PROTESTS AND MYTHS ABOUT CELL TOWERS People here are using mobiles in large numbers, Users are complaining about weak signals and call drops. People are vociferously protesting on the installation very where in Goa and the noise is getting louder by the way None seem to be well informed and how such facilities are provided all over the world without much ado
EMF exposure limit is lowered to 1/10 of existing ICNRIP wef 1-9-2012. India has one of the most stringent EMF exposure norms in the world. TERM has to conduct test audit up to 10% of BTS randomly on self certification by service providers Cell phones communicate with nearby cell towers through RF (radio frequency) RF are non ionizing radiation, like infra red, radio waves, microwaves unlike stronger radiation, X rays, UV light, gamma rays, cosmic rays and can highly break chemical DNA bonds. RF can heat up body tissues like microwave ovens. The level of energy used by cell phones and towers is much lower. Public exposure to RF and towers is low, as antennas are high, signals are not constant Near the ground it is 1000 times less than limits set. Roof antennas may have higher RF than ground level In front of antennas and close levels will be higher Cellular towers are feared to cause cancers and ill health are not well founded scientifically and studies are all in the realm of experimentation without any conlusive findings on cancer or other ill effects or adversely affecting biological tissues .RF have long wave lengths, energy is not concentrated enough to damage individuals cells, The RF levels at ground levels are very low, The RF energy near towers is not significant different from sources like TV broadcasts stations Authorities like CPCB, NGT are neither harmful nor hazardous sticking to norms laid down by WHO. Scientific studies have not concluded as cancer causing, brain tumors or other health risks even though EMR may penetrate bricks and metal. Satellites dishes too emit RF. High voltage electric wires also emit EMR and Frequency greater than 10 hertz may take years of cumulative exposure to show direct effects No evidence is found of ill effects on those living very close to towers in comparisons Emissions form TV may also be cautioned for their effects Various studies all over the world on different aspects of RF and EMR are not conclusive even though linkage is elusive at the moment Those advocates against use of cell towers first discard all their mobile phones and declare so openly. To day everything works on internet for which such a facility is a must .The expereince of developed countries using such technology is contrary to the wave of protest without sound technical knowledge Nelson Lopes Chinchinim