New DoT guidelines on radiation emission comes into effect

NEW DELHI,INDIA: The government has finally initiated new regulatory rules to curb hazardous cell phone and tower radiation in the country. The new laws have become applicable from September 1.

The EMF (Electromagnetic Frequency) radiations limits have been reduced to 10 per cent of the prevalent levels. Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said that with new rules, they want to ensure full adherence.

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These rules will be binding to more than 4-lakh BTS installations in the country. Compliance failure by service operators would attract a penalty of Rs 5 lakh. 

The service providers will also be restricted to construct any other tower within one kilometer of radius. With new framework, the telcos will have to provide self-certification of compliance.

In addition, the specific absorption rate (SAR) value, according to new rules will be 1.6 watts/kg. Earlier, the SAR value for handsets was 2 watts/kg measured over 10 grams of human tissue. The cellphone users have also been advised to use headset- bluetooth or wired.

The government also plans to set up a testing lab for random checking of SAR values of mobile handsets. The Telegraph Act, Sibal said, will be amended for ensuring compliance of new SAR values.