Question : Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Towers

(a) whether the Government has conducted any empirical scientific study/research on adverse impact of electromagnetic radiations from mobile towers and mobile phones on human health especially minor children and other living beings and if so, the details and the outcomes thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of scientific studies/researches conducted world over on aforementioned subject and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to generate awareness among people about the deleterious effects of electromagnetic radiations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government has identified Base-Transreceiver Stations (BTS) violating electromagnetic norms and if so, the details thereof including the number of such BTS identified during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise along with the corrective steps taken by the Government to curb harmful radiations from BTS and mobile phones?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b) Madam, to examine the effect of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) emissions from base stations and mobile phones an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted on 24.08.2010. The IMC in its report has indicated that most of the laboratory studies were unable to find a direct link between exposure to radio frequency radiation and health, and the scientific studies as yet have not been able to confirm a cause and effect relationship between radio frequency radiation and health.
Also, a committee, constituted by Hon’ble High Court Allahabad including Members from IITs of Kharagpur, Kanpur, Delhi, Roorkee, Bombay and from other scientific institutions of the country including Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi, in their report submitted in 2014, has, inter-alia, noted – “ ...On the basis of scientific evidences, studies and reports available, it has been found that there is no conclusive evidence about the stated dangers of EMF radiation from mobile BTS tower...” The Committee has noted that “there are no conclusive evidence to establish any causal link between the effect of EMF radiation from BTS with biological effects described in cell models, animals or humans, and any possible resulting health effects.”
Further, a joint initiative has been launched by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT), wherein nineteen research proposals, have been initiated to study possible impact of EMF exposure from mobile towers and handsets on life. i.e. Humans, Living Organisms, Flora & Fauna.
DoT has been following relevant International agencies/ organisations such as World Health Organization (WHO), International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), International Advisory Committee (IAC) on EMF, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and various Study Groups under ITU for monitoring global developments and has already taken necessary steps and adopted stricter norms for safety from EMF radiation from mobile towers and handsets.
It is to highlight that the WHO has referred to approximately 25,000 articles published around the world over 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 fields”.
(c) DoT has taken several steps to generate awareness among the public about EMF radiation such as Nation-wide Awareness Programme, distribution of pamphlets/ information brochure on various topics related to EMF, publishing detailed information on EMF related issues on the website of DoT, advertisements in newspapers, launch of “Tarang Sanchar” portal etc.
(d) Yes, Madam. The information about number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) is maintained License Service Area (LSA) wise. LSA-wise details of the number of BTSs violating prescribed EMF radiation norms on actual testing is enclosed as Annexure A.
Further, DoT has taken various steps to ensure that Telecommunications Service Providers strictly adhere to the norms prescribed including submission of self-certificate by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) before commercial start of BTS site and extensive audit of compliance of self-certificates & BTSs. In case, any BTS site is found violating the prescribed EMF norms, action is taken to levy a penalty of Rs.10 lakh per BTS per incidence including closing of BTS sites, if violation persists.