<p>Expressing serious concern over high level of electromagnetic radiation emanating from mobile towers and handsets, a government panel has recommended that cell users especially children, adolescents and pregnant women should talk less and prefer SMS to avoid health hazards. <br /><br />An inter-ministerial committee headed by Ram Kumar, Advisor (Technology) Department of Telecom, has also called for imposing strict restrictions on installing mobile towers near high-density residential areas, schools, playgrounds and hospitals. It has recommended the immediate revision of radiation norms to suit Indian conditions and environment. <br /><br />The committee was constituted to suggest measures to the government to deal with complaints of health problems arising due to cellphones and mobile towers.</p>.<p>Quoting a number of study reports which found radiation released from cellphone towers as well as handsets proving dangerous to health, the report recommends the use of hands-free and ear phone technologies such as bluetooth handsets and ear phone so as to minimise the contact of head with mobile phone. <br /><br />“While talking on mobile, keep calls short or send a text message (SMS). This advice should be especially relevant keeping in mind the children, adolescents and pregnant women” said the report. <br /><br />The advice should be printed in the user manual by handset manufacturers. <br />“Whenever possible, use cellphone when the signal quality is good. People having active medical implants should keep their cellphone at least 30 cm away from the implant” said the report.<br /><br />The report also said that the Government may consider amendments to the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 so that only the mobile handsets satisfying radiation standards be permitted for import / manufacture or sale in the country.<br /><br />“For the future expansion of telecom network in the country use low power micro cell transmitters with in-building solutions in place of the present trend of using high power transmission over mobile towers or high-rise buildings,” it said. <br /><br />On the issue of radiation from handsets, the committee said the standards adopted in the United States are most stringent. <br /><br />It has called for adoption of severe radiation norms for mobile handsets.</p>
<p>Expressing serious concern over high level of electromagnetic radiation emanating from mobile towers and handsets, a government panel has recommended that cell users especially children, adolescents and pregnant women should talk less and prefer SMS to avoid health hazards. <br /><br />An inter-ministerial committee headed by Ram Kumar, Advisor (Technology) Department of Telecom, has also called for imposing strict restrictions on installing mobile towers near high-density residential areas, schools, playgrounds and hospitals. It has recommended the immediate revision of radiation norms to suit Indian conditions and environment. <br /><br />The committee was constituted to suggest measures to the government to deal with complaints of health problems arising due to cellphones and mobile towers.</p>.<p>Quoting a number of study reports which found radiation released from cellphone towers as well as handsets proving dangerous to health, the report recommends the use of hands-free and ear phone technologies such as bluetooth handsets and ear phone so as to minimise the contact of head with mobile phone. <br /><br />“While talking on mobile, keep calls short or send a text message (SMS). This advice should be especially relevant keeping in mind the children, adolescents and pregnant women” said the report. <br /><br />The advice should be printed in the user manual by handset manufacturers. <br />“Whenever possible, use cellphone when the signal quality is good. People having active medical implants should keep their cellphone at least 30 cm away from the implant” said the report.<br /><br />The report also said that the Government may consider amendments to the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 so that only the mobile handsets satisfying radiation standards be permitted for import / manufacture or sale in the country.<br /><br />“For the future expansion of telecom network in the country use low power micro cell transmitters with in-building solutions in place of the present trend of using high power transmission over mobile towers or high-rise buildings,” it said. <br /><br />On the issue of radiation from handsets, the committee said the standards adopted in the United States are most stringent. <br /><br />It has called for adoption of severe radiation norms for mobile handsets.</p>
