According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), usage of mobile phones or exposure to radio frequency (RF) does not pose any health risks. In addition, French government?s Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety has also stated that the mobile usage does not result in health hazards.
The WHO in its advisory has stated, ?Studies provide no indication that environmental exposure to RF fields (being transmitted from base stations) increases the risk of cancer or any other disease. Scientists have reported other health effects of using mobile phones including changes in brain activity, reaction times, and sleep patterns. However, these effects are minor and have no serious implication on the general health of the public.?
Further, given the increasing usage of mobile phones among youngsters, who have potentially longer lifetime of exposure; WHO is undertaking research on this group to assess the health impact of RF.
Agency of Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, also states that it was unable to establish any causal link between the biological effects described in cell models, animals or humans, and any possible resulting health effects from RF. Therefore, suggesting new exposure limits for the general population on health grounds does not seem justified.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) which has been opposing the Indian government?s stringent norms regarding RF emission from telecom towers in the country has termed the two agencies? observations heartening.
Commenting on the findings, Rajan S Mathews, director general, COAI, states, ?It is heartening that the recent WHO advisory continues to validate the COAI?s consistent stand that there is no empirical evidence to indicate exposure to RF causes higher risk of cancer and other diseases. WHO as well as the French advisory clearly upholds the safety of the emission levels of the mobile phone industry. It also clearly demarcates the difference in impacts of mobile phones and base stations.?
According to COAI, the emission safety norms set by the Government of India have been determined keeping in mind all the possible groups that may be affected and has enough safety margins to provide safeguards to everyone ? from pregnant women, to children, senior citizens, etc, in all locations. Hence there is no further requirement to have separate safety norms for mobile towers in areas housing residential apartments, school or hospitals.
