‘Indians unaware of cellphone radiation danger’
PHD Chamber senior vice-president A. B. Shriram gifts sapling to Juhi Chawla during discussion on Mobile Tower— PTI
An average Indian is exposed to 5-10 times higher levels of electromagnetic radiation, emitted from cellular towers and mobile phones compared to the United States, which could lead to serious heath hazards, including cancer, infertility and nervous disorder.
A leading American health expert and researcher, Dr Devra Lee Davis, asserted that there are “serious” health risks both long and short term most Indians are faced with, as they continue to remain “unprotected and unaware” of the harm that the cellular radiation poses. “In Delhi, like in most parts of India, we can clearly see that cellular towers have been put up directly over residential houses and there is little separation between the tower radiators and citizens. This is a very serious problem and poses significant health risks for people here,” Dr Davis told this newspaper.
The renowned epidemiologist and toxicologist said that, unlike in countries like Singapore, the mobile companies in India had clearly shown no safety concerns for the people. “With these towers effectively working 24/7, those working and staying in the proximity of these towers face very serious risks.”
While speaking at an event, titled “Cell Tower and Mobile Radiations — Perceptions, Threats and Solutions,” in the national capital on Tuesday, the expert emphasized that public needed to be made more aware about cellphone and wireless Internet radiation and its effects that include problems with perception, memory and sleep, among other vital functions.
Dr Davis said that cellphone radiations increased risk of brain cancer, tumors of the acoustic nerve, salivary gland cancers in the cheek and may affect male fertility, as men commonly store their cellphones in their front pockets. She said there is evidence that cellular radiation could be harmful to expectant mothers and their unborn children, who are susceptible to exposure of radiation. “The womb in its last months of pregnancy is affected by radiation the most. The spinal cord of the baby is affected. In men, moreover, studies have shown that the sperm count levels decrease with increased radiation. Babies also have thin skulls and are more vulnerable to radiation, she said, adding: “Up to 4,500 pregnant women seeking treatment at the hospital attached to the Yale University have been educated about the ill-effects of radiation on the womb, since the beginning of the year under the Baby Safe Project.”
The expert said much of the research into the biological effects of cellphone radiation has been underwritten by the cellphone industry and they had fought independent scientists who studied cellphones, & helped produce questionable science that had clouded the issue.
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