COAI says no need for fears of cell phone tower radiation

Seeking to allay fears of a Rajasthan lawmaker that radiation from cell phone towers causes cancer, cellular operators' organisation has also sought his help in removing the misplaced fears regarding EMF emissions in the minds of the people.

In a letter to Choumu legislator Ram Lal Sharma, who last month raised a question in the assembly on link between cancer and people living within 100 metres of mobile towers, the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) said there were no such adverse health consequences.

"Firstly, you would appreciate the fact that mobile towers are needed to improve the requisite communications infrastructure, which will be crucial to achieve the Digital India dream of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi," COAI director general Rajan S. Mathews said in the letter to the legislator.

The letter states that authorities across the country have relied on credible scientific information on the issue, that has come from some of the topmost scientific bodies such as the World Health Organisation, and health ministries of many European countries.

Further reduction in electro-magnetic field (EMF) limits has been done with the precaution principle in mind, thereby removing any further need for worry, the COAI said.