MEMBERS' REFERENCE SERVICE

LARRDIS
LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT, NEW DELHI

REFERENCE NOTE
No. 15/RN/Ref./June/2016

For the use of Members of Parliament NOT FOR PUBLICATION1

EFFECTS OF MOBILE RADIATION

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The reference material is for personal use of the Members in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties, and is not
for publication.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

Telecommunications have been recognized the world-over as an important tool for

socio-economic development of a nation. There has been a phenomenal growth of the
telecom sector in terms of subscribers and revenues over the past one and a half decades in
India. Today, India is amongst top three of largest and one of the fastest growing telecom
markets in the world. The Indian telecom industry has grown from a tele-density of
3.58 percent in March 2001 to 83.32 percent in April, 2016.

Telecom towers are critical installations on which the backbone of mobile

communication rests. These are essential for realizing the vision of inclusive growth. The
success of initiatives like Digital India, Smart Cities and right to Broadband, which the
Government intends to implement in mission mode, depends on this critical and essential
infrastructure1.

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.

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD (EMF) RADIATION

Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

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.

Types of EMF Radiation

EMF radiations are divided into two categories, ionizing and non-ionizing, depending on
frequency and the power level.

 Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose waves contain energy

sufficient to overcome the binding energy of electrons in atoms or molecules, thus
creating ions, e.g., Ultraviolet rays, X-rays , gamma rays and cosmic rays.

 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

EMF Radiation Safety Norms

India adopted the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection

(ICNIRP) guidelines in the year 2008 for basic restriction and limiting reference levels of
Electromagnetic radiation from Mobile towers. The norms for exposure limit for the Radio
Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions) are already 10 times more stringent than the safe
limits prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by World Health Organisation(WHO) 5.

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.
 -3-

EMF Radiation Norms for Mobile Towers (BTS) in India

Frequency ICNIRP Radiation norms Revised DoT Norms

effective from 01.09.2012
900 MHz 4.5 Watt/ sq.m 0.45 Watt/sq.m
1800 MHz 9 Watt/ sq.m 0.9 Watt/sq.m
2100 MHz 10.5 Watt/ sq.m 1.05 Watt/sq.m

International EMF Radiation Norms for Mobile Towers (BTS)

International Exposure limits for EMF (1800 MHz)

12 W/m2 USA, Canada and Japan
9.2 W/m2 ICNIRP and EU recommendation 1998
9 W/m2 Exposure limit in Australia
2.4 W/m2 Exposure limit in Belgium
1.0 W/m2 Exposure limit in Italy, Israel
0.5 W/m2 Exposure limit in Auckland, New Zealand
0.45 W/m2 Exposure limit in Luxembourg
0.4 W/m2 Exposure limit in China
0.2 W/m2 Exposure limit in Russia, Bulgaria
0.1 W/m2 Exposure limit in Poland, Paris, Hungary
0.1 W/m2 Exposure limit in Italy in sensitive areas
0.095 W/m2 Exposure limit in Switzerland
0.09 W/m2 ECOLOG 1998 (Germany) Precaution recommendation only
0.001 W/m2 Exposure limit in Austria

EMF Radiation Norms for Mobile Handsets in India

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.
 -4-

Effects of EMF Radiation

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-

 Sleep disorders, confusion, anxiety and depression, and appetite disturbances.

 Prevent body from healing the damaged DNA.
 Immune system imbalances and metabolic disruptions.
 Low resistance to diseases.
 Effect on blood brain barriers that stops the flow of toxins into the sensitive brain tissues7.”

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.

MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT

Department of Telecommunication (DoT), since 2008, has been monitoring global
developments and has already taken necessary steps and adopted stricter norms for safety
from EMF radiation that are emitted from mobile towers and mobile handsets. Government
of India has been taking due precautions and necessary actions in respect of EMF radiation
emitted from mobile towers and mobile handsets by issuing various guidelines and norms
taking into account the ICNIRP as recommended by WHO.
 Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to examine the effect of Electro Magnetic
Field (EMF) Radiation from base stations and mobile phones was constituted on
24.08.2010. Based on the recommendations by IMC, the norms for exposure limit for
the Radio Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions) have been further made stringent
and reduced to 1/10th of the existing limits prescribed by ICNIRP.

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.
 -6-

 Committee constituted by Hon’ble High Court Allahabad

Hon‟ble High Court Allahabad, vide its order dated 10.01.2012 constituted a
Committee including Members from Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)
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 who submitted its Report on 17-01-
2014. After due consideration of the human health concerns on account of EMF
radiation being raised in public and the Report of the Committee, the Government has
decided in February 2014 that the present prescribed precautionary EMF safe
exposure limits are adequate and need no further change at this stage.

 Guidelines for Installation of Mobile Tower

DoT has issued advisory guidelines to State governments on 01.08.2013 for issue of
clearance for installation of mobile towers. These guidelines are applicable to all
areas including residential areas. These guidelines do not place any restriction on
installation of mobile towers in public buildings/places such as residential colonies/
thickly populated areas8.

 Compliance to radiation limits from mobile towers

In order to ensure compliance to the prescribed stricter precautionary norms of
EMF radiation from mobile tower, the extensive audit of compliance
of self-certificates being submitted by telecom service providers and Base
Transceiver Station (BTS) sites is carried out by Telecom Enforcement Resource &
Monitoring (TERM) field units of DoT. In case, any BTS site is found to violate
the prescribed EMF norms, actions are taken to put a penalty of Rs. 10 lakh per BTS
per incidence including closing of BTS site as per the prescribed procedure.

8
Ibid, A Journey for EMF, 2016.
 -7-

During the audit carried out by Telecom Enforcement, Resource and

Monitoring (TERM) Cells, 108 number of BTSs have been found exceeding the
prescribed EMF radiation limits in the last three years, i.e., calendar year 2013,
2014, 2015 and the current year 2016. Licensed Service Area wise (LSA-wise)
details of these BTSs is given below 9:

SN Number of BTSs found exceeding radiation limits during

Year Year Year Year Last three years

2013 2014 2015 2016 (upto (2013 to 2015) and
29.02.2016) current year (up to
29.02.2016)
1 Assam NIL 2 NIL NIL 2
2 Karnataka 2 8 6 NIL 16
3 Madhya NIL 14 NIL NIL 14
Pradesh
4 Maharashtra 4 NIL NIL NIL 4
5 Mumbai 55 NIL NIL NIL 55
6 Rajasthan 1 NIL NIL NIL 1
7 UP East 10 NIL NIL NIL 10
8 West Bengal NIL NIL 6 NIL 6
Grand Total 72 24 12 NIL 108

 EMF Web portal

Telecommunication Engineering Center(TEC), a wing of DoT, is carrying out a pilot
project on EMF web portal for implementation of online database for EMR of BTS
towers. The pilot trial of web portal is being conducted in three circles Mumbai,
Haryana, Karnataka and the city of Hyderabad. The portal is envisaged to provide a
public interface for viewing the EMF compliance status of mobile towers, anywhere
in India.

 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.
 -9-

REFERENCES:

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.

3. India, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Report of Inter-

Ministerial Committee on EMF Radiation, 2010.

4. India, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Mobile

Communication- Radio Waves & Safety.

5. India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Expert-Group to study the possible

impacts of communications towers on wildlife including Birds and Bees, 2010.

6. 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.