The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT), Kolkata licence service area (LSA) organised an “Awareness Webinar on EMF Radiation” as part of DoT’s public advocacy programme to dispel myths around electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation and address the unfounded fears of citizens by presenting credible scientific evidence.
A panel comprising senior officers from the DoT along with doctors, addressed the concerns of citizens while also debunking myths and misinformation related to health hazards connected with radiation from mobile towers.
Addressing the event, Tapas Pal, DDG (Compliance), DoT Kolkata LSA, said, “We all know that mobile has become our basic need in our life in the field of education, entertainment, e-commerce, online purchase, video conversation with our near one irrespective of their presence in a very long distance and so many other things of everyday life. After 4G India is progressing toward implementing the 5G Network very soon. It is designed to connect virtually at high data speed, with high reliability and low latency. 5G can deliver up to 20 Gbps peak data rates. Rural areas would also get internet services through 5G. Telecom towers are a backbone of Mobile communications and 5G technology requires even more towers to install for its small cells. So it has become pertinent to install more towers to have a robust telecom network. Therefore, it becomes extremely essential to address the spread of misinformation and provide an authentic view of health concerns related to mobile towers. 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 International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and adhere to the World Health Organisation’s recommendations (WHO). An extensive study on EMF signals has also not been able to prove that mobile tower radiation has any harmful effects on human health.”
Meanwhile, Mihir Kumbhakar, director, DoT Kolkata LSA, discussed the importance of mobile phones in our lives and the development of the country. He offered an overview of the emanation of low-level EMF from mobile towers.
Besides, Dr. TK Joshi, advisor to Health Minister, Government of India, said, “Despite an extensive scientific investigation, no link between mobile tower radiation and human health has been discovered. There is no scientific or medical evidence to back up the argument used against mobile towers. Cell towers generate extremely low-powered non-ionizing radiation that has no detrimental health effects on humans or animals. Following investigations, the WHO has concluded that there is no risk to human health from mobile tower radiation.”
