died in Belo Horizonte a total of 4924 victims of cancer types that may be caused by electromagnetic radiation, such as tumors in the prostate, breast, lung, kidneys and liver.
After finding on the map nearly 300 points antennas of cellular phone networks in the city, the researcher found that 80 percent of those victims lived within 500 meters away from one of these premises.
According to estimates quoted by the researcher, the level of local radiation in excess of 300 GHz antennas considered maximum under Brazilian law of 2009.
“These levels are already high and dangerous to human health. In the closer you live on an antenna, the greater the contact with the electromagnetic field,” said Dode.
The researcher claims that the antennas of the devices themselves are also dangerous.
“The power emitted by the cell phone is continuous and exacerbated by the position of the antennas that are directed toward the user’s brain,” he said. The engineer said that the legislation setting emission limits for electromagnetic radiation is not based upon health criteria, but solely upon industrial, economic and technological criteria.
Dode cited countries such as Switzerland and Italy, with more restrictive laws, and suggested that each Brazilian municipality set limits as it deems appropriate.
“This is a precaution. I think we will succeed only with social mobilization and must wait for a change in the law,” he said.
Until the legislation does guarantee the health of the population, the engineer suggested that consumers just use the phones for emergency calls and to give more preference to text messaging rather than to speaking on their cell phones. Researcher Dode also recommended the use of a cellular headset to keep the unit away from the body, and to ban the use of mobiles by children and in places such as schools and hospitals. (Xinhua)
Link:http://www.next-up.org/pdf/Brazil_New_study_direct_link_to_4924_cancer_deaths_from_cellular_antennas_radiation_28_07_2011.pdf
Towering trouble for hospital
Midday 27 July 2011
Fearing radiation hazards, Santacruz hospital sends notice to neighbouring building, whose terrace is packed with mobile towers
The mushrooming of cellular antennae in residential areas, and the potential health risks they pose by emitting radiation incessantly, have come under the scanner again, this time from a hospital in Santacruz.
The BCJ Hospital and Asha Parekh Research Centre, contiguous with the Ratna Deep Cooperative Housing Society (CHS), has sent a notice to it, asking for the cell towers on its rooftop to be removed.
The hospital authorities believe that if the persistent radiation level is not controlled, it can imperil patients in critical care, whose immune systems are already weak.
N A Mulla, director of the hospital's administration, said, "Our hospital caters to low income group patients and their safety is our utmost priority. We will ask the societies concerned to shift the cell towers if they are found to be dangerous."
The facility's management sent the notice to the adjoining society on SV Road yesterday. The chairman of the society was not available for comment.
But Narendra Sharma, a member of the CHS, received the hospital's letter. "Some of the towers were installed 8-9 years ago by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.
The rest are by other service providers. If found unsafe, I will request society members to remove them," Sharma said.
There are 21 flats in this small society and several GSM antennae have been installed on the building's roof.
'Check sprouting towers'
The hospital's objections come in the backdrop of a report submitted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to the state health department and the Urban Development Department (UDD) on radiation risks.
The DoT, concerned with the progressively growing number of such antennae accompanied by the increasing subscriber base of cellphone operators, had appointed a committee of ministers to look into the issue.
At last count, there were around 4,000 cell towers across the city, transmitting radio frequencies round the clock.
The Health Department received the report and has forwarded it to the UDD, which is yet to take any action on the situation in the city. "The report of the DoT-appointed inter-ministerial committee is with the UDD.
The decision is pending. Since the matter of allowing structures on terrace is under the purview of the UDD, revised rules and regulations are expected," said an official from the health department.
The report (which MiD DAY accessed) recommends limiting the installation of cell tower antennae in the vicinity of schools, hospitals and playground. It goes on to propose a comprehensive study on the radiation effects.
But experts are convinced of the damage it causes to the human body (see box)
Currently antennae and structures are built on terraces by obtaining permissions from the BMC's Building Proposal Department.
But following DoT's report, UDD is expected to revise the norms of allowing antennae atop housing societies soon.
Money matters
A primary concern with installing the towers on housing societies is the economics involved.
Lured by big kickbacks from service providers, residential buildings are allowing cellular service providers to install the antennae in exchange for hefty rental charges, risking the lives of inhabitants and neighbours, experts said.
On an average, any small society can accommodate 3-6 providers at one base station, easily making up to Rs 10-20 lakh a year.
Mobile service providers hire an independent agency to install and maintain GSM antennae on buildings. They identify potential sites to install radio base stations.
The establishment that hosts the antennae gets a rent of Rs 2-5 lakh a year, depending on the agreement, the locality and subscriber base in the vicinity.
Ratna Deep Society's Sharma didn't disclose the amount the society receives from providers, but did mention that it is meager.
Radiation risks
Professor Girish Kumar, an IIT-Bombay professor researching the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation for 30 years, said, "The microwave radiation effect can be classified as thermal and non-thermal.
Symptoms of thermal effect include fatigue, cataract, and reduced mental concentration. Effects of non-thermal are sadly ignored, since the current exposure safety standards are solely based on the thermal effect."
Installation
Since independent agencies install antennae for several service providers, a housing society gets rent from each service provider independently.
The installing agency takes care of everything including the power arrangements, civil and structural works.
Following the advance payment, a long-term agreement is signed with the society and access to that portion of the terrace is restricted.
Officials speak
Officials have been vague when it comes to addressing the situation.
"The study of radiation from cellular antennae and mobile handsets is still going on and we haven't reached any conclusion on its ill-effects," said a TRAI advisor.
Dr D S Dakhure, director, Medical Services of Maharshtra, said, "Is there any such tower on any government hospital? Anyway, I am busy with the Monsoon Session of the Assembly."
The Other Side
"MTNL installs and maintains antennae for GSM cellular services in the city. The maximum limit of radiation is 20 watts and is never exceeded.
All the antennae are safe and a report on the radiation level is submitted to the DoT regularly," said a spokesperson for MTNL, which has several cell antennae in the city.
Indus Towers Limited, a leading installation company, has set up over 10,000 towers across the nation. One of its officials said, "The towers installed by Indus Towers are very much safe."
Hotspots
Housing societies in areas like Malabar Hill and Colaba in the island city, and Ghatkopar and Andheri in the suburbs can fetch the highest amount of revenue through tower installation deals with cellular service providers
Link: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/jul/270711-Santacruz-BCJ-hospital-mobile-towers-Ratna-Deep-CHS.htm
Fearing radiation hazards, Santacruz hospital sends notice to neighbouring building, whose terrace is packed with mobile towers
The mushrooming of cellular antennae in residential areas, and the potential health risks they pose by emitting radiation incessantly, have come under the scanner again, this time from a hospital in Santacruz.
The BCJ Hospital and Asha Parekh Research Centre, contiguous with the Ratna Deep Cooperative Housing Society (CHS), has sent a notice to it, asking for the cell towers on its rooftop to be removed.
The hospital authorities believe that if the persistent radiation level is not controlled, it can imperil patients in critical care, whose immune systems are already weak.
N A Mulla, director of the hospital's administration, said, "Our hospital caters to low income group patients and their safety is our utmost priority. We will ask the societies concerned to shift the cell towers if they are found to be dangerous."
The facility's management sent the notice to the adjoining society on SV Road yesterday. The chairman of the society was not available for comment.
But Narendra Sharma, a member of the CHS, received the hospital's letter. "Some of the towers were installed 8-9 years ago by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.
The rest are by other service providers. If found unsafe, I will request society members to remove them," Sharma said.
There are 21 flats in this small society and several GSM antennae have been installed on the building's roof.
'Check sprouting towers'
The hospital's objections come in the backdrop of a report submitted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to the state health department and the Urban Development Department (UDD) on radiation risks.
The DoT, concerned with the progressively growing number of such antennae accompanied by the increasing subscriber base of cellphone operators, had appointed a committee of ministers to look into the issue.
At last count, there were around 4,000 cell towers across the city, transmitting radio frequencies round the clock.
The Health Department received the report and has forwarded it to the UDD, which is yet to take any action on the situation in the city. "The report of the DoT-appointed inter-ministerial committee is with the UDD.
The decision is pending. Since the matter of allowing structures on terrace is under the purview of the UDD, revised rules and regulations are expected," said an official from the health department.
The report (which MiD DAY accessed) recommends limiting the installation of cell tower antennae in the vicinity of schools, hospitals and playground. It goes on to propose a comprehensive study on the radiation effects.
But experts are convinced of the damage it causes to the human body (see box)
Currently antennae and structures are built on terraces by obtaining permissions from the BMC's Building Proposal Department.
But following DoT's report, UDD is expected to revise the norms of allowing antennae atop housing societies soon.
Money matters
A primary concern with installing the towers on housing societies is the economics involved.
Lured by big kickbacks from service providers, residential buildings are allowing cellular service providers to install the antennae in exchange for hefty rental charges, risking the lives of inhabitants and neighbours, experts said.
On an average, any small society can accommodate 3-6 providers at one base station, easily making up to Rs 10-20 lakh a year.
Mobile service providers hire an independent agency to install and maintain GSM antennae on buildings. They identify potential sites to install radio base stations.
The establishment that hosts the antennae gets a rent of Rs 2-5 lakh a year, depending on the agreement, the locality and subscriber base in the vicinity.
Ratna Deep Society's Sharma didn't disclose the amount the society receives from providers, but did mention that it is meager.
Radiation risks
Professor Girish Kumar, an IIT-Bombay professor researching the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation for 30 years, said, "The microwave radiation effect can be classified as thermal and non-thermal.
Symptoms of thermal effect include fatigue, cataract, and reduced mental concentration. Effects of non-thermal are sadly ignored, since the current exposure safety standards are solely based on the thermal effect."
Installation
Since independent agencies install antennae for several service providers, a housing society gets rent from each service provider independently.
The installing agency takes care of everything including the power arrangements, civil and structural works.
Following the advance payment, a long-term agreement is signed with the society and access to that portion of the terrace is restricted.
Officials speak
Officials have been vague when it comes to addressing the situation.
"The study of radiation from cellular antennae and mobile handsets is still going on and we haven't reached any conclusion on its ill-effects," said a TRAI advisor.
Dr D S Dakhure, director, Medical Services of Maharshtra, said, "Is there any such tower on any government hospital? Anyway, I am busy with the Monsoon Session of the Assembly."
The Other Side
"MTNL installs and maintains antennae for GSM cellular services in the city. The maximum limit of radiation is 20 watts and is never exceeded.
All the antennae are safe and a report on the radiation level is submitted to the DoT regularly," said a spokesperson for MTNL, which has several cell antennae in the city.
Indus Towers Limited, a leading installation company, has set up over 10,000 towers across the nation. One of its officials said, "The towers installed by Indus Towers are very much safe."
Hotspots
Housing societies in areas like Malabar Hill and Colaba in the island city, and Ghatkopar and Andheri in the suburbs can fetch the highest amount of revenue through tower installation deals with cellular service providers
Link: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/jul/270711-Santacruz-BCJ-hospital-mobile-towers-Ratna-Deep-CHS.htm
Friday, July 15, 2011
Prof. Olle Johansson on the Dangers of Smart Meters
Olle Johansson - Warning of the Dangers of Smart Metersby Paris08, Friday, July 15, 2011, 11:16 (20 hours, 55 minutes ago)
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Department of Neuroscience
Experimental Dermatology Unit
Stockholm, July 9, 2011
Cc Susan Brinchman, Director, Center for Electrosmog Prevention, P.O. Box 655, La Mesa, CA 91944-0655, USA
To: The California Public Utilities Commission,
I understand that you at present are concerned about the fast deployment of smart meters on homes in California, without adequate sharing of information with the public.
I work as an associate professor at the Karolinska Institute; we are world-famous for our Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which we many times have awarded to your fellow countrymen and –women. I also uphold a professorship at the Royal Institute of Technology; it being closely tied to the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry. For many years I have been studying health effects of wireless gadgets, such as Smart Meters.
Wireless communication is now being implemented in our daily life in a very fast way. At the same time, it is becoming more and more obvious that the exposure to electromagnetic fields may result in highly unwanted health effects. This has been demonstrated in a very large number of studies and includes cellular DNA-damage (which may lead to an initiation of cancer as well as mutations that carry down generations), disruptions and alterations of cellular functions like increases in intracellular stimulatory pathways and calcium handling, disruption of tissue structures like the blood-brain barrier (which may allow toxins to enter the brain), impact on vessel and immune functions, and loss of fertility. It should be noted that we are not the only species at jeopardy, practically all animals and plants may be at stake.
Because the effects are reproducibly observed and links to pathology can not be excluded, the precautionary principle should be in force in the implementation of this new technology within the society. Therefore, policy makers immediately should strictly control exposure by defining biologically-based maximal exposure guidelines also taking into account long-term, non-thermal effects, and including especially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, the ill, the genetically and/or immunologically challenged, children and fetuses, and persons with the functional impairment electrohypersensitivity (which in Sweden is a fully recognized functional impairment, and therefore receives an annual governmental disability subsidy).
Prompted by all this, a group of international experts recently published a very important paper, The Seletun Scientific Statement (2011). Among its points are:
* 1) Low-intensity (non-thermal) bioeffects and adverse health effects are demonstrated at levels significantly below existing exposure standards.
* 2) ICNIRP/WHO and IEEE/FCC public safety limits are inadequate and obsolete with respect to prolonged, low-intensity exposures.
* 3) New, biologically-based public exposure standards are urgently needed to protect public health world-wide.
* 4) EMR exposures should be reduced now rather than waiting for proof of harm before acting. It is not in the public interest to wait.
* 5) There is a need for mandatory pre-market assessments of emissions and risks before deployment of new wireless technologies. There should be convincing evidence that products do not cause health harm before marketing.
* 6) The use of telephone lines (land-lines) or fiber optic cables for SmartGrid type energy conservation infrastructure is recommended. Utilities should choose options that do not create new, community-wide exposures from wireless components of SmartGrid-type projects. Future health risks from prolonged or repetitive wireless exposures of SmartGrid-type systems may be avoided by using fiber-optic cable. Energy conservation is endorsed but not at the risk of exposing millions of families in their homes to a new, involuntary source of wireless radiofrequency radiation, the effect of which on their health not yet known
Many smart meters are close to beds, ... These wireless systems are never off, and the exposure is not voluntary. ...
The recent determination of the World Health Organization (WHO) to include radiofrequency radiation on the 2B list of carcinogens also applies to devices such as smart meters. Already September 4, 2008, the European Parliament voted 522 to 16 to recommend tighter safety standards for cell phones ...
With my very best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Olle Johansson, Assoc. Prof.
The Experimental Dermatology Unit,
Department of Neuroscience,
Karolinska Institute,
171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
&
Professor,
The Royal Institute of Technology,
100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
To read the complete letter go to:
http://electromagnetichealth.org/electromagnetic-health-blog/letter-johansson-smart-meters/
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Juhi Chawla worried about radiation from mobile towers on govt guesthouse
Mumbai, July 02, 2011 - Hindustan Times
Link to article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid-news/mumbai/Actor-worried-about-radiation-from-mobile-towers-on-govt-guesthouse/Article1-716321.aspx
Mumbai, July 03, 2011 - Hindustan Times
Link to article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/mumbai/Actor-s-house-vulnerable-to-radiation/Article1-716663.aspx
‘Actor’s house vulnerable to radiation’ - Hindustan Times
Link to article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid-news/mumbai/Actor-worried-about-radiation-from-mobile-towers-on-govt-guesthouse/Article1-716321.aspx
Mumbai, July 03, 2011 - Hindustan Times
Link to article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/mumbai/Actor-s-house-vulnerable-to-radiation/Article1-716663.aspx
‘Actor’s house vulnerable to radiation’ - Hindustan Times
Friday, June 24, 2011
MOBILE PHONE & TOWER RADIATION HAZARDS - Council For Fair Business Practices (CFBP)
Council For Fair Business Practices (CFBP) organized seminar on "MOBILE PHONE & TOWER RADIATION" on Friday 24th June, 2011 at 06.00 p.m at the Hall of Indian Merchants Chamber, Churchgate, Mumbai 400 020.
Below is presentation by Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay:
MOBILE PHONE & TOWER RADIATION HAZARDS
Media Coverage : The Free Press Journal June 28, 2011 - The Free Press: Mobile tower radiation can cause serious harm, says IIT don
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Juhi Chawla: Radiation from Sahyadri Guesthouse is cancer risk to Malabar Hill residents
A few months ago, worried about the cell towers bristling over the Sahyadri Government Guest House opposite her Malabar Hill residence, actor-producer Juhi Chawla had an independent audit conducted to assess the levels of Electro Magnetic Radiation around her house. “The report was startling,” said the bubbly actor, speaking at a prominent business chamber in the city some months ago. “The radiation levels were higher than the extreme high end of 2000 megawatt per square metre all around my house! This is a cause for concern, not only for my family, but also for all the people living in Malabar Hill. Of course there are similar neighbourhoods throughout the city! I have sent a letter to our Member of Parliament Milind Deora about this problem, and I ask you all to do something to address this serious problem,” she said. She added that safe limits recognized for such radiation was less than 600 MW/sq m.The auditor, CTIL Techno Solutions Ltd, reported that radio frequency (RF) readings indicated “strong anomaly” i.e. 1000 to 1999 MW/sq m and “extreme anomaly” i.e. Over 2000 MW/sq m around her apartment, and recommended the use of anti-radiation wallpapers and films to minimize exposure. Standards of the International Commission for Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) were applied for making these measurements and recommendations.
Juhi Chawla mentioned how seeing a huge cluster of cellphone towers near Haji Ali Juice Center – a popular South-Bombay hangout -- had made her extremely uncomfortable about how we were living our lives, unmindful of the risks.
At the meeting, however, there were business leaders present, who played down the urgency of the issue, and advocated a slow-slowly approach. It was clear that the loss of business opportunities was a bigger concern to them than cancer risks faced by the common man, and the extinction of keystone species disrupting the ecological balance of the entire region.
From an RTI activist’s point of view, I am putting things into public domain, so that they are known and discussed. We all are aware of the numbers of cell towers multiplying on building terraces and also traffic flyovers. I happen to know that a majority of these towers are not duly licensed by the municipal corporation. A lot of work is required to be done in this area.
In December 2010, Prof. Girish Kumar of IIT Powai, submitted a DETAILED REPORT ON CELLTOWER RADIATION TO DEPTT. OF TELECOM: http://tinyurl.com/Report2DOT-Celltower-radiation
“We had developed radiation shield to absorb undesired radiation but instead of promoting our product, we tried to convince Govt of India to adopt better radiation norms as in India. We had adopted worst radiation norm in the world. Finally, Inter-ministerial report has come and they admitted that there are several health problems due to cell tower radiation,” he says.
UNION INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT ON RADIATION LEVELS: http://tinyurl.com/Inter-ministerial-cmtee-Report
“If we adopt better Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) norms, then you do not have to get the radiation measurement done and also no shielding will be required (will save lots of money for all of you and protect the entire country, human beings, birds, animals, plants, trees, environment, etc).” he adds. His report has a lot of details about how sparrows, bees and other sensitive species are rapidly going extinct due to concentration of cell towers.
Besides being Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of IIT Mumbai, Prof. Girish runs Wilcom Technologies Pvt. Ltd. which is an IIT- incubated company. His Contact details:
IIT: (022) 2576 7436, Fax - (022) 2572 3707 email- gkumar@ee.iitb.ac.in
Wilcom Technologies: (022) 2784 1340, Fax - (022) 2784 1325
email - prof.gkumar@gmail.com Website: www.wilcom.co.in
Besides Prof. Girish, there are two other points at which a journalist or rti activist can get details of EMR RADIATION READINGS & CELLPHONE CONCENTRATIONS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF MUMBAI, DELHI etc:
• CTIL Techno-Solutions, a Delhi based company, which undertakes research into radiation levels for private individuals. (See this press release: http://tinyurl.com/Celltower-CTIL-PressRelease )
• Its associated company Cogent EMR Solutions Limited (Okhla) 01140506400 (Azadpur) 01127217402
Other Recommended reading material:
1. Exposure Guidelines in various countries: http://tinyurl.com/Celltower-exposure-guidelines
2. Greenpeace India report on Celltowers’ dependence on subsidized Diesel in rural areas: http://tinyurl.com/Celltower-use-subsidy-Diesel
Report by:
Krishnaraj Rao
98215 88114
Link: http://www.groundreportindia.com/2011/06/juhi-chawla-radiation-from-sahyadri.html#links
http://blogs.rediff.com/thebravepedestrian/2011/06/17/juhi-chawla-radiation-from-sahyadri-guesthouse-is-cancer-risk-to-malabar-hill-residents/
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Presentation on Cell tower Radiation Hazard - By Prof Girish Kumar, Electrical Engineering Department I.I.T.
Presentation on Cell tower Radiation Hazard at DJ sanghvi college, an
Engineering College in Mumbai. Edited version of the video in 2 parts
By Prof Girish Kumar, Electrical Engineering Department I.I.T. Bombay, Powai, Mumbai - 400076, INDIA
Engineering College in Mumbai. Edited version of the video in 2 parts
By Prof Girish Kumar, Electrical Engineering Department I.I.T. Bombay, Powai, Mumbai - 400076, INDIA
Inform public about health hazard of mobile towers: Punjab and Haryana High Court to Govt and mobile companies
Inform public about health hazard of mobile towers: HC to Govt
Chandigarh
Indian Express - Jun 08 2011
Raghav Ohri
Expressing concern over the effects of radiation from mobile towers installed in residential areas, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that it is the duty of the government and mobile companies to inform residents about the harmful effects. A division bench ruled the government will be duty bound to inform the public living where a mobile tower is to be erected, about the “amount of radiation it will emit” and its harmful effects thereof on the health of people. The information will have to be supplied in the shape of a public notice, the court ruled, before the mobile tower is erected. The HC also directed the companies in the business of installing mobile towers to do the same.
The directions were passed on an appeal by M/s Wireless TT Info Services Limited and another which had moved the HC against Haryana, challenging the validity of Haryana Municipal (erection of communication towers) by-laws, 2009. HC has upheld by-laws. The petitioner had challenged the levy of tax, terming it unreasonable.
Making it clear that "there is no absolute right to carry on any business, the Bench ruled that it (business) is always subject to reasonable restriction and regulation", and highlighted the damage being caused due to the radiation originating from mobile towers. "It will be the duty of the local authorities to issue a public notice for information of all concerned where the permission for erection of a tower is being considered or granted to apprise the public as to what amount of radiation it will emit and the effect thereof on the health of the people living in the area," read the judgment.
The HC held that "the mobile emit signals in the form of radio waves. It is also feared that the radio waves can cause changes to the cells in our brain. If the DNA in the brain cells gets damaged, they may become cancerous and cause brain tumours. It is also feared that the radio waves can alter chemical and electrical reactions in our brain, changing, in effect, the way the brain cells communicate. Studies conducted have revealed that sparrows have declined in the most contaminated electromagnetic fields".
Link - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Inform-public-about-health-hazard-of-mobile-towers--HC-to-Govt/800786/
Chandigarh
Indian Express - Jun 08 2011
Raghav Ohri
Expressing concern over the effects of radiation from mobile towers installed in residential areas, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that it is the duty of the government and mobile companies to inform residents about the harmful effects. A division bench ruled the government will be duty bound to inform the public living where a mobile tower is to be erected, about the “amount of radiation it will emit” and its harmful effects thereof on the health of people. The information will have to be supplied in the shape of a public notice, the court ruled, before the mobile tower is erected. The HC also directed the companies in the business of installing mobile towers to do the same.
The directions were passed on an appeal by M/s Wireless TT Info Services Limited and another which had moved the HC against Haryana, challenging the validity of Haryana Municipal (erection of communication towers) by-laws, 2009. HC has upheld by-laws. The petitioner had challenged the levy of tax, terming it unreasonable.
Making it clear that "there is no absolute right to carry on any business, the Bench ruled that it (business) is always subject to reasonable restriction and regulation", and highlighted the damage being caused due to the radiation originating from mobile towers. "It will be the duty of the local authorities to issue a public notice for information of all concerned where the permission for erection of a tower is being considered or granted to apprise the public as to what amount of radiation it will emit and the effect thereof on the health of the people living in the area," read the judgment.
The HC held that "the mobile emit signals in the form of radio waves. It is also feared that the radio waves can cause changes to the cells in our brain. If the DNA in the brain cells gets damaged, they may become cancerous and cause brain tumours. It is also feared that the radio waves can alter chemical and electrical reactions in our brain, changing, in effect, the way the brain cells communicate. Studies conducted have revealed that sparrows have declined in the most contaminated electromagnetic fields".
Link - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Inform-public-about-health-hazard-of-mobile-towers--HC-to-Govt/800786/
Monday, June 13, 2011
Doctors warn of mobile radiation
The Hindu - NEW DELHI, June 13, 2011
Welcome proposal of declaration of radiation levels on handsets
Close on the heels of an inter-ministerial group recently proposing mandatory declaration of radiation levels on each mobile handset, doctors in the city have welcomed the move.
“It is essential that people realise that there is the danger of exposure to radiation and create awareness about it,” said Dr. Anita Khokhar, professor at the Department of Community Medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital
The inter-ministerial group was set up to evaluate the evidence of the negative health-related effects of radiation emitted by mobile phones and towers. The group has submitted its report to the Government in which it has proposed, among other things, mandatory declaration of radiation levels on each mobile handset. It has also proposed a revision of the limit of 2 watts per kilogramme averaged over 10 gram tissue to 1.6 watts per kilogramme.
The report has been placed on the Internet for public comments and suggestions.
“People rarely realise the importance of being aware about the problem of exposure to radiation but the fact that the Government is now acknowledging that there might be a problem and that there is a need to look into it is a positive step forward,” added Dr. Khokhar.
In the case of mobile towers, the group has recommended radiation norms which are ten times as strict as the existing ones -- from f/200 watts per square metre to f/2000 watts per square metre.
“There has been the confusion about radiation and its harmful effects. Doctors have been advising people against very young children being allowed to use cell phones for long hours and even adults being exposed to its radiation due to over-use. Though there are no decisive studies about its ill effects, it is essential to warn people. And while an authoritative study about the extent of negative health effects would still take time it would be better to avoid overexposure,” said a senior official at Indian Council of Medical Research.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article2100062.ece - The Hindu : NATIONAL / NEW DELHI : Doctors warn of mobile radiation
Welcome proposal of declaration of radiation levels on handsets
Close on the heels of an inter-ministerial group recently proposing mandatory declaration of radiation levels on each mobile handset, doctors in the city have welcomed the move.
“It is essential that people realise that there is the danger of exposure to radiation and create awareness about it,” said Dr. Anita Khokhar, professor at the Department of Community Medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital
The inter-ministerial group was set up to evaluate the evidence of the negative health-related effects of radiation emitted by mobile phones and towers. The group has submitted its report to the Government in which it has proposed, among other things, mandatory declaration of radiation levels on each mobile handset. It has also proposed a revision of the limit of 2 watts per kilogramme averaged over 10 gram tissue to 1.6 watts per kilogramme.
The report has been placed on the Internet for public comments and suggestions.
“People rarely realise the importance of being aware about the problem of exposure to radiation but the fact that the Government is now acknowledging that there might be a problem and that there is a need to look into it is a positive step forward,” added Dr. Khokhar.
In the case of mobile towers, the group has recommended radiation norms which are ten times as strict as the existing ones -- from f/200 watts per square metre to f/2000 watts per square metre.
“There has been the confusion about radiation and its harmful effects. Doctors have been advising people against very young children being allowed to use cell phones for long hours and even adults being exposed to its radiation due to over-use. Though there are no decisive studies about its ill effects, it is essential to warn people. And while an authoritative study about the extent of negative health effects would still take time it would be better to avoid overexposure,” said a senior official at Indian Council of Medical Research.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article2100062.ece - The Hindu : NATIONAL / NEW DELHI : Doctors warn of mobile radiation
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Towering Problem
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 16 November, 2010
The DoT will start a random check of the radiation levels of telecom towers all over the country,
though the extent of the damage is still being debated.
The DoT will start a random check of the radiation levels of telecom towers all over the country,
though the extent of the damage is still being debated.
Cellphone tower making you ill? Write to the govt
Cellphone tower making you ill? Write to the govt
6th June 2010, Mumbai mirror
SANTOSH ANDHALE
6th June 2010, Mumbai mirror
SANTOSH ANDHALE
15 cancer cases near mobile towers
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
Hindustan Times, 3.2.2011, Page 6
In the past five years, more than 15 housewives living in Sher-e-Punjab colony in Andheri (East) have suffered from various forms of cancer. Although there is no proof of a direct link, residents are drawing parallels between the appearance of the first cancer case and the installation of the first mobile phone tower in the society nearly seven years ago.
Hindustan Times, 3.2.2011, Page 6
In the past five years, more than 15 housewives living in Sher-e-Punjab colony in Andheri (East) have suffered from various forms of cancer. Although there is no proof of a direct link, residents are drawing parallels between the appearance of the first cancer case and the installation of the first mobile phone tower in the society nearly seven years ago.
In cell phone manufacturers own words!
Especially for all Blackberry and iPhone users - The manual says it all!
Blackberry Bold 9700 Safety and Product information guide. Page 18. It says "keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 in. (25 mm) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."
Complete manual can be viewed at - http://docs.blackberry.com/en/smartphone_users/deliverables/11261/BlackBerry_Bold_9700_Smartphone-US.pdf
iPhone 4 Product Guide - "keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body.." Page 6.
Manual available at - http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPhone_4_Important_Product_Information_Guide.pdf
We hope since the handset manufactures are well aware of this problem themselves , in future they pay more attention in this aspect, invest in better technology and come up with a better product.
Blackberry Bold 9700 Safety and Product information guide. Page 18. It says "keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 in. (25 mm) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."
Complete manual can be viewed at - http://docs.blackberry.com/en/smartphone_users/deliverables/11261/BlackBerry_Bold_9700_Smartphone-US.pdf
iPhone 4 Product Guide - "keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body.." Page 6.
Manual available at - http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPhone_4_Important_Product_Information_Guide.pdf
We hope since the handset manufactures are well aware of this problem themselves , in future they pay more attention in this aspect, invest in better technology and come up with a better product.
Monday, June 6, 2011
State to nix cell towers on schools, hospitals
Times of India - 7 June 2011, Page 1
Mumbai: Taking a cue from the widespread concern about mobile towers installed on school and hospital buildings, the Maharashtra government is all set to amend the Development Control (DC) Rules in this regard. Of the 1,600 mobile towers in Mumbai, nearly 500 (or 30%) are atop schools and hospitals. The remaining are on private or commercial buildings. “Since fears have been expressed about the radiation from mobile towers, we are readying to remove them from school and hospital buildings,” a senior official told TOI on Monday. “Once the DC rules are amended, it will be mandatory for the operators to remove the towers within six months.”
As per the proposed amendment, the operator will have to submit a certificate stating that the emission is within the permissible level and an undertaking that the existing tower will be removed within six months. “New Delhi has already imposed stringent restrictions on mobile towers. We have proposed that they should be at least six metres away from a school or hospital and that the radar should not face the school or hospital,” the official said. The proposed measures will be implemented by the concerned civic corporation.
Mumbai: Taking a cue from the widespread concern about mobile towers installed on school and hospital buildings, the Maharashtra government is all set to amend the Development Control (DC) Rules in this regard. Of the 1,600 mobile towers in Mumbai, nearly 500 (or 30%) are atop schools and hospitals. The remaining are on private or commercial buildings. “Since fears have been expressed about the radiation from mobile towers, we are readying to remove them from school and hospital buildings,” a senior official told TOI on Monday. “Once the DC rules are amended, it will be mandatory for the operators to remove the towers within six months.”
As per the proposed amendment, the operator will have to submit a certificate stating that the emission is within the permissible level and an undertaking that the existing tower will be removed within six months. “New Delhi has already imposed stringent restrictions on mobile towers. We have proposed that they should be at least six metres away from a school or hospital and that the radar should not face the school or hospital,” the official said. The proposed measures will be implemented by the concerned civic corporation.
Prof. Girish Kumar to help Kolkata city to tackle radiation
IIT expert to help city tackle tower radiation - The Bengal Post, Sunday May 15 2011, Page 5
Subhankar Chowdhury
With fears being raised on the effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone towers on the health of humans, an expert from IIT has approached the West Bengalpollution control board and offered his help in tackling the problem. According to a recent report of the PCB, the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the city has been increasing and could pose a health hazard to residents.
In a bid to deal with the problem effetively, Girish Kumar, a professor of IIT Bombay, who is also a researcher in the field, wrote to the board on Friday, offering to share his expertise with the board in tackling the menance.
Subhankar Chowdhury
With fears being raised on the effects of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone towers on the health of humans, an expert from IIT has approached the West Bengalpollution control board and offered his help in tackling the problem. According to a recent report of the PCB, the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the city has been increasing and could pose a health hazard to residents.
In a bid to deal with the problem effetively, Girish Kumar, a professor of IIT Bombay, who is also a researcher in the field, wrote to the board on Friday, offering to share his expertise with the board in tackling the menance.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
No mobile towers near high density residential areas, schools, playgrounds & hospitals + stricter norms + mandatory SAR on handset
Telcos scurry to conform to norms - Times of India - June 5, 2011
NEW DELHI: Indian telecom companies are scurrying to conform to the government's stipulated health norms in light of growing evidence on the cancerous nature of cellphone radiation.
There has been an amendment in the Access Service Licenses — mandating self-certification radiation levels of cellphone towers — to ensure compliance with WHO-endorsed guidelines of International Commission for Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The stricture led 5, 88,645 out of 6, 05,859 base stations to get self-certification till March 31, 2011.
Speaking to TOI, Union minister of state for communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot said non-compliance to the stipulated radiation limits carries a penalty of Rs five lakh for every mobile tower.
Talking on the cellphone could cause a malignant form of brain cancer, said International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently. It classified radiation emanating from cellphones alongside gasoline engine exhaust, lead and DDT as "possibly carcinogenic to humans".
IARC said, "The WHO/IARC has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use."
Pilot said, "We are not going to compromise with radiation limits since it has health-related concerns. The department of telecommunications set up an Inter Ministerial Group in August, 2010, to evaluate the evidence, revisit radiation guidelines for mobile towers and adopt guidelines for radiation emission by cell phones. This group has recommended radiation limits more stringent than that of the United Nations."
He added, "We had called for self certification of all mobile towers. Almost 90% of the towers have completed doing so. We have extended their time frame for six more months. However, the radiation limits they are complying to are the old ones. Once new compliance levels kick in, finalized by the Department of Telecom (DoT), they will have to conform to them too."
The Inter Ministerial Group in its report made some salient recommendations about mobile handsets. The group proposed revising the limit of 2 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams tissue to 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over 1 gram tissue. It also called for mandatory declaration of radiation level on each mobile handset. As far as mobile towers are concerned they recommended radiation norms which are ten times as strict as the existing ones- from f/200 watts per square meter to f/2000 watts per square meter.
The group said mobile towers should not be installed near high density residential areas, schools, playgrounds and hospitals.
"The localized specific absorption rate (SAR) value as per the Indian guidelines is 2 watt per kg, averaged over a six minute period and using a 10 gram average mass. With higher SAR — a measure of the amount of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body while using a phone of mobile handsets — the public could potentially receive much higher radiofrequency exposure. We have recommended that SAR levels to be lowered to 1.6 watt/kg, as prescribed by the Federal Communication Commission of US," said experts.
Girish Kumar, professor in department of electrical engineering at IIT Bombay, whose research on hazards of cellphone use was taken as a reference for the committee decision, said, "There is a 40% increase in the risk of brain cancer among teenagers using cell phones for long periods. The younger the child, the deeper is the penetration of electromagnetic radiation as children's skulls are thinner."
Another Jawaharlal Nehru University study found that the exposure to radiation from mobile towers and cellphones could have an adverse impact on male fertility and pose health hazards by depleting the defence mechanism of cells. The report also suggested that children, adolescents and pregnant women should avoid excessive use of cellphones. People should use hands-free technologies to minimize the contact of the head with cellphone. "People having active medical implants should keep their cellphone at least 30 cm away from the implant," it added.
Related links:
(1) Stricter radiation emission guidelines soon: Sachin Pilot - http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2077205.ece
(2) Telcos scurry to conform to norms - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Telcos-scurry-to-conform-to-norms/articleshow/8730447.cms
NEW DELHI: Indian telecom companies are scurrying to conform to the government's stipulated health norms in light of growing evidence on the cancerous nature of cellphone radiation.There has been an amendment in the Access Service Licenses — mandating self-certification radiation levels of cellphone towers — to ensure compliance with WHO-endorsed guidelines of International Commission for Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The stricture led 5, 88,645 out of 6, 05,859 base stations to get self-certification till March 31, 2011.
Speaking to TOI, Union minister of state for communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot said non-compliance to the stipulated radiation limits carries a penalty of Rs five lakh for every mobile tower.
Talking on the cellphone could cause a malignant form of brain cancer, said International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently. It classified radiation emanating from cellphones alongside gasoline engine exhaust, lead and DDT as "possibly carcinogenic to humans".
IARC said, "The WHO/IARC has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use."
Pilot said, "We are not going to compromise with radiation limits since it has health-related concerns. The department of telecommunications set up an Inter Ministerial Group in August, 2010, to evaluate the evidence, revisit radiation guidelines for mobile towers and adopt guidelines for radiation emission by cell phones. This group has recommended radiation limits more stringent than that of the United Nations."
He added, "We had called for self certification of all mobile towers. Almost 90% of the towers have completed doing so. We have extended their time frame for six more months. However, the radiation limits they are complying to are the old ones. Once new compliance levels kick in, finalized by the Department of Telecom (DoT), they will have to conform to them too."
The Inter Ministerial Group in its report made some salient recommendations about mobile handsets. The group proposed revising the limit of 2 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams tissue to 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over 1 gram tissue. It also called for mandatory declaration of radiation level on each mobile handset. As far as mobile towers are concerned they recommended radiation norms which are ten times as strict as the existing ones- from f/200 watts per square meter to f/2000 watts per square meter.
The group said mobile towers should not be installed near high density residential areas, schools, playgrounds and hospitals.
"The localized specific absorption rate (SAR) value as per the Indian guidelines is 2 watt per kg, averaged over a six minute period and using a 10 gram average mass. With higher SAR — a measure of the amount of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body while using a phone of mobile handsets — the public could potentially receive much higher radiofrequency exposure. We have recommended that SAR levels to be lowered to 1.6 watt/kg, as prescribed by the Federal Communication Commission of US," said experts.
Girish Kumar, professor in department of electrical engineering at IIT Bombay, whose research on hazards of cellphone use was taken as a reference for the committee decision, said, "There is a 40% increase in the risk of brain cancer among teenagers using cell phones for long periods. The younger the child, the deeper is the penetration of electromagnetic radiation as children's skulls are thinner."
Another Jawaharlal Nehru University study found that the exposure to radiation from mobile towers and cellphones could have an adverse impact on male fertility and pose health hazards by depleting the defence mechanism of cells. The report also suggested that children, adolescents and pregnant women should avoid excessive use of cellphones. People should use hands-free technologies to minimize the contact of the head with cellphone. "People having active medical implants should keep their cellphone at least 30 cm away from the implant," it added.
Related links:
(1) Stricter radiation emission guidelines soon: Sachin Pilot - http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2077205.ece
(2) Telcos scurry to conform to norms - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Telcos-scurry-to-conform-to-norms/articleshow/8730447.cms
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Cell phone use 'possibly carcinogenic'
Cell phones potentially linked to cancer [CBS News Online]
Neurosurgeon: 'Your Cell Phone Is Not Necessarily a Safe Device'
Behind the Science: Response to IARC Classification of Cell Phones as Possible Carcinogenic
Dr. Otis Brawley is the chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.
Neurosurgeon: 'Your Cell Phone Is Not Necessarily a Safe Device'
Behind the Science: Response to IARC Classification of Cell Phones as Possible Carcinogenic
Dr. Otis Brawley is the chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.
Mobile phone use may cause cancer: WHO
Jun 1, 2011 - Times of India
PARIS: Mobile phone users may be at increased risk from brain cancer and should use texting and free-hands devices to reduce exposure, the World Health Organisation's cancer experts said.
Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by such devices are "possibly carcinogenic to humans," the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced at the end of an eight-day meeting in Lyon, France.
Experts "reached this classification based on review of the human evidence coming from epidemiological studies" pointing to an increased incidence of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, said Jonathan Samet, president of the work group.
Two studies in particular, the largest conducted over the last decade, showed a higher risk "in those that had the most intensive use of such phones," he said in a telephone news conference.
Some individuals tracked in the studies had used their phones for an average of 30 minutes per day over a period of 10 years.
"We simply don't know what might happen as people use their phones over longer time periods, possibly over a lifetime," Samet said.
There are about five billion mobile phones registered in the world. The number of phones and the average time spent using them have both climbed steadily in recent years.
The CTIA-The Wireless Association dismissed the report saying the UN agency "conducts numerous reviews and in the past has given the same score to, for example, pickled vegetables and coffee."
This classification "does not mean cell phones cause cancer," the industry association said in a statement, noting that "limited evidence from statistical studies can be found even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results."
The IARC cautioned that current scientific evidence showed only a possible link, not a proven one, between wireless devices and cancers.
"There is some evidence of increased risk of glioma" and another form of non-malignant tumour called acoustic neuroma, said Kurt Straif, the scientist in charge of editing the IARC reports on potentially carcinogenic agents.
"But it is not at the moment clearly established that the use of mobile phones does in fact cause cancer in humans," he said.
The IARC does not issue formal recommendations, but experts pointed to a number of ways consumers can reduce risk.
"What probably entails some of the highest exposure is using your mobile for voice calls," Straif said.
"If you use it for texting, or as a hands-free set for voice calls, this is clearly lowering the exposure by at least an order of magnitude," or by tenfold, he said.
A year ago the IARC concluded that there was no link between cell phones and brain cancer, but that earlier report was criticised as based on data that was out of date.
The new review, conducted by a panel of 31 scientists from 14 countries, was reached on the basis of a "full consensus," said Robert Baan, in charge of the written report, yet to be released.
"This is the first scientific evaluation of all the literature published on the topic with regard to increased risk of cancer," he said.
But the panel stressed the need for more research, pointing to incomplete data, evolving technology and changing consumer habits.
"There's an improvement in the technology in terms of lower emissions but at the same time we see increased use, so it is hard to know how the two balance out," Baan noted.
The IARC ranks potentially cancer-causing elements as carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic or "probably not carcinogenic". It can also determine that a material is "not classifiable".
Cigarettes, sunbeds and asbestos, for example, fall in "Group 1", the top threat category. Cell phones now join glass wool and gasoline exhaust in Group 2B as "possibly carcinogenic".
Industry groups reacted cautiously, pointing to other common consumer items -- including coffee and vegetables pickled in chemicals -- that are included in the same category.
"In France, the health ministry already applies a precautionary approach to cellphones because it considers that no danger has been established, that doubts remain and, thus, that more research is needed," the French Federation of Telecoms said in a statement.
Some consumer advocacy groups said the new classification was overdue.
"As of today, no one can say the risk does not exist, and now everyone -- politicians, telecoms, employers, consumers and parents -- have to take this into account," said Janine Le Calvez, head of PRIARTEM, a consumer advocacy group concerned with cell phone safety.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Mobile-phone-use-may-cause-cancer-WHO/articleshow/8675730.cms
Jun 2, 2011,Times of India
High mobile use can cause brain cancer: WHO - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/High-mobile-use-can-cause-brain-cancer-WHO/articleshow/8686979.cms
PARIS: Mobile phone users may be at increased risk from brain cancer and should use texting and free-hands devices to reduce exposure, the World Health Organisation's cancer experts said.
Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by such devices are "possibly carcinogenic to humans," the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced at the end of an eight-day meeting in Lyon, France.
Experts "reached this classification based on review of the human evidence coming from epidemiological studies" pointing to an increased incidence of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, said Jonathan Samet, president of the work group.
Two studies in particular, the largest conducted over the last decade, showed a higher risk "in those that had the most intensive use of such phones," he said in a telephone news conference.
Some individuals tracked in the studies had used their phones for an average of 30 minutes per day over a period of 10 years.
"We simply don't know what might happen as people use their phones over longer time periods, possibly over a lifetime," Samet said.
There are about five billion mobile phones registered in the world. The number of phones and the average time spent using them have both climbed steadily in recent years.
The CTIA-The Wireless Association dismissed the report saying the UN agency "conducts numerous reviews and in the past has given the same score to, for example, pickled vegetables and coffee."
This classification "does not mean cell phones cause cancer," the industry association said in a statement, noting that "limited evidence from statistical studies can be found even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results."
The IARC cautioned that current scientific evidence showed only a possible link, not a proven one, between wireless devices and cancers.
"There is some evidence of increased risk of glioma" and another form of non-malignant tumour called acoustic neuroma, said Kurt Straif, the scientist in charge of editing the IARC reports on potentially carcinogenic agents.
"But it is not at the moment clearly established that the use of mobile phones does in fact cause cancer in humans," he said.
The IARC does not issue formal recommendations, but experts pointed to a number of ways consumers can reduce risk.
"What probably entails some of the highest exposure is using your mobile for voice calls," Straif said.
"If you use it for texting, or as a hands-free set for voice calls, this is clearly lowering the exposure by at least an order of magnitude," or by tenfold, he said.
A year ago the IARC concluded that there was no link between cell phones and brain cancer, but that earlier report was criticised as based on data that was out of date.
The new review, conducted by a panel of 31 scientists from 14 countries, was reached on the basis of a "full consensus," said Robert Baan, in charge of the written report, yet to be released.
"This is the first scientific evaluation of all the literature published on the topic with regard to increased risk of cancer," he said.
But the panel stressed the need for more research, pointing to incomplete data, evolving technology and changing consumer habits.
"There's an improvement in the technology in terms of lower emissions but at the same time we see increased use, so it is hard to know how the two balance out," Baan noted.
The IARC ranks potentially cancer-causing elements as carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic or "probably not carcinogenic". It can also determine that a material is "not classifiable".
Cigarettes, sunbeds and asbestos, for example, fall in "Group 1", the top threat category. Cell phones now join glass wool and gasoline exhaust in Group 2B as "possibly carcinogenic".
Industry groups reacted cautiously, pointing to other common consumer items -- including coffee and vegetables pickled in chemicals -- that are included in the same category.
"In France, the health ministry already applies a precautionary approach to cellphones because it considers that no danger has been established, that doubts remain and, thus, that more research is needed," the French Federation of Telecoms said in a statement.
Some consumer advocacy groups said the new classification was overdue.
"As of today, no one can say the risk does not exist, and now everyone -- politicians, telecoms, employers, consumers and parents -- have to take this into account," said Janine Le Calvez, head of PRIARTEM, a consumer advocacy group concerned with cell phone safety.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/telecom/Mobile-phone-use-may-cause-cancer-WHO/articleshow/8675730.cms
Jun 2, 2011,Times of India
High mobile use can cause brain cancer: WHO - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/High-mobile-use-can-cause-brain-cancer-WHO/articleshow/8686979.cms
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