Cell phone companies survey radiation

Following the appointment of a high power committee to investigate the health hazards posed by the city’s cellphone towers by the state environment department, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has also appointed a scientific expert team to carry out a survey in the state to measure the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) levels emitted by cell towers.

Dr Rajan Mathews, Director General, COAI, said, “We measured the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) levels emitted by cell towers in Delhi with the help of an independent panel which included Dr PR Goundan, joint director of Center of Excellence in Wireless Technology, Chennai and Dr S Raju, head of department of electronics and communication engineering, Thainagar College of Engineering, Madurai. The survey report indicated that even the cumulative emission from mobile towers were thousand times lower than the laid out international standards.”

He added that the same people have been appointed in Mumbai for investigation, and will start their work within three weeks. “There is a lot of misleading information about cell towers. We have decided to spread awareness among people on the basis of scientific evidence,” he said.

Three months ago, the state appointed an expert committee, which included BARC scientists, a radiologist and neuro-physician from Tata Hospital and secretaries of environment and urban development departments, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Public Works Department (PWD) to review this issue.

“The committee submitted its report. Very soon we will issue the guidelines on cell towers issue,” said minister of state for environment Suresh Shetty.