The West Bengal Licence Service Area (LSA) unit of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) organised an “Awareness Workshop on EMF Radiation” in Kolkata, on 12th March 2021. The session was organised as part of DoT’s public advocacy programme to dispel myths around EMF radiation and address unfounded fears of citizens by presenting credible scientific evidence.
An expert panel comprising of senior officers from the telecom department along with doctors, addressed concerns of citizens while also debunking myths and misinformation related to health hazards connected with radiation from mobile towers.
The workshop was attended by government officials, general public, residents’ welfare associations, students, doctors, telecom service providers, infrastructure providers and other officials. The eminent key speakers at the event were Sri R K Sharma, LSA Head, DoT WB LSA , Dr. T K Joshi, Advisor to Health Minister, Govt. of India, Shri Pabitra Sarkar, DDG (Compliance), DoT WB LSA and Shri Mihir Kumbhakar, Director (Compliance), DoT WB LSA.
Shri R K Sharma, LSA Head, DoT, West Bengal LSA talked about the necessity of mobile towers and well-entrenched infrastructure for streamlining network connectivity. Addressing concerns, he added, “ Our country’s EMF radiation norms are 10 times stricter than the limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and are in adherence to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Scientific research on EMF signals has not been able to establish any injurious effects on human health from mobile tower radiation”
Dr TK Joshi, Advisor to Health Minister, Govt. of India said “Across the world, extensive scientific research has been unable to establish a connect between mobile tower radiation and human health. The WHO has also stated that there is no risk to human health from mobile tower radiation”
Shri Pabitra Sarkar, DDG – Compliance, DoT WB LSA said “The DoT monitors the EMF emission levels from towers from across the country and ensures compliance with emission norms through its field units. LSA also conducts physical audits of sites by selecting them randomly and testing the power of the available EMF signals at different probable locations near the site. Further, West Bengal DoT’s LSA unit addresses all complaints received from the public either through email, PG Portal or dak with respect to EMF emissions”.
Citizens need not worry about the adverse effect of mobile tower EMF radiation as they are been strictly monitored and evidence from credible sources have repeatedly ruled out the possibility of any impending health hazards emanating from EMF radiations.
The misconception with our population in villages in West Bengal on EMF emission is wrong and installation of towers should be allowed in their respective localities There are checks and balances in places to ensure telcos adhere to the norms set by the Government. The Government of India follows 10 times more stringent norms than what has been prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO.
Mobile connectivity is the need of the hour for all sections of society. There is a need to realise the importance of mobile towers in order to maintain the standard of this essential service; however, due to misconceptions and myths, mobile towers were removed at several places after installation, resulting in poor connectivity. This programme will help address such issues.
Sri Mihir Kumbhakar, Director (Compliance), DoT WB LSA has given brief presentation on EMF Awareness Workshop. He also has stated that DoT WB LSA is continuously vigil on the EMF radiation from Mobile Towers across WB LSA. So, far 31038 numbers of BTSs have been audited for Checking EMF Radiation and only 13 BTS technologies are found non-compliant to radiation norms.
During Q&A session, the panellists responded that Network Connectivity is authoritative for a connected future and a healthy infrastructure will support the advancement of many technologies, which in turn would enhance the way we all live and work.
The level of exposure near a cell phone tower typically is many times lower than the exposure from using a cell phone. DoT and Telecom Operators are fully committed and equipped to ensure compliance of guidelines. These guidelines are designed to safeguard the concerns of citizens on EMF exposure norms are adhered as to safeguard our beloved citizens.
For towers, emission check : go to http://tarangsanchar.gov.in/
Click on the location and find EMF levels. Site also geo-locates location by itself. Get email updates for the tower near you.
Mobile radiation check: Type *#07# on mobile to check mobile-specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR value, which is the radiation emitted by a cellphone, will have to be displayed on mobile handsets. The 1.6 watts/kg averaged over a mass of 1 gram human tissue are only permitted to be manufactured or imported in India for the domestic market.
