New mobile radiation norms from Sept 1
NEW DELHI: India is all set to clamp down on excessive radiation emanating from cellphone handsets and towers. According to the new radiation norms coming into effect from September 1, the radio frequency (RF) exposure limits are to be lowered to 1/10th of the existing level.
It will also become mandatory for the specific absorption level (SAR) — the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body — to be embossed and displayed on the mobile handset by the manufacturer. SAR level for mobile handsets will also be restricted to 1.6 watt/kg, averaged over a mass of 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile handsets manufactured and sold in India or imported will now be checked for SAR limit compliance.
The government is also making amendments in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to ensure mobile handsets satisfying radiation standards will be permitted for import/manufacture or sale in India.
Minister of state for communications and IT Sachin Pilot said, "Necessary changes in the design and packaging for compliance with this instruction will have to be in place on or before September 1. More stringent self-certification will become mandatory for every tower and mobile handset."
He added, "The ministry will conduct random checks for RF exposure. Violation of radiation limits or non-certification will entail a fine of Rs 5 lakh per tower."
The new norms stipulate the manufacturer's mobile handset booklet to ask consumers to use a wireless hands-free system with a low power bluetooth emitter to reduce radiation to the head. It will also instruct buyers "when buying a cellphone, make sure it has a low SAR".
The booklet will also have to instruct the consumer to either keep their phone calls short or send a text message (SMS), the advice specially applying to children, adolescents and pregnant women.
Manufacturers will also have to instruct people with medical implants like pacemakers not to keep their mobile phones on their shirt pockets and to keep them at least 30 cm away from the implant.
Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Tuesday, "Many countries have developed their own health-based precautionary guidelines where the exposure limit of these radiations is very low. As per the inter-ministerial committee on EMF radiation, the RF level has been revised in India to 1/10th of the existing prescribed base station emission level."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-mobile-radiation-norms-from-Sept-1/articleshow/15499480.cms
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