Friday, March 25, 2011
Leter to TRAI official
From : A M JOSHI, ( retd. ) Wireless Adviser to the Govt. of India , Pune
To; Shri Mr. Lav Gupta, Principal Advisor (TD)
Dear Shri Gupta ji,
The TRAI has brought out an excellent and comprehensive Consultation Paper on Telecom Infrastrucutre Policy Issues. It is hoped that the TRAI Recommendations following the same will help the Govt. to rework its policies and guidelines to provide a fresh trigger for further acceleration of Telecom Sector's growth in India.
It is however, regretted that the questions reg. revision of norms / guidelines adopted by the DOT reg. EMF Radiation Health Hazards to public at large [ from Cell Phone Tower Radiations close to residential buildings and extensive use of cellphones ] and related issues have not been addressed by the TRAI Paper . This aspect has attracted attention globally , in recent years and in India , in particular giving rise to apprehensions in the minds of general public reg. health hazards resulting in cancer, brain tumours and other ailments .
Recently DoT released REPORT OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON EMF RADIATION which has recommended that the RF exposure limits in India [ based on ICNIRP Guidelines ] may be lowered to 1/10th of the existing level without explaining or justifying why they recommend 1/10th. Though this is a welcome first step in this direction , this issue needs Regulator's comprehensive consideration and attention . Many other countries have adopted still lower levels . The ICNIRP limits are based on 6 minutes exposure , while from Tower Radiation , the public is bombarded round the clock continuously. This aspect also needs to be examined.
In addition, the implementation mechanism for on site measurements for verification of any such limits has to be simple, quick and easily accessible to satisfy general public. This also needs to evolved in view large no. of Towers [ running into a few lakhs ] in the country .
You have also recommended in-building solutions. Some persons will be continuously exposed to radiation from in-building antennas for several hours per day because their working areas are in their main
lobe. What will be the effect on their health on short term and long term basis?
This question has not been raised anybody.
Hope that the TRAI will take up these issues also for serious consideration.
To; Shri Mr. Lav Gupta, Principal Advisor (TD)
Dear Shri Gupta ji,
The TRAI has brought out an excellent and comprehensive Consultation Paper on Telecom Infrastrucutre Policy Issues. It is hoped that the TRAI Recommendations following the same will help the Govt. to rework its policies and guidelines to provide a fresh trigger for further acceleration of Telecom Sector's growth in India.
It is however, regretted that the questions reg. revision of norms / guidelines adopted by the DOT reg. EMF Radiation Health Hazards to public at large [ from Cell Phone Tower Radiations close to residential buildings and extensive use of cellphones ] and related issues have not been addressed by the TRAI Paper . This aspect has attracted attention globally , in recent years and in India , in particular giving rise to apprehensions in the minds of general public reg. health hazards resulting in cancer, brain tumours and other ailments .
Recently DoT released REPORT OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON EMF RADIATION which has recommended that the RF exposure limits in India [ based on ICNIRP Guidelines ] may be lowered to 1/10th of the existing level without explaining or justifying why they recommend 1/10th. Though this is a welcome first step in this direction , this issue needs Regulator's comprehensive consideration and attention . Many other countries have adopted still lower levels . The ICNIRP limits are based on 6 minutes exposure , while from Tower Radiation , the public is bombarded round the clock continuously. This aspect also needs to be examined.
In addition, the implementation mechanism for on site measurements for verification of any such limits has to be simple, quick and easily accessible to satisfy general public. This also needs to evolved in view large no. of Towers [ running into a few lakhs ] in the country .
You have also recommended in-building solutions. Some persons will be continuously exposed to radiation from in-building antennas for several hours per day because their working areas are in their main
lobe. What will be the effect on their health on short term and long term basis?
This question has not been raised anybody.
Hope that the TRAI will take up these issues also for serious consideration.
With Best Wishes,
A.M.JOSHI
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
http://www.hindustantimes.com/BMC-to-survey-Andheri-colony-s-cellular-towers/Article1-658332.aspx
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
Worried over some residents from Andheri-based Sher-e-Punjab Colony being detected with cancer allegedly due to cellular towers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to survey of all towers in the colony to check if they possess the requisite civic licence. The Hindustan Times had, in June 2010, reported on how out of the total 3,489 recorded cell towers in the city, only 1,861 were legal. The rest 1,628 towers did not have the BMC’s sanctions.
Reacting to the HT reports, V Shankarwar, assistant municipal commissioner, K-East ward, said, “The cellphone towers need to seek permissions from our building and factory department. Our officials will survey the area to check if all of them have obtained those permissions.”
If the civic body finds that the towers do not possess the licence, they will face the axe.
Despite the long-existing question over the safety of the cellphone towers, the state is yet to form its rules with regards to the installation of these towers on residential buildings. Even the BMC, on the basis of studies, had claimed that there is no health hazard from cellphone towers.
Said a senior civic official: “As the matter is contentious, the municipal corporation can’t take any policy decision about the ill-effects of the celltower radiation.”
Reacting to the HT reports, V Shankarwar, assistant municipal commissioner, K-East ward, said, “The cellphone towers need to seek permissions from our building and factory department. Our officials will survey the area to check if all of them have obtained those permissions.”
If the civic body finds that the towers do not possess the licence, they will face the axe.
Despite the long-existing question over the safety of the cellphone towers, the state is yet to form its rules with regards to the installation of these towers on residential buildings. Even the BMC, on the basis of studies, had claimed that there is no health hazard from cellphone towers.
Said a senior civic official: “As the matter is contentious, the municipal corporation can’t take any policy decision about the ill-effects of the celltower radiation.”
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mobile-tower-radiation-fear-grips-Andheri-colony/Article1-657878.aspx
Mobile tower radiation fear grips Andheri colony
When Priya Aggarwal, 41, was detected with breast cancer in early 2007, she tried her best to make sure that it didn’t distract her son, Rohan, who was preparing for his Class 10 exams. But the Andheri resident couldn’t hide the affects of chemotherapy. One day Aggarwal came out of the bathroom, only to find a devastated Rohan staring at her nearly bald head. “He would keep saying ‘Why my mother?’, but nobody had an answer,” said Aggarwal.
She isn’t alone. 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.
According to Aggarwal, when she was first detected with cancer, her flat was right below a mobile tower. The family then rented another house in the colony. However, that too had a tower, thus forcing the family to move yet again.
The colony, housing more than 100 buildings, has a cluster of at least 8-10 towers spread atop three buildings. All these cancer victims reside within a 500-m radius of those towers.
Dr Parminder Bindra (name changed), a practising homeopath, was detected with ovarian cancer in June last year. “I’ve lived in this colony for more than 20 years. In the past, there had been only one case of cancer. The fact that all these cases happened only after these towers came up, and that too in a radius of 500m cannot be a coincidence,” said Dr Bindra.
Sixty-two-year-old Gurinder Gill (name changed) was detected with breast cancer in October last year. “It has been a traumatic experience for me, shattering me completely,” said Gill, who is now undergoing chemotherapy.
However, the victims know there isn’t enough proof to prove a link between mobile tower radiation and cancer.
IIT professor Girish Kumar, who has been studying electromagnetic field radiations, has pored over the details and even taken radiation readings at Dr Bindra’s house. “My question to the critics is how do you prove that these cases are not because of mobile tower radiation? Why have all the cases happened in the same colony? All these cases fall in the axis of the cell towers’ radiation. Is that also a coincidence?” he asked.
Neha Kumar, who has been studying the biological effects of mobile phone towers, said, “All these women don’t have any family history of cancer. Plus, all of them are within a certain radius of those mobile towers. All this is not a coincidence.”
Dr Ranjeet Bajpai, radiation oncologist at Hinduja Hospital, admits there is a problem. "But, we need a sound mechanism which can establish a more direct cause-effect relationship. However, there are studies to show that cell tower radiation has led to different types of brain tumours,” he said.
She isn’t alone. 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.
According to Aggarwal, when she was first detected with cancer, her flat was right below a mobile tower. The family then rented another house in the colony. However, that too had a tower, thus forcing the family to move yet again.
The colony, housing more than 100 buildings, has a cluster of at least 8-10 towers spread atop three buildings. All these cancer victims reside within a 500-m radius of those towers.
Dr Parminder Bindra (name changed), a practising homeopath, was detected with ovarian cancer in June last year. “I’ve lived in this colony for more than 20 years. In the past, there had been only one case of cancer. The fact that all these cases happened only after these towers came up, and that too in a radius of 500m cannot be a coincidence,” said Dr Bindra.
Sixty-two-year-old Gurinder Gill (name changed) was detected with breast cancer in October last year. “It has been a traumatic experience for me, shattering me completely,” said Gill, who is now undergoing chemotherapy.
However, the victims know there isn’t enough proof to prove a link between mobile tower radiation and cancer.
IIT professor Girish Kumar, who has been studying electromagnetic field radiations, has pored over the details and even taken radiation readings at Dr Bindra’s house. “My question to the critics is how do you prove that these cases are not because of mobile tower radiation? Why have all the cases happened in the same colony? All these cases fall in the axis of the cell towers’ radiation. Is that also a coincidence?” he asked.
Neha Kumar, who has been studying the biological effects of mobile phone towers, said, “All these women don’t have any family history of cancer. Plus, all of them are within a certain radius of those mobile towers. All this is not a coincidence.”
Dr Ranjeet Bajpai, radiation oncologist at Hinduja Hospital, admits there is a problem. "But, we need a sound mechanism which can establish a more direct cause-effect relationship. However, there are studies to show that cell tower radiation has led to different types of brain tumours,” he said.
India has worst radiation norms: report
India has worst radiation norms: report
Nikita
CNN-IBN
Mumbai: An Inter Ministerial Report submitted to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recommended the cutting down of mobile phone tower radiation by one-tenth of the present level.
The 5.4 lakh mobile phone towers in the country pose a huge threat to the health of the citizens. Experts say that the amount of radiation emitted from these towers in a day, is equivalent to putting one's body in an oven for 19 minutes!
India has the worst cell phone tower radiation norms in the world. The upper limit is so high that within 2 years the health of 1 crore Indians could be affected.
But if the recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Report on cell phone tower radiation submitted to the Department of Telecommunications are accepted, then soon there will be stricter restrictions on towers being installed near high density residential areas and schools.
At present we follow the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) guidelines for radiation, which allow a radiation rate of 9.2 watt per sq meter to be emitted. The report recommends this level should come down by one-tenth. At the same time the report clearly states that the safe limit for our health is 1000 times less than even the recommended limit.
Experts, like Prof Girish Kumar, Head of Department for Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay who have been studying the harmful effects of radiation for three decades, aren't very optimistic.
“The number of people having health problems is more in the areas where radiation levels are high. We have adopted the worst radiation norm in the entire world,” said Prof Kumar.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has flagged off a large scale research project to examine the health impact of mobile tower radiation
“It is the largest study in country we will enroll 4500 people. This is a prospective study. Generally only one aspect is covered in such studies but we are covering all aspects and all disorders be it neurological, cancer, cardiac, ENT-related, reproductive, behavioral in this study,” informed Dr RS Sharma, Deputy DG, ICMR.
Meanwhile, The DoT has not set any time frame for responding to this report.
IBNLive : India has worst radiation norms: report :
http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=142245§ion_id=3 10/02/2011
Nikita
CNN-IBN
Mumbai: An Inter Ministerial Report submitted to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recommended the cutting down of mobile phone tower radiation by one-tenth of the present level.
The 5.4 lakh mobile phone towers in the country pose a huge threat to the health of the citizens. Experts say that the amount of radiation emitted from these towers in a day, is equivalent to putting one's body in an oven for 19 minutes!
India has the worst cell phone tower radiation norms in the world. The upper limit is so high that within 2 years the health of 1 crore Indians could be affected.
But if the recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Report on cell phone tower radiation submitted to the Department of Telecommunications are accepted, then soon there will be stricter restrictions on towers being installed near high density residential areas and schools.
At present we follow the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRIP) guidelines for radiation, which allow a radiation rate of 9.2 watt per sq meter to be emitted. The report recommends this level should come down by one-tenth. At the same time the report clearly states that the safe limit for our health is 1000 times less than even the recommended limit.
Experts, like Prof Girish Kumar, Head of Department for Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay who have been studying the harmful effects of radiation for three decades, aren't very optimistic.
“The number of people having health problems is more in the areas where radiation levels are high. We have adopted the worst radiation norm in the entire world,” said Prof Kumar.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has flagged off a large scale research project to examine the health impact of mobile tower radiation
“It is the largest study in country we will enroll 4500 people. This is a prospective study. Generally only one aspect is covered in such studies but we are covering all aspects and all disorders be it neurological, cancer, cardiac, ENT-related, reproductive, behavioral in this study,” informed Dr RS Sharma, Deputy DG, ICMR.
Meanwhile, The DoT has not set any time frame for responding to this report.
IBNLive : India has worst radiation norms: report :
http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=142245§ion_id=3 10/02/2011
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