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The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT), Sikkim Unit, West Bengal License Service Area (LSA) organised a seminar on “Myths on Electromagnetic Radiation”. The session was organised as part of DoT’s public advocacy program to dispel myths around electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and to address unfounded fears of citizens by presenting credible scientific evidence.

Through the event, the delegates informed that India follows radiation norms which are 1/10th of those prescribed by international agency, that is, International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The attendants were further made aware that regular checks are also being done by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure that all telecom service providers are adhering to the regulations set by the government. Besides, the delegates also noted that the mobile users are provided facility wherein one can check and measure the radiation levels in the area.

C.S. Rao, principal secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD), appreciated the efforts made by DoT and telecom service providers (TSPs). He talked about the general myths about radiation in the society. His address mainly focused on man-made and natural sources of radiation and its occurrence everywhere. Lastly, he expressed his view that radiation may have fear of impact on human health and it is necessary to create proper awareness among users and this seminar is aim to allay the fears of radiation from mobile towers. He requested the network distribution companies to follow the agreement made with the private parties in to as per DoT standards and guidelines and inculcate the culture of tower sharing for the benefit of the Sikkim state telecom users.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tushar Kant Joshi, advisor, Ministry of Health and director, OEM Program, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, addressed the concerns of citizens while also debunking myths and misinformation related to health hazards connected with radiation from mobile towers. Joshi asserted that citizens can rest easy knowing that mobile tower radiation poses no health concern, as India’s EMF radiation standards are ten times stricter than the limits set by the ICNIRP and adhere to the World Health Organisation’s recommendations (WHO). Joshi concluded by mentioning that extensive study on EMF signals has not been able to prove that mobile tower radiation has any harmful effects on human health.

Also, N. Murali Krishna, DDG DoT, Sikkim, shared the steps being taken to create strong and robust telecom network in Sikkim State. “To achieve this, among other resources more number of towers and base transceiver station (BTS) are to be installed by the TSPs. In Sikkim, DoT unit has tested around 200 towers and none of the theses towers has crossed the permissible limit” Krishna noted.

 

 

 

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