Communications Technology has led to Renaissance of modern civilized society. India stands second in the maximum usage of mobile phones after China. In fact,mobile technology has accelerated the pace of economic development of the country and is a boon to communication system augmenting the connectivity in rural areas. The public is being misled by false reports that radiations emitted from mobile phones and towers causes health risks. If such news had substantial credence,then mobile phones would have been discarded by users the entire world over. Renowned scientist Dr Vijaylaxmi,who has done incisive research on Electromagnetic radiations and Genetic Toxicology said,The results from several of my acute and chronic exposure studies have revealed that RF radiation emitted from mobile phones does not have sufficient energy to cause breakage in the genetic material in human and animal cells. Researchers in other parts of the world have also reported similar observations. Regarding EMF radiations,the World Health Organization has concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. Similar voice has been expressed in the report prepared by Dr. Michael Repacholi of International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP),The radio frequency emissions from mobile phone and towers are 50,000 times lower than the levels at which health effects begin to be established. Dr. S K Chugh,Senior Consultant Cardiology,Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre,stated that Although there has been much speculation and some research,as yet there is no conclusive data about any confirmed biological hazard from electromagnetic radiations emitted from mobile phone Further research is warranted to prove or disprove either way. RF energy is widely used in providing telecommunications services. According to scientific studies conducted by organizations of international repute,the output power of mobile phone is less than 1 watt,far lower than the emission levels that emanate from radio or microwave appliances. This means that the intensity of radiations are almost negligible and dont pose a danger to health. Even the average level of RF exposure at the base station of communication towers is only .002% of the recommended ICNIRP guidelines. This implies that RF emissions from Mobile towers dont pose a threat to health and the public need not be wary about using wireless applications. According to Anup Singh,Chairman of Healthcare Welfare Society,has done secondary research on the issue said that radiations from mobile phones and towers are not a health hazard. The issue is a sensitive one and must be handled wisely. Public must be sensitized about the truth and misconceptions related to radiations must be cleared. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India,in its letter of September 2004 sent to Finance Secretary stated that there is no definite conclusive study which confirms that health is adversely affected by radiation emitted by mobile phones. The committee formed by the Government of India under the chairmanship of Dr. N. K. Ganguly also opined that there is not enough evidence to show direct health hazards of RF exposures from mobile base stations,Mr. Anup Singh added. On July 23,2008,the Telecom Commission has approved the adoption of International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines,for limiting the Human exposure to EMF,for the Telecom Sector in India.
