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Electromagnetic emissions from mobile towers are harmless, says DoT

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CIOL Writers
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People fearing harmful radiations from mobile towers opposing their installations in the residential area has become a common phenomenon in many parts of the country. However, as per a new awareness drive initiated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from mobile towers are harmless.

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CIOL Electromagnetic emissions from mobile towers are harmless, says DoT

“EMF emissions from mobile towers, which are below safe limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) will not affect the health of people. DoT has already prescribed strict precautionary norms for EMF emissions in India, which is ten times more stringent than limits prescribed by ICNRIP. But due to lack of awareness many people fear that cell towers emit radiation which is harmful to health,” RM Chaturvedi, deputy director general (carrier service), DoT, said speaking at an awareness campaign in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Representatives of various NGOs, GHMC corporators, officials, resident welfare associations and representatives of Telecom companies have all come together this time to create awareness about EMF emissions.

“According to DoT rules, EMF emissions should not exceed one watt per one square meter. DoT has formed Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) unit for monitoring EMF emissions in India. There are a staunch monitoring and enforcement mechanism and 10 lakh penalty will be imposed on Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites for the violation,” said Shivendra Bhatnagar, senior deputy director general, TERM unit.

He further added that out of 12 lakh BTS sites (mobile towers) in India, only 192 were found violating the EMF limits which are very minimal. Therefore people need not worry about EMF emissions for mobile towers.

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