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Reference Note: Effects of Mobile Radiation
Reference Note: Effects of Mobile Radiation
LARRDIS
LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI
REFERENCE NOTE
No. 15/RN/Ref./June/2016
Prepared by Smt. Rachana Sharma, Additional Director (23034591) and Shri Pradeep Kumar, RA of Lok
Sabha Secretariat under the supervision of Smt. Kalapana Sharma, Joint Secretary and Smt. Anita Khanna,
Director
The reference material is for personal use of the Members in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties, and is not
for publication. This Service is not to be quoted as the source of information as it is based on the sources indicated
at the end/in the text. This Service does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or veracity of the information
or views contained in the note/collection.
EFFECTS OF MOBILE RADIATION
INTRODUCTION
There has been growing public concern on possible adverse health effects due to
Electro-magnetic field (EMF) Radiation from mobile towers and mobile handsets. The
effects of exposure to EMF have created an active scientific debate among the research
agencies across the globe 2.
Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) is a form of energy which travels from one place
to another. It is electromagnetic in nature, i.e., it consists of waves of electric and magnetic
energy moving together through space at the speed of light. We are exposed to both natural
1
India, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, A Journey for EMF, 2016.
2
India, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Information paper on Effects of Electromagnetic Field Radiation from Mobile
Towers and Handsets, 30 July 2014.
-2-
and man-made radiation. The electromagnetic radiation may occur naturally such as
ultraviolet light from the sun and as made by lightning. The EMR, generated
artificially/man-made, are used for fixed and mobile radio communication, radio and
television broadcasting, radar and other innumerable applications. The radio waves carry
signal for television, cellular phone etc 3.
Non-ionizing radiation refers to any type of electromagnetic radiation that does not
carry enough energy per quantum to ionize atoms or molecules, e.g., low frequency
radiations like radio waves, microwaves, and infrared radiations. 4
3
India, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Mobile Communication- Radio Waves & Safety
4
Op.cit., Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 30 July 2014.
5
Op.cit., A Journey for EMF, 2016.
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From 1 September 2013, only mobile handsets with the revised Specific Absorption
Rate (SAR) value of 1.6 W/kg are permitted to be manufactured or imported into India. It is
mandatory for manufacturers to display the SAR level on each mobile handset.
Frequency (10 ICNIRP SAR Limit SAR Limit in India
MHz to 10 GHz)
General Public 2 Watt/Kg (averaged 1.6 watt/Kg (averaged
Exposure over 10gm tissue) over 1 gm tissue)
India has adopted the most stringent SAR values for mobile handsets when
compared to other countries like USA, Canada & Australia.
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Effects of EMF radiation can be studied in two ways, i.e., bio-effects and health
effects: -
1. Bio-Effects are measureable responses to a stimulus or to a change in the atmosphere
and are not necessarily harmful to our health. Biological effects can be two types, i.e.,
Thermal and Non-Thermal effects.
Thermal Effects:-
Refers to the heat generated due to absorption of EMF radiation.
While using a cell phone, most of the heating effect occurs at the surface of the head,
causing its temperature to increase by a fraction of a degree.
Prolonged thermal effect may lead to increase in body temperature.
Non-Thermal Effects:-
Non-thermal effects are attributed to the induced electromagnetic effects inside the
biological cells of the body which is possibly more harmful.
2. Health Effects are the changes which may be short term or long term. These effects
stress the system and may be harmful to human health. 6
Over the past years, various studies have been published worldwide on the effects of
EMF radiation emanating from mobile towers. Some of the studies report the absence of a
risk to human beings from EMF radiations. Yet others report the presence of a risk;
however, most of these are far from conclusive and come with the usual academic caveat
about further studies.
The various possible effects of mobile tower radiations on health of human beings are
as follows:
Pervasive impairment of metabolic and reproductive systems.
Effect on fertility, reproduction and health of off-springs.
Damage to human sperms.
Risk of glioma (a malignant brain tumour) and acoustic neuroma (a slow growing tumour of the
nerve connecting ear and brain).
Headaches, disturbed concentration and behavioural problems.
6
Op.cit., Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 30 July 2014.
-5-
There is a public concern over possible health effects from Electromagnetic Field
Radiation (EMR) exposure from diverse EMR sources especially Mobile BTS antennae and
mobile. In this regard, several studies have been conducted in different countries, under the
aegis of World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has referred to approximately 25,000
articles published around the world over the past 30 years, and based on an in-depth review
of scientific literature, has concluded: “current evidence does not confirm the existence of
any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic field”. Since the
effects on human beings are to be studied over a long period of time, further studies are
going on around the world.
7
India, Lok Sabha, Standing Committee on Information Technology, 53rd Report on Norms for the setting up of telecom towers,
its harmful effects and setting up of security standards in expansion of telecom facilities, February 2014.
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8
Ibid, A Journey for EMF, 2016.
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Public Awareness
DoT has issued an informative guide on „Mobile Communications - Radio Waves
and Safety‟ . The document covers a basic introduction to radio waves, various
terminologies, Do‟s & Don‟ts related to mobile phone usage, clarification of various
9
Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 144, dated 4.5.2016
-8-
myths regarding deployment, use of Radio waves / Safety Standards and frequently
asked questions relating to Mobile phones & Human health. Advertisement for
ensuring safety from radiations of Mobile Towers & handsets has been issued by
DoT which has been published in National and Regional Newspapers.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under Department of Science
and Technology (Government of India) has constituted an Expert Committee/Task
Force on 04 September 2013 to evaluate Research & Development (R&D) proposals
to study the possible impact of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation exposure
from mobile tower and handset on life (humans, living organism, flora & fauna and
environment) and related initiatives. Nineteen research proposals from various
institutions have been initiated in 2015 10.
CONCLUSION
EMF radiation is a fact of life. Most human beings are exposed to some form of EMF
radiation on a daily basis. The crux of the matter is that whenever regulations and standards
are to be set to limit any possible harm that such radiation could have on human beings,
such regulations and standards must have a scientific basis. In the absence of being founded
on science, it could end up limiting growth of industry merely based on a presumption.
India-specific studies, taking into considerations the hot tropical climate of the
country, low body mass index (BMI), low-fat content of an average Indian, need to be
undertaken. And, until those studies are completed and results validated, EMF radiation
norms should be strictly enforced/monitored and the government/Industry should also
explore new technological innovations like low-power radiating antennae11.
10
Op.cit., A Journey for EMF, 2016.
11
Op.cit., Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 30 July 2014.
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