黄泉安工作队筹备超高速网络基建 槟要成为光纤都市

■ 光纤具有宽频宽、低损耗、屏蔽电磁辐射、重量轻、安全性和隐密性的优点。

光华日报
二零一零年六月二十九日 凌晨一时一分

（槟城28日讯）随着电讯塔合法化的宽限期截止后，由槟州首长幕僚长黄泉安领导的工作队，将专注筹备超高速光纤网络发展工作，以打造槟州成为国内首个拥有达到韩国光纤水平的州属！

电讯塔合法化宽限期6月30日结束在即，槟州政府电讯基设工作队却没有闲下来，他们开始着手筹备超高速光纤网络的基建工作。槟州政府电讯基设工作队主席黄泉安受访时说，电讯塔合法化的申请执照、执法行动等，皆由槟地方政府负责，而他领导的工作队，将专注筹备超高速光纤网络工作。

“光纤的好处是不管上传、下载速度都很快，韩国是全球光纤网络布建最成熟、宽频速达60Mbps，是亚洲宽频最高速的国家，这也是我这半年内去了韩国6趟的主因。”

虽然如此，他说，由于这个规划涉及大道局、公共工程局、地方政府等多方，加上需要专业技术、融资来源等，完善的规划与协调非常重要，目前一切仍在起步阶段，预计要3至5年才能具体化 “都市光纤大蓝图”。

他说，这是3月槟州发展机构与马电讯签署合作协议书，为州内电讯塔装置高纤服务后，配合首长林冠英致力将槟州转型，迈向国际都市及高收入经济体的其中一步。

“槟州是继雪兰莪、柔佛、吉兰丹、霹雳、玻璃市、森美兰及吉打后，第8个与马电讯签署相关合约的州属，但合约5月初开始生效，已开始收到分红，而筹备超高速光纤网络的基建工作，就是为保障槟州电讯需求的第一步。”

经合组织数据显示引领全球　韩日光纤接入率高

根据网络资料，经济合作发展组织(OECD，下称“经合组织”)公布数据显示，光纤已成为韩国和日本最大的单一宽带技术，引领全球家庭的超高速网络接入比例。

截至2009年6月，韩国每100名居民中有12.2名使用光纤接入，光纤接入率比2008年12月的10.4%高；日本方面，日本的光纤普及率为10.2%，唯一接近日韩这一比率的国家是瑞典，光纤接入率为6%。

韩国的光纤普及率甚至高于经合组织中5个国家，即希腊、波兰、斯洛伐克、土耳其及墨西哥的宽带普及率。专家相信，随着3G来袭，越来越多的国家、城市网络将会被光纤所覆盖。

由单一电讯公司垄断　大马宽频发展步伐慢

询及为何马来西亚在宽频发展步伐较慢时，他认为，单一电讯公司垄断是主要原因，而旧有的电话线上网机制由马电讯垄断，也许是商业盈利考量，其他业者很难进入相关范围，所以进步也较慢。

无论如何，他强调，光纤成本已较10年前低，加上本地宽频使用程度提高，现在正是我国引向超高速光纤网络的最好时机。

都市光纤大蓝图若成功实行　家用宽频每秒10Mpbs

“都市光纤大蓝图”计划若成功实行，槟州家用宽频可达每秒10Mpbs!

黄泉安指出，目前我国家庭宽频速度一般达1Mpbs，“都市光纤大蓝图”计划的目标是达到家用宽频每秒10Mpbs，商用宽频则达至少20Mpbs至40Mpbs。

他坦诚，虽然已与韩国及澳洲的专家取得联系，并有专业技术人员支持，但要达到上述目标，还必须克服许多层面的挑战。他提及，其中乔治市是世遗范围，电讯塔或电讯站的设立必须符合世遗条规，业者之前提出“化妆”电讯塔或电讯站，让它们与建筑物融合在一起，但被地方政府拒绝。

“乔治市也是许多显要机构的所在地，因此我们必须想办法解决这个收讯盲点；至于新建的商业及住宅区，则会规划‘都市光纤网络’（Metro Optical Link）。”

另外，他提及光纤网络资料库管理也是重要的一环，因为万一网络发生故障时，资料库的管理员可迅速查出原因及发生故障的地点，及时解决问题。

确保工程符合国际水平　设计光纤管道地势图

为了确保所有光纤网管工程符合国际水平，设计“光纤管道地势图”这环节不容忽视。

黄泉安指出，由于光纤网络管必须埋在地底下，因此工程计划不只涉及地方政府，涉及的单位还包括大道局及公共工程局等，各部门间良好的协调是计划成功的关键。

他说，现在已有业者通过非法管道将光纤管藏在水沟及排水道内，影响排水道作业，雨季加上垃圾阻塞，可能会引起水患。

28电讯装置高频光纤

槟州发展机构电讯服务有限公司与马电讯在3月19日签署5年的合作协议，在第一阶段，马电讯将为槟州已圈定的28个电讯塔装置速度可以达到1Gbps的高频光纤，取代原有的无线电，以便与世界互联网组织衔接。

黄泉安当时说，目前的趋势除了声音，数据及图像传送极为重要，因此需要高宽频设施。同时，也是为了支持在转型中的峇六拜自由工业区朝向研发领域，及医药领域的发展。

目前高度使用高频光纤的亚洲国家包括日本及香港，而韩国则是世界级光纤宽频网络的佼佼者。根据FTTH Council统计，南韩光纤到户渗透率达37%，居全球之冠，而日本则紧接香港之后，位居第3，光纤到户渗透率为24%。

什么是光纤网络

什么是光纤网络（fiber-optic networking） ？

光纤是由玻璃或塑胶纤维组成，将讯息从一端传送到另一端的媒介。

它可以像一般铜缆线，传送电话通话或电脑数据等资料，所不同的是，光纤传送的是光讯号而非电讯号，因此，光纤具有宽频宽、低损耗、屏蔽电磁辐射、重量轻、安全性和隐密性的优点。

光纤系统的传输过程与其他通讯传输的过程大致相同，即编码→传输→解码。电子讯号输入后，透过传输器将讯号数位编码，成为光讯号，光线透过光纤为媒介，传送到另一端的接受器，接受器再将讯号解码，还原成原先的电子讯号输出。

電磁波最新報告漏洞多多‧MCMC：沒實證不跟隨！

星洲日报 北馬
2010-06-26 11:18


黃泉安：“電磁波最新研究報告”有很多爭議，多個權威組織都認為不值得採納其建議！（圖：星洲日報）

（檳城）“電磁波最新研究報告”（BioInitiative Report）漏洞處處，大馬多媒體通訊委員會（MCMC）議決不跟隨！

檳州電訊設備特別委員會主席黃泉安說，大馬多媒體通訊委員會北馬區主任依斯邁早前回信給他，清楚表明該會不採納檳城電磁輻射公害防護聯盟所提出的要求，即全面依循“電磁波最新研究報告”規範的電磁標準。

“依斯邁在信中說，這項研究報告欠缺實證基礎，至少截至目前為止，仍沒有確鑿證據表明電訊塔會嚴重危害健康，而且，大馬所採用的國際非游離輻射防護委員會（ICNIRP）的條例仍然有效，這也被許多國家包括德國認同。”

他說，檳聯盟之前曾高調引用俄羅斯科學家尤利的訴求，但大馬多媒體通訊委員會告訴他，事實上，就算是尤利的母國俄羅斯，也沒有採用“電磁波最新研究報告”的標準，反而是和大馬一樣，使用世衛訂定的規格。

若循聯盟要求將失網絡服務

黃泉安也說，假設按聯盟的要求，實施電訊塔半徑100公尺範圍必須沒有人居住，那麼，城市地區將會沒有任何網絡服務了。因此，他們將不會採納檳聯盟的建議，限制電訊塔。

他是在週五（6月25日）召開新聞發佈會時，這麼說。

提供4報告力證有問題
希望檳聯盟停止爭吵

也是日落洞區國會議員的黃泉安，除了搬出大馬多媒體通訊委員會的答覆外，亦提供了4份報告予所有的媒體，力證“電磁波最新研究報告”是個有問題的報告，而且電磁波及罹患癌症並沒有直接的關係。

“看起來，許多權威研究均認為‘BioInitiative Report’不嚴謹，而且漏洞很多，不值得採用。我會把這些報告呈交首長及州行政議員曹觀友，同時亦會交給聯盟一份。”

他希望檳聯盟能夠停止爭吵，而且不要再把刀口對準檳州政府。

“讓我閉門思過好了！”
黃泉安回應曹觀友要求反省事

針對行動黨檳州主席曹觀友早前接受媒體訪問時，戲言“黃泉安應該反省”一事，他週五笑說：“那讓我閉門思過好了！”
對於“不出席會議”的指責，黃泉安卻轉個彎表示，曹觀友身兼多職，“我相信他有時也會取舍，選一個重要的會議出席。”

他強調，儘管平時很忙，但在國會的出席率上，他卻相當滿意的。

“這是效率的問題。我覺得曹觀友好像不太信任手機簡訊或者是電子郵件，我之前寄給他的信，好多都沒有得到回復。”
7月9辦座談暸解電訊問題

黃泉安也說，為了讓更多行動黨的議員可以瞭解電訊設備的問題，他將在7月9日舉辦一項座談，取名為“檳州電訊設施的展望及挑戰”，希望屆時郭庭愷等州議員可以出席，多多瞭解一番。

黃泉安提出四份報告力證“電磁波最新研究報告”（BioInitiative Report）有問題

歐盟報告摘要（2007年10月30日）

（1）“電磁波最新研究報告”由各作者單獨寫作成章，非一個工作團隊研究後所達成的共識，更沒有列明研究由誰資助、發動以及可能引發的利益衝突，故此不足以構成一個嚴謹的學說。
（2）作者以過份警惕及高度情緒性的語言書寫成章，當中也沒有令人信服的科研報告支撐。
（3）這是一個一面倒的報告，沒有平衡討論各種不同的意見，而且提呈的數據和國際間的研究報告落差甚大。
（4）如果這份報告成立，那失眠、頭痛、疲勞、皮膚失調、敏感、沒有胃口、記憶不好、老人癡呆症等病痛，都是電磁波所引發的，然而，這樣以偏概全的結論可以被接受嗎？
（5）截至目前為止，還沒有一份國際性的研究指出，上述的病症乃電磁波所造成。

荷蘭衛生評議會提呈予房屋、空間規劃及環境部的報告摘要：

（1）“電磁波最新研究報告”由不同作者書寫後集結成書，欠缺團隊的共識，而且有些作者非科研出身。
（2）研究方法不清不楚，令人生疑。
（3）作者選擇性引用例證。
（4）作者引述錯誤的資料。
（5）整份報告淪為主觀的論述，缺乏科學思辨。

無線電製造商（MMF）論壇報告摘要：

（1）“電磁波最新研究報告”並非嚴謹可靠的報告。
（2）報告書內沒有涵蓋新的科學數據，只反映作者群的各自解讀。
（3）沒有提供充份的證據證明，曝露在電磁波內會導致各種疾病的發生。
（4）國際多份報告及專家均指出這份報告欠缺嚴謹、科學的研究方法和論證。

英國醫藥期刊（BMJ）摘要：

（1）最新研究顯示，孕婦就算暴露在電訊塔臨近，她及兒女將來罹患癌症的機會並不會較其他人高。
（2）這項由英國帝國學院公共衛生及流行病研究專家伊利亞特教授從1999年開始做出的研究顯示，孩童罹患各種癌症，和電訊塔沒有直接關係。
（3）如果電訊塔減少，手機就會自動增加電力把訊號發出去，如此一來，反而危險。

星洲日報／大北馬‧2010.06.25

電訊塔輻射製造“白色恐怖” 可在煽動法令下被控

光明日报 北馬
2010-06-25 19:32

曹觀友承認他的確是很少出席國會與行動黨中委會議。（圖：光明日報）

黃泉安：相信黨內有人不斷煽動，希望我與曹觀友的關係會緊張。（圖：光明日報）

大馬通訊與多媒體委員會已經明確告知黃泉安，政府無意採納不具科學論證的電磁場公共暴露標準。（圖：光明日報）

（檳城）檳州政府電訊基設特別工作隊主席黃泉安說，他相信黨內有人不斷煽動，以期促使他和檳州行動黨主席曹觀友的關係出現緊張。

黃泉安是針對被曹觀友認為應該自我反思，因為可能黃泉安經常缺席會議，導致很多議員對電訊公司的事宜一概不知。

黃泉安回應說，雖然他很少出席會議，不過身為國會議員兼黨全國副主席的曹觀友，同樣也很少出席國會與黨中委會議。而身為日落洞區國會議員的他，則出席國會與該黨中委會議的次數，比曹觀友多，維持了良好出席紀錄。這就反映出他和曹觀友對於一些會議，都是選擇性與取捨來決定是否出席。

他還說，由於該黨全國很多各地區部主辦活動或講座會，都會邀請他出席主講，甚至為了檳州政府電訊基設特別工作隊與中央政府通訊、多媒體委員會解決州內電訊塔或發射器問題，促使他必須全國走透透，有時還必須隨團投資檳城機構出國招商、考察。

他強調，他和曹觀友的關係非常良好，也非一般人能夠在背後挑撥。

也是日落洞區國會議員黃泉安，今日（週五，6月25日）在光大28樓檳州首席部長辦公室會議室召開記者會時這麼說。
他指出，為了讓州內的國州議員對於建設電訊塔與發射器指南，以及更廣泛認識電訊發射器是否會危害人體健康，州秘書署與檳州地方政府將於7月9日下午3時主辦電訊塔的課題，屆時希望州內各國州議員踴躍出席。

他披露，有人說他是講座會的受邀者，但其實他屆時是講座會的其中一名主講人，講題為“檳州電訊設施未來展望與挑戰”。

他說，除了他是主講人，檳州發展機構代表瑪力也會針對非法電訊塔的課題，與議員更進一步的交流，並讓議員們從受中再受到教育的機會。

少議員出席電訊塔講座

檳州政府電訊基設特別工作隊主席黃泉安說，其實他曾經辦過兩次有關電訊塔課題的講座會，遺憾的是很少國州市議員出席。他認為，如果上兩次州內的國州市議員都踴躍出席電訊塔的講座會，7月9日就不需要再主辦類似的講座會。
他聲稱，他現在不便公佈缺席講座會的國州市議員的名單，只有在必須要時才會作出公佈。

他希望這次州內的國州市議員不要再缺席，避免再有議員對電訊塔課題一知半解，也希望屆時能夠見到檳州行動黨州秘書郭庭愷也能夠出席該講座會。

他續說，有關大馬通訊與多媒體委員會與各先進國針對電訊發射器是否會危害人體健康釐清報告，將提呈給檳州首席部長林冠英與檳州地方政府委員會主席曹觀友作為參考。

黃泉安週五在光大28樓檳州首席部長辦公室會議室召開記者會後，剛好記者在首長辦公室碰上檳州行動黨主席曹觀友。

曹觀友受詢針對黃泉安指他也同樣選擇性出席國會與該黨中委會議時坦承：“我的確是很少出席國會與該黨中委會議。”之後便表示要趕著上洗手間，拒絕再針對黃泉安的言論發表進一步談話。

電訊塔輻射製造“白色恐怖”
可在煽動法令下被控

檳州政府電訊基設特別工作隊主席黃泉安指出，中央政府通訊與多媒體部，在本季國會辯論時已經明確告訴他，今後任何非政府組織，針對電訊塔輻射危害健康課題而以高壓手段在民間散播不具科學論證，並製造“白色恐怖”，將會在內政部1984年煽動法令下被提控。

他說，內政部1984年煽動法令明確指出，任何人在民間中製造“白色恐怖”，以危害到社會秩序，將會在此法令下被提控。

他表示，這並不是他個人講而已，而且是通訊與多媒體部副部長拿督拿督佐瑟沙朗在國會上這麼答覆。

他希望檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟適可而止，不要再發表沒有科學論證對民眾製造一個“白色恐怖”，混淆人民對電訊塔或發射器電磁輻射恐懼，危害到國家社會秩序。

也是日落洞區國會議員黃泉安，週五在檳首長辦公室召開記者會時這麼說。

他指出，今後任何檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟的言論，他不會再回應，希望有關組織能夠咨詢大馬通訊與多媒體委員會，同時希望他們不要再對州政府採取高壓手段。

他也希望檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟醫藥顧問涂仲儀，能夠出席有關研究電磁輻射的會議，否則勿再發表是是非非的不實言論。

“而且，若檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟近內若與大馬通訊與多媒體委員會進行對話後，希望他們能夠把對話內容公佈出來。”

不採納電磁場公共暴露標準

檳州政府電訊基設特別工作隊主席黃泉安指出，大馬通訊與多媒體委員會已經明確告知他，政府無意採納不具科學論證的電磁場公共暴露標準（Bio-Initiativereport），而且很多先進國家，包括毆盟國家等機構，都已經否決了電磁場公共暴露標準。

他說，檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟的建議，將會對現今的流動及無線網絡供應商帶來諸多不便，尤其是對於供應商在提供優質的服務方面（Qos）。

“此聯盟提出的限制射頻密度（0.6v/m）將造成供應商非得在各個地區設立更多的電訊塔。現今以當前的限制為例，地方當局及通訊與多媒體委員所設立的程序及條件將對那些欲設立新電訊塔的供應商帶來諸多的不便，試想如果採用此聯盟建議的限制，需要實施電訊塔半圓徑100米範圍為無人禁區，那麼，尤其是在城市地區將會沒有任何流動及無線網絡服務了。”

“況且，檳州電磁輻射公害防護聯盟建議的報告書裡，有關Yury博士和俄羅斯國家非電離輻射防護委員會（RNCNIRP）並沒有納入生物學的電磁場公共暴露標準。”

他說，大馬通訊與多媒體委員會不會採用Yury博士電磁場公共暴露標準見解。

光明日報‧2010.06.25

黄泉安：没证据指有害人类 辐射安全指标不修改

■ 黄泉安与依斯迈奥斯曼召开记者会，回应槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟提出的诉求。

光华日报
二零一零年六月二十六日

（槟城25日讯）槟州发展机构电讯服务子公司董事主席黄泉安指出，经过国会及马来西亚通讯与多媒体委员会（MCMC）讨论后，决定继续援引国际非电离辐射保护委员会（ICNIRP），即世界卫生组织（WHO）所设定的地磁辐射规格。

他今日召开记者会，提出3份来自荷兰、世界卫生组织及英国的研究报告，表示槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟所提出的国际大型电磁辐射研究报告（The Biolnitiative Report）缺乏理性科学认证，因此当局不考虑修改我国电磁辐射的安全指标。

“由于没有确凿证据表明射频电磁场辐射会影响健康，因此目前ICNIRP所设的条例仍是充份及有效的。”

他强调，制定电磁辐射安全规格的权限不在州政府，而他已通过所有渠道联系中央，希望槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟以后不再向州政府施压。黄泉安也是日落洞区国会议员，他是在马来西亚通讯与多媒体委员会（MCMC）北马区主任依斯迈奥斯曼陪同下，召开记者会时如是指出。

“州政府没有制定电磁辐射规格的权限，联盟以后若有什么问题，可与马来西亚通讯与多媒体委员会联络，我也祝福他们会谈顺利。”

此外，他说，新闻、通讯及文化部副部长拿督佐瑟在国会回应他时指出，如果该联盟继续混淆民众对电磁辐射的认识，不排除会遭内政部以刑事法典或煽动法令对付。

电讯塔课题　将由曹观友负责

黄泉安指出，继6月30日业者向市政局申请电讯塔合法化到期后，任何有关电讯塔课题将由槟州地方政府委员会主席曹观友行政议员负责。

虽然如此，要“卸任”的他指出，州秘书属将在下月9日，为行动党国、州、市议员举办有关电讯塔课题讲座，而他是该讲座主讲人之一。

“这场讲座由曹观友主持，我会主讲《槟州电讯设施的展望及挑战》，而另一名主讲人PDC电讯服务有限公司的主管阿都玛力，将主讲《非法电讯设施合法化的最新报告》。”

他指出，之前举办的座谈会反应冷淡，这次是给行动党国、州、市议员一个再教育的机会，希望他们不要错过。此外，他表示，电讯塔课题引发不少风波，以文明及理性的手法处理固然重要，但过程劳民伤财，因此他希望槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟不再通过报章发表混淆民众言论，作出超越法律界限的行为。

依斯迈奥斯曼：共用射频可能性低

马来西亚通讯与多媒体委员会北马区主任依斯迈奥斯曼认为，槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟提出的建议对现今流动及无线网络供应方面，带来诸多不便，其中限制射密度0.6V/M，将让供应商在同个地区内设立更多电讯塔。

“如果采用联盟建议的限制，实施电讯塔半圆径100米内范围为无人禁区，那城市地区将不会有任何流动及无线网络服务了。”

依斯迈奥斯曼是通过电邮回应黄泉安时，如是表示。他说，该委员会认为无线供应商共用一个电讯塔是不错的建议，不过并非所有科技都有同样的运作模式，因此共用射频可能性低，他举例，2G、3G及Wimax科技及运作模式各不同，在共享一个电讯设施下，将减少各地区的收发器，无法维持现有服务水平。

他指出，如果槟城电磁辐射公害防护联盟关注如何减少电磁场曝露，那联盟应该提议ICNIRP，即该委员会目前所采用多个水平。“我们的手机也是不停把数据或语音传送回基站，手机离基站越远，所发出的射频更强，反之越接近基站手机射频会更小，因此要减少曝露在射频下，应离基站更靠近。”

若有证据指射频电磁场危害健康　将毫不犹豫采取行动

依斯迈奥斯曼强调，通讯与多媒体委员会时时都有监测电磁场标准（EMF）的发展，若有确凿证据指出射频电磁场危害人类健康，该委员会将毫不犹豫采取行动。

“可是现在没有任何证据指出射频对人类有不良影响，所以目前国际非游离辐射防护委员会（ICNIRP）的条例仍然是充份及有效的，甚至德国也认同这项指标。”

Radiation City – Delhi

Tower lobby: Four telecom towers on the roofs of buildings opposite the Taimoor Nagar Gurdwara cause the EMR levels there to soar
Photo: SHAILENDRA PANDEY

From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 7, Issue 22, Dated June 05, 2010
CURRENT AFFAIRS
cover story

1,800 CELL TOWERS IN 2006. 6,000 NOW. BARE MINIMUM RADIATION LEVELS IN 2006. A THOUSAND TIMES MORE NOW. THERE’S A NEW THREAT IN DELHI, REPORTS RISHI MAJUMDER

REHAAN DASTUR, 46, is an engineer and an industrialist. he owns and runs a profitable Delhi-based boiler manufacturing company called Universal Boilers. So, it is safe to say he is a man of science and not prone to paranoia. Dastur was one of the first users of the cell phone in India. he bought his phone from airtel in October 1997, 15 days before it was commercially released. Cell phone calls cost rs 18 a minute then. Dastur spoke on his phone for hours on end at times. He continued to use the phone even though it had fallen and had developed a crack, because cell phones then were expensive and the crack didn’t affect his phone’s efficiency.

Three years after doing this, in 2000, Dastur suffered a stroke that paralysed his body and distorted and froze his face. The doctor treating him at Delhi’s Apollo hospital told him he had Bell’s palsy, caused by Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) emitted from the antennae in his cell phone. The emr travelled through the crack in the phone, into Dastur’s ears, nerves and brain.

Four-fiths of delhi lives in unsafe zones. The October Commonwealth Games could be most radiation-filled ever
After a month-and-a-half of treatment at the hospital and home, he returned to 95 percent of his former self. Ninety-five percent, because he is in danger of reverting to a paralytic state if he goes near a cell phone tower, or uses a cell phone for too long. “My body is the best device for measuring emr,” he says. “If you take me blindfold through the city, I can point out where the cell towers are by the jangling I feel in my nerves as we pass them by.”

There is a cell phone tower on the roof of Dastur’s office in nehru Place, south Delhi, and another one facing his cabin windows from the other side of the road. so Dastur has converted his cabin into a war bunker. The ceiling and the wall with the windows have been sealed with sheets of lead. There are cell phone towers near his home as well. So Dastur has sealed his home too with lead sheets. “Lead is toxic,” he says. “Continuous exposure to it might damage the brain.”

But, the EMR from the cell phone towers was too big a risk for Dastur’s paralysis and besides, even his family was dealing with increasing headaches, muscle twitching, involuntary limb movement, sleeplessness and other nervous system disorders. Dastur wrote often, asking the authorities to remove the towers. They did not. so he had no choice. Lead sheets were a lesser evil. “We are stuck between the devil and the deep sea.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s home is a ‘borderline’ zone. The headquarters of the Congress is highly unsafe
“People do not understand,” he says. “Because radiation, unlike air, water and sound pollution, cannot be seen or felt. most Indians have only started using cell phones over the past 10 years.” Dastur says he notices that his employees, like his family members, are already complaining of increasing headaches and extreme fatigue. “In five years, emr will be the number one killer after heart attacks.”

There is no other way to say this. Radiation levels of the non-nuclear kind in Delhi may have reached way beyond what humans can live with. Almost four-fifths of the metropolis has people living in the midst of radiation levels ranging from “borderline” to “unsafe” and “extreme anomaly”, which are highly unsafe. Only about a fifth of Delhi lives and works in the safe zone and that is almost entirely where the vvips reside. The October Commonwealth Games, over 12 days, could be the most radiation-filled sports event ever.

These are the findings of a TEHELKA survey of radiation levels in 100 spots across Delhi in the first half of May 2010. The survey is of EMR, the dominant form of radiation in human habitation. This is the first time such an extensive survey of 100 spots has been done for radiation anywhere in india, and it has been done in public interest exclusively for TEHELKA



Illustration: VIKRAM NONGMAITHEM

EMR has a public impact and an individual impact. it impacts a public area when it comes from antennae on cell phone towers, which are the principal source of EMR. Other sources of eMr, which have individual impact, are cell phones, wifi, Bluetooth, microwave ovens, air-conditioners, television sets, refrigerators and other home appliances. here, the risk is private because a person chooses to buy these products and this choice doesn’t affect anyone other than himself and his household..

In the case of eMr from cell towers, however, the risk to health is public. Therefore, TehelkA conducted the radiation survey in public places, with Cogent eMr Solutions limited, a Delhibased company that tracks the increase in eMr levels across india, and does radiation audits for telecom operators.

Cell radiation is slow poison. Effects begin with fatigue and could end in cancer. It is nearfatal for ones with pacemakers
The following are some of the findings of the survey. it is virtually a radiation map of Delhi.

● Forty of the 100 spots have “extreme anomaly” in radiation levels. This means the levels are close to seven times the safe limit. These are high risk areas. The readings were so high at times that the device used to measure the radiation, a High Frequency Analyser, could not record the radiation anymore

●Thirty-one spots have “unsafe” radiation levels. This means the levels are two to six times the safe limit

● Nine spots are “borderline”, just over the safe limit

● Only 20 of the 100 spots surveyed in Delhi have safe radiation levels

● Connaught place and khan Market, two of Delhi’s top marketplaces, have extreme anomaly

● Safdarjung hospital, Modern School in Vasant Vihar, the Delhi Police headquarters, and the ISKCON temple fall in areas with extreme anomaly

●The prime Minister’s residence, 7 Race Course Road, is in the borderline zone

●The All india Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), india’s premier healthcare institution, is in a borderline area

● 10 Janpath, where Congress president Sonia Gandhi lives, is safe

● Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is safe at her official residence, 3 Motilal Nehru Place

●The opening and closing ceremonies, and the athletics competition, of the Commonwealth Games will be held in unsafe areas

●The Yamuna Sports Complex, where the Games table tennis and archery competitions will be held, is unsafe



Metro issue EMR from the Delhi Metro line risks public health in the localities it weaves through
Photo: AFP
DELHI METRO

Quick Transit To Dangertown

The Delhi Metro, another great beacon of progress, is also emitting levels of radiation that are beyond safe norms. This is another worrisome blind spot

BESIDES CELL PHONE TOWERS, another big emitter of electromagnetic radiation in Delhi is the metro. The EMR from metro power transmission lines affects the general public where the metro runs above ground. It runs by houses and marketplaces, endangering people in these areas just as cell phone towers do. At least that’s what the EMR readings of six spots near the metro line, conducted by Cogent in January 2010, seem to suggest.

The EMR at these spots was measured with an electric field strength metre. The maximum limit according to internationally accepted SBM 2003 standards is 5 volt/meter. A German society of scientists came up with these SBM Standards suggesting safe radiation levels for humans. However, the radiation readings at the six metro spots exceeded this.

● At Shastri Nagar Metro Terminal Complex, it was 11000 v/m
● Just beyond Yamuna Bridge on the Shahdara Line, the radiation was 3000 v/m
● Adjacent to Ashok Nagar Metro Station, the reading was 8200 v/m
● Adjacent to Mayur Vihar II Metro Station, it was 9000 v/m
● A building opposite Mayur Vihar I Metro Station registered 12000 v/m
● Outside Noida Sector 15 Metro Station, the metre read 11500 v/m

The hazards to health from electric and magnetic fields emitted in such neighbourhoods by the metro power line are the same as that from cell tower radiation. This means they could cause minor ailments like headaches and sleep disorders in the short term, and make people more prone to lifethreatening diseases like cancer in the long term. Constant exposure, in case of metro power lines running in close proximity of homes, causes risks such as childhood leukaemia, damage to DNA, leakage of calcium and reduction in sperm count.

A properly grounded metal wire grill around the tracks could help prevent direct exposure to homes in close proximity. However, as with the case of radiation from cell towers, there is a stunning lack of awareness among the general public about the safety guidelines for laying metro power lines within residential localities and market places. One would have to go deep into project details, if made available by the authorities concerned, to know the safety measures followed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

Also, Cogent says a far greater number of measurements are needed to conclusively establish constant and high levels of radiation along the elevated metro line.

Generally, radiation is either nuclear or electromagnetic. Nuclear radiation is a form of ionising radiation that harms instantly, like the Cobalt 60 isotope in Mayapuri, Delhi, which killed a ragpicker who touched it without knowing what he was doing. ionising radiation interrupts DNA and causes grievous harm in this way.

EMR from cell phone towers is a form of non-ionising radiation that takes time to show up. it does not interrupt DNA and is similar to the way smoking affects the human body. EMR is like slow poison; it tends to lull people to its effects. So, people may complain of headaches and fatigue, for instance, and attribute them to the hurly-burly of daily life. in time, they may develop a high risk of cancer.

Most of the radiation risk is because the cell phone towers are in residential colonies when they should be away from such places; the antennae on the towers are too low when they ought to be at greater height; they are far too many when there should be fewer; and they are in the wrong places though guidelines specifically state where they should not be.

EMR safety standards in India are based largely on a 1996 document called ‘Health Assessment Statement’ by the Internatio - nal Commission on Non-Ionising Radia - tion Protection (ICNIRP), an international independent non-profit registered in Germany. ICNIRP has science experts who “address the possible adverse effects on human health of exposure to non-ionising radiation”. In their assessment, the ICNIRP said 600 milliwatt/metre square was a safe limit of radiation for the general public. The ICNIRP also issued separate guidelines on maintaining safe limits for cell phone towers, which India’s telecom wing adopted in 2008.

The high risk is because greedy telecom companies do not self-regulate. The official agencies allow wrongdoing
IN INDIA, Cogent classifies emR levels up to 600 mW/msq as safe. Borderline is from 601 to 1000 mW/msq, unsafe is from 1001 to 4000 mW/msq, and extreme anomaly is above 4000 mW/msq.

The TEHELKA survey mapped five schools in delhi. Only one is safe, the delhi Public School in Vasant kunj, South delhi. Two schools are in the unsafe category: Springdales at Pusa Road, and kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, a government school, near New Friends Colony, South delhi. Two are in the extreme anomaly category: Sant Namdev english medium School, a private school near the CGO Complex, South delhi, which enrols students up to Class V; and modern School, Vasant Vihar. This means they recorded radiation levels of over 4000 mW/msq.

The case of the Sant Namdev School is particularly shocking because preadolescent children are far more at risk than adults. The cells in their bodies proliferate at a much faster rate, and they have thinner skulls. Damage here could be serious. And, if the trend in the radiation readings holds, the news could be alarming for most of Delhi’s schools.



Common health The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where the Commonwealth Games will be held, has unsafe EMR levels
Photo: SHAILENDRA PANDEY

Hospitals too are barely safe. The survey mapped eight hospital spots. Only one turned up safe: moolchand hospital. Two hospitals, Sir Ganga Ram and AIIMS, are borderline cases. Two are in the unsafe category: Ram Manohar Lohia, and Shanti Avedna Sadan (near Safdarjung). Three hospitals are in the extreme category: Safdarjung, Fortis, and Batra.

This is another shock because those who are unwell are far more vulnerable to the harmful effects of radiation. Patients with pacemakers might even run the risk of death. One of these spots, the Shanti Avedna Sadan near Safdarjung hospital, is actually a “Home for the Continuing Care for Cancer Patients”. And cancer is a possible long-term consequence of radiation.

The TEHELKA survey mapped three Commonwealth Games sites and only one turned up safe: the Games Village residential complex at Akshardham in East Delhi. Radiation levels at three gates in the Village were 340, 341, and 369 mW/msq respectively, within the safe limit of 600mW/msq. But, the Games complex at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies and the showpiece athletics and weightlifting competitions are to be held, is unsafe. So is the Yamuna Sports Complex where the table tennis and archery competitions are to be held. The worry is that the Games in October, the biggest sports event in India’s history, could be the most radiation-filled sports event ever.

Shockingly, hospitals and schools are in high risk zones. Safdarjung, RML, Modern School and RBI are dangerous
The government is on the slow side, principally because radiation is a blind spot. Few in the administration comprehend emR and its possible fallout. There are many medical consequences people living in delhi should worry about, according to Dr KK Aggarwal, head of Department, Cardiology, Moolchand hospital. Aggarwal is concerned because of the effects of radiation on pacemakers, which many of his patients wear. “The high emR levels shown up in the TEHELKA survey could be life-threatening for patients with pacemakers. It could also make a person prone to cancer.”

Doctors and scientists describe shortterm health disorders caused by this kind of radiation as “microwave sickness” or “radiofrequency syndrome”. This includes headache, fatigue, irritability, sleeping disorders, difficulties in concentration, difficulty in remembering things, depression, and loss of appetite. Diseases contracted in the long term could include leukaemia and brain tumour.

This situation has been caused because the official guidelines for setting up cell phone towers are not followed. In January 2008, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna approved a set of stronger guidelines for the installation of cell phone towers. These included:

● No base station antennae within schools and hospitals because children and patients are more susceptible to electromagnetic fields

● No antennae in narrow lanes to reduce the risks caused by earthquake or wind-related disaster

● Antennae should be at least three metres away from a nearby building and must not directly face the building

● The lower end of the antenna should be at least three metres above the ground or a roof

● Sharing common tower infrastructure should be explored in case of multiple transmitter sites

● Access to base station antenna sites must be prohibited for the general public by wire fencing, locking the door to the roof, etc.

● Access to a tower site should be for a minimum period, as far as possible, even for maintenance personnel

●Warning signs must be at antenna sites saying: “Danger! RF radiations, Do not enter!” and “Restricted Area”

THE MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES

Hazards from EMR range from short to long term. A headache today could mean a tumour tomorrow

IMMEDIATELY Could hinder
pacemakers and ICDs, which could be fatal for patients

3 YEARS Appetite loss, sleep disorders, headaches, short term memory loss

4-5 YEARS Tinnitus, muscle spasms, visual disorder, skin ailments

5-10 YEARS Drop in sperm count, cardio and respiratory problems

8-10 YEARS Acoustic neuroma, brain tumour, leukaemia

In April 2008, senior officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) informed Residents Welfare Associations (RWAS) in Delhi that cell phone towers would henceforth be installed only after consulting RWAs, and would not be left to telecom companies and individual houseowners. On paper, this was good. On the ground, things are a little different.

For instance, a residential building opposite Modern School in Vasant Vihar, a tony South Delhi locality, has a cell tower on it. New Friends Colony, another upmarket residential bloc in Delhi, is ringed by seven cell towers. The antenna on the tower near the colony’s Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, a government school where mostly the poorer families send their children, is barely a metre and a half from the base of the tower. It should be at least three metres above. The VIP wing in the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital has a cell tower visible right behind the wing.

Delhi Blue apartments, a relatively well-maintained residential building a block away from Safdarjung hospital, has three cell towers on it. Delhi Blue is adjacent to the Shanti Avedna Sadan, a home for cancer patients. Then, there are several antennae on top of the Fortis hospital building. There are three towers a block from the Batra hospital. And so it goes, violation after violation. The problem partly is because radiation from cell phone towers is monitored according to guidelines, not laws. A guideline has no penalty if violated.

INA market is close to AIIMS and is a favourite haunt of embassy staff. It has hundreds of footfalls a day as people pick their fruit, vegetables and meats. Sanjeev Kumar, 24, works in a dhaaba in the market and sleeps in a rooftop shanty. Kumar is from Bihar, one of Delhi’s multitude of dailywagers. Kumar’s brother owns the dhaaba where Kumar works, and so it works out cheap to sleep on a rooftop shanty right there.

Trouble is, there are four cell phone towers where Kumar sleeps, and there are more shanties between the towers. There are no signs warning of danger from radiation. There is nothing to warn Kumar and the others to stay away. Instead, there is an advertisement hoarding of Airtel’s mobile services. “Keep in touch”, says the hoarding.

Those who should know better, like professionals and administrators, appear to be as ignorant as the dhaaba worker. The guidelines say no cell phone tower must face another building so that emr may not enter a building directly. But, a tower on top of the Indian Medical Association building faces the Delhi Development Authority’s Vikas Minar office. And a tower in the High Court complex, atop the Lawyers Chambers, faces another building directly.

Some official movement has begun to get a handle on this problem. on April 8, the Department of Telecommunications issued an order, No. 800-15/2010, to telecom operators asking them to submit radiation audits for their towers by may 8. But, this hasn’t been done. Last heard, the telecom companies have asked for more time. Curiously, Vodafone, a leading telecom company, has put out radiation audits of its towers in england but has no such readings for India.



Neighbour’s rage A man calls from a building opposite a cell tower he has complained about
Photo: TARUN SEHARAWAT

Ved Prakash sandlas, a former Chief Controller at the Defence research Development Organisation (DRDO), a Defence Ministry body, says the authorities may be contributing to the mess by not tracking global norms. “some countries, like russia and Italy, are tightening their emr norms further. India must track them and tighten her own policies to decrease radiation,” he says.

According to Sandlas, India could reduce the power of transmitting towers, and hence control the levels of radiation; we could minimise radiation by taking cell towers away from populated areas; the towers could be placed at far greater heights than they are now; or we could use smaller antennae, which look like small dish antennae and don’t emit much radiation in heavily populated areas.

“It will cost additional money to erect taller structures. It will also take money to have smaller antennae because we will need more to transmit the same signals. But, this is how it is done in every foreign city I have travelled to. They have tall towers at great heights, far from human habitation. You can see such towers along the highways. Or, they have small antennae, which are barely visible, in residential areas and marketplaces. Nowhere have I seen towers in the middle of colonies or markets like in India,” Sandlas says.

Sandlas was also a member of a committee that provided inputs to the DoT on safe emr guidelines. It is imperative, he says, to replace current radiation audits done by companies themselves with independent agencies authorised by the government. A couple of choices he suggests are the ministry of Communications Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, which certifies and issues licences to radio stations, or the society for Applied microwave electronic engineer ing and Research (SAMEER), a centre for electromagnetics that works out of Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

HOW SAFE ARE YOU?
EXCLUSIVE TEHELKA 100 SPOT RADIATION SURVEY

There may be something in what Sandlas says. England, which follows the ICNIRP guidelines as India does, has a government body, the Office of Communications, to conduct radiation audits. The US, UK, and Canada have regulations stating that cell phone towers must be 150 feet above “the level of human habitation”. In addition, Canada does not allow cell towers in residential areas. China allows towers in residential areas like India, but has strict guidelines to keep EMR levels below 600 mw/msq, the internationally accepted safe limit.

It’s not that all areas in Delhi are hazardous. The Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi’s third biggest railway station, is showing virtually no radiation. Sonia Gandhi’s residence is within safe radiation limits, as is Sheila Dikshit’s official residence. LK Advani’s residence at 30 Prithviraj Road is safe. India Gate, the Supreme Court, and India International Centre, Delhi’s oldest club for intellectuals, are safe. IIT Gate, one of south Delhi’s hubs, is safe. so, it is possible.

Some of the risk is also being created by the galloping use of cell phones. In October 2008, Delhi was the first metropolis in India to cross 100 percent teledensity, meaning almost everyone had a cell phone and some had more than one. By November 2009, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai had also gone beyond 100 percent teledensity. The November 2009 figures were: Chennai 143 percent, Delhi 138, Mumbai 112, and Kolkata 102.

With demand continuing to rise, telecom companies look for ways to maximise profits. One way of doing this is to mushroom cell towers, by making deals with, say, individual houseowners for a small price. For instance, the number of cell towers in Delhi has jumped from 1800 in February 2006 to over 6000 now, dealing with over 25 million cell phone users. This has consequences. readings in the TEHELKA survey at seven points were compared with readings from four years ago taken by the same company, Cogent. The findings are astounding. At some places, radiation levels have gone up more than 1000 times.

In January 2006, New Friends Colony barely registered radiation at 4.4. mW/msq. Now, the spot is registering 3500 mW/msq, almost six times the safe limit, making it an unsafe zone. There was a minimal 1.7 mW/msq outside the New Delhi Railway Station four years ago. Now, it is registering more than 4000 mW/msq, almost seven times the safe limit and has become an extreme radiation zone. Radiation levels outside Bangla Sahib Gurudwara have gone from 2.2 to 1200 mW/msq; this is now an unsafe zone.


Inhospitable Antennae flout health guidelines on the roof of Fortis hospital, Vasant Kunj
Photo: VIJAY PANDEY

A spot outside the Hyatt Regency, a five-star hotel in the centre of Delhi, has gone from 4.6 to 4000 mW/msq; this is now an extreme radiation zone. Just outside Batra Hospital is now more than 4000 mW/msq, up from 0.93, making it another extreme zone. M-block market, Greater Kailash II, where TEHELKA is headquartered, has gone from 2.2 to more than 4000 mW/msq; this is an extreme risk zone. And, Nehru Place, near Modi Tower, a commercial hub in South Delhi, has gone from 5.5 to over 4000 mW/msq, another extreme radiation zone.

Such are the levels of radiation in these areas that the instrument recording them, the High Frequency Analyser, kind of dances to a stop. Even in areas within the safe limits, the Analyser emits a buzzing sound when it records the readings. in high level zones, the buzz gets much louder. The digital display on the instrument, which gives the reading, vanishes. There is just the number ‘1’ and a dash. This shows the metre cannot display the reading because it is beyond the maximum it can record. if it were actually a reading of 1, it would have shown 001.

Congress lok Sabha member Milind Deora is an active campaigner against EMR. He says enforcement is an important factor in curbing EMR. “if the government can make restaurants free of smoking and keep drivers from using cell phones while driving, i am sure they can enforce the guidelines on cell phone towers as well,” he says.

“Cell phone towers in residential areas must be prevented. Cell phone companies must be barred from airing advertisements showing a pregnant woman holding a cell phone to her belly. instead, these companies must clearly and visibly advertise the harmful effects of EMR from cell phones and cell towers. The argument that cell phones are needed for development is no argument. Who wants development when they have brain tumour?” Deora says.

The danger is escalating also because india depends on telecom companies to self-regulate. This is low motivation for those frenzied about profit. For instance, even in desperately poor areas of Bihar, the billboards are entirely those of telecom companies seducing people to talk more on the cell phone. So, public safety is apparently not a priority area yet for telecom companies.

SO MUCH SO that the industry doesn’t even like talk of EMR. Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance did not respond to queries. And, NK Goyal, Chairman Emeritus of the Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association and founder of the Communication Manufacturer’s Association of india, was sceptical. “What is the proof that the electromagnetic radiation you have detected (in the TEHELKA survey) has come from the cell phone towers?” he asked. “Such radiation can be emitted from a microwave oven too.” He had nothing more to say. it is true that EMR can come from household appliances, FM radio equipment and television transmitters. But, they were not seen in the areas where the TEHELKA readings were taken. There were only cell phone towers.

Because of the proliferation of towers, marketplaces in Delhi are mostly risky zones. Of the 15 markets surveyed, only one is within safe limits: Yamuna Bazar near the ISBT. Three are borderline areas: DlF Mall Vasant Kunj, and South exten sion i and ii. Four are unsafe zones: PVR Saket complex; Select Citywalk Mall, Saket; INA Market; Okhla vegetable market. Seven are extreme radiation zones: Khan Market, Connaught Place, Hauz Khas market, Yusuf Sarai market, M-block market, Greater Kailash II, PVR Priya complex, Vasant Vihar, and Jangpura market.

Of late, the MCD has begun to seal unauthorised cell phone towers. The MCD found 2,952 of the 5,364 towers under its jurisdiction unauthorised. But, they are largely unauthorised on commercial grounds, not for the health risk they pose. The MCD levies Rs 5 lakh and an operator may install a tower if he pays up. However, minimal stipulations on radiation are beginning to be enforced.

As for Dastur, you can’t talk to him on his cell phone anymore. He receives text messages and calls back from his landline. The ‘half paisa a second’ calls are not for him. One of Delhi’s first users of the cell phone is also one of the first to stop doing so.

WRITER’S EMAIL
rishi@tehelka.com

Will the Government Save us from another Industrial Disaster?

http://www.youthkiawaaz.com
June 16, 2010

Radhika Ghose:

Or do they only wake up when 20,000 are Dead? Just like in the case of the Bhopal Tragedy. Everyone knew the tragedy was going to take place.

This time it is the Telecom Industry who are responsible. Not outside sources!

Today, the people and Government especially those living in Delhi and Mumbai are aware of the dangers of cell phone towers, only some prefer their own wealth over others’ health.

Whilst it is a known established fact that cell phones could cause long term damage, due to the radiation emitted from them, people say they want proof regarding the dangers of cell phone towers. Why should radiation from a single cell phone affect people, but not 100s of cell phone towers established in residential and other areas? Is the radiation from cell phone towers less than that what is emitted from a single cell phone? Something to think about!

Is the growing number of cancer patients and even deaths, of those living in High Risk areas, not enough to make the government swing into action and ban cell phone towers from residential buildings? Or ensure that the safety measures are maintained? Or is the deteriorating health of the Citizens of these areas now a “norm” and insignificant? What will it take for the Authorities to wake up?

With over 28 cell phone towers over my own head, this issue is extremely important to the lives of myself and my grandparents. Unfortunately our Building Society is among those who place their wealth over health.

Whilst reports initially stated that the effect is on those who face cell phone towers, the Tehelka investigation cites cases in which there have been 4 cases of Cancer in 5 years, in a building which has two cell phone towers above it. Can you understand my fear? In any case relating to the other fact, we also face Regency Hotel which another report has highlighted as an extremely high risk area.

In Delhi, the affected population has been children, with almost 4/5th of the population living in high risk areas, and in Mumbai there are a number of increasing cancer cases in high risk areas, but the building societies and authorities still need proof? There is information gathered from several articles and reports conducted internationally which provide proof. Do circulate the facts that have obviously been missed, by many!

To begin at home, other than leading newspapers who have also been creating awareness regarding this issue, Tehelka in doing what they are known to do best – Investigative Journalism and Expose’s – have covered this issue with great detail. Hence I am not going to include their findings here, but urge you all to read it not only to read about the actual cases, but also to understand what we as Citizens should be doing.

Radiation City – Delhi -http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=Ne050610coverstory.asp

Radiation City 2 – Mumbai - http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=Ne120610coverstory.asp

Radiation City – Bangalore And Chennai –

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=Ne190610radiation_city.asp

Whats Next ?

International Reports and Studies

A study in Germany revealed that the proportion of newly developed cancer was three times higher among those who had lived at a distance of upto 400 m from the transmitter.

The Same Article revealed a study in Israel which stated the risk of cancer was 4.15 for those living near the cell-phone transmitter compared with the entire population of Israel.

(http://www.emf-health.com/articles-celltower.htm)

In 2005 study by Gursatej Gandhi, a researcher in the Human Genetics Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, found that “exposure to radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the use of cellular phones has increased dramatically and is reported to affect physiological, neurological, cognitive and behavioural changes and to induce, initiate and promote carcinogenesis

A Swedish study in 1993 demonstrated a 1.7 times higher risk of leukaemia in adults and a 2.7 times higher risk for childhood leukaemia from exposure to EMFs.

A few years back, the California Department of Health Services concluded after a seven-year study that EMF exposure is a risk factor for childhood leukaemia.

(http://www.liveindia.com/news/radiation6.html)

A Video Warning People to stop using Cell Phone Towers

http://www.liveindia.com/news/radiation.html

A Kerala High Court by a doctor seeking a direction to a cell phone company preventing them from installing a telecommunication tower near his house. He stated in his petition that the telecommunication company had not bothered to inform the people about the ill-effects of putting up such a tower and hence the project be stalled.

http://www.liveindia.com/news/radiation2.html

Both the Tehelka Articles and Live India Article suggest methods and ways in which we can contact people and protect ourselves from the Radiaton. Please make sure you have a look and ensure that there is enough awareness about the Issue.

(March 12th, Mumbai Mirror)

In Mumbai, the State government appointed an expert committee to investigate hazards posed by cell phone towers a top residential has invited the public to write in about health problems they have been facing due to the presence of mobile towers.

Headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Health Services) Sharvaree Gokhale, the committee includes secretaries of other government departments, besides BARC scientists, and is to submit a report in three months, underlining new norms for such installations.

“We have met and discussed how to go about preparing our report. We have already received few complaints which will be put before the experts.

We call upon more residents to write their complaints, which we will definitely take cognizance of,” said Gokhale.

State Health Minister Suresh Shetty added, “The Delhi Municipal Corporation has established some rules and regulations for setting up mobile towers. When preparing our final report, we will definitely check out the guidelines they have recommended.”

Citizens can write to the Health Services Department at Mantralaya, drawing attention on the envelope to “Cellphone towers committee

(http://www.mast-victims.org/index.php?content=news&action=view&type=country&id=81)

Many of us today, were not around to spread awareness during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the older generations are repenting now. This is the time to act – please do not let us all down!

image: http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/indian-solar-powered-cellphone-tower.jpg

Cell Phone Antennas on Apartment Rooftops and their Health Effects

From: magdahavas | February 17, 2010 | 1,844 views
A woman provides testimony as to the illness she experienced after living for two months underneath an array of cell phone antennas that were placed directly above her bedroom and balcony. Some of her symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, skin pain, rashes, brain fog, buzzing in her ears. For more information visit www.magdahavas.com.