Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Karnataka License Service Area (LSA), organised an awareness webinar on “Electromagnetic Exposure from Telecom Towers and Related Public Concerns”. This session was organised as part of DoT’s public advocacy programme to make the general public aware of the need for mobile towers and dispel misconceptions regarding any harmful impacts of radiations emanating from cellular towers and also inform the general public that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of Covid 19.
An expert panel comprising of senior officers from the telecom department along with doctors, addressed the concerns of citizens while also debunking myths and misinformation related to health hazards connected with radiation from mobile towers.
The workshop was attended by more than 100 participants including government officials, the general public, residents’ welfare associations, students, doctors, telecom service providers, infrastructure providers and other officials.
While giving an outline of the telecommunication services and highlighting the issues faced by the stakeholders, HK Verma, Advisor, DoT Karnataka LSA said, “Mobile towers are essential for seamless mobile connectivity. There has been a significant rise in misinformation related to health concerns posed by mobile towers. We have gathered here to address these baseless theories and reassure citizens that radiations originating from cellular towers are completely harmless. Our in-depth research on EMF radiations is proof that radiations do not have any severe health impact on humans.”
“The DoT monitors the EMF emission levels from towers across India and ensures compliance with emission norms across the country through its field units. LSA also conducts physical audits of sites by selecting them randomly and testing the power of the available EMF signals at different probable locations near the site. Further, Karnataka DoT’s LSA unit addresses all complaints received from the public either through email, PG Portal or dak with respect to EMF emissions. DoT Karnataka LSA has tested 7567 BTSs from June 2020 to June 2021 in Karnataka and all BTSs have found compliant as per DoT Norms”, Verma added.
Commenting on the same, Lt. Gen. Dr S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI, said, “Telecom Industry is committed to provide world-class high-speed connectivity to the customers. We appreciate Karnataka LSA, Department of Telecommunication, Govt. of India for organising this EMF Advocacy Webinar today. However, the prevailing myths regarding EMF Emission from Telecom Towers is quite prohibitive and resulting in delayed roll-out of required infrastructure across the region thus creating connectivity issues. This webinar was aimed to dispel these prevailing myths. There is a fundamental misunderstanding that mobile towers generate radiations which are injurious to public health. However, World Health Organisation (WHO) has concluded that ‘current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields’ based on approximately 25,000 studies published around the world over the last 30 years and in-depth review of scientific literature. So, we don’t need to worry about the adverse effect of mobile tower radiation as they are safe & strictly monitored”.
Meanwhile, Dr Chinnababu Sunkawalli, Robotic & Laparoscopic Oncosurgeon, shared his perspective and cleared misconceptions surrounding mobile tower radiations. He said, “Cell towers emit low-powered non-ionising radiations which have negligible impact on humankind. It is also important to be informed that all the surrounding theories about EMF radiations remain unsubstantiated. Hence, there is no need for people to be fearful. Cellular tower radiations are completely safe.”
Citizens must understand today that mobile tower EMF radiations are strictly monitored and assessed on a regular basis. Evidence from credible and extensive research has ruled out any possibility of health issues originating from EMF radiations. Moreover, the Eight High Courts of India have also upheld the same view and have delivered judgments that aim to disprove all such unfounded fears and misguided activism that is posing a severe challenge in the growth of the economy and connectivity.
Hence, the misconception of a section of the population in Karnataka on the hazards of EMF emission must not be taken into consideration and installation of towers should be allowed in their respective localities. The Government of India follows norms that are 10 times stricter than what has been prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO. Regular checks are also done to ensure that all telecom service providers are following the regulations set by the Government.
During the Q&A session, the panellists highlighted that mobile connectivity is the need of the hour for all sections of society. It is a vital component of the Government’s vision for ‘Digital India.’
