Radiation from cell towers not hazardous: Telecom industry

Industry fears spate of cases against towers, after SC ordered one in Gwalior to be shut down

The issue of cell phone tower radiation is again haunting the telecom industry, following the Supreme Court’s (SC) direction to shut down  a mobile tower in Gwalior based on a complaint by a petitioner.

Experts feel it is an unwelcome news for the industry. “The court seems unconvinced by the vast data and analysis that suggest that mobile radiation is too weak to break a chemical bond or cause damage to humans,” an independent telecom sector expert said.

The decision will certainly encourage others and start similar litigation. The industry is already struggling on several fronts, including falling revenues as well as the bad press received due to frequent call drops. The court’s decision will disappoint them further, the expert said. The SC on Wednesday ordered shutting down of a mobile tower in Gwalior following a domestic help’s petition, stating the radiations from the towers afflicted him with cancer. 

In a statement, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said, “For the industry, consumer health and interest are paramount. The industry appeals to the citizens and the public to not panic and read the interim order in its entirety. There are four EMF (electromagnetic)-related cases, which have been clubbed together. There are eight high courts, which have found the radiations emanating from mobile towers are not hazardous.”

The Centre, in its affidavit, has also provided evidence of the same, stating clearly it has one of the strictest norms across the world on EMF emission. The submission by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also refers to over 20,000 papers, which does not provide scientific evidence that link mobile towers to any adverse impact. 

As a precaution, the DoT has already maintained emission limits at 1/10th of the recommended ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) global standards for India, making them one of  the strictest norms  across  the globe. 

Further, the Allahabad High Court has also instituted an expert committee, which found, currently, there is no conclusive scientific evidence, which establishes that EMF has harmful effects on humans.