Not enough proof to support radiation theory, says expert body

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) The Government today said an expert committee set up to look into the issue of health hazard posed by radiation from mobile phone towers was of the opinion that there was not enough evidence to support this contention.

The Committee, headed by the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, was expected to prepare precautionary guidelines for protection of the public from electro magnetic radiation from mobile phone towers and mobile phones within the next four months, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi told the Rajya Sabha.

Admitting that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone towers and other electronic devices such as airports, bank ATMs, call centres, electrical sub stations, and generator sets has been engaging the attention of the Government, the Minister said in a written reply that the experts' panel, set up on the directions of Mumbai High Court followig a PIL, had, however, recommended adopting a precautionary approach till further research data was available.

It had suggested adoption of the radiation protection guidelines set by the International Council for Non-ionizing to limit electro magnetic force exposures. Further, in order to develop expertise in this area, the Ministry of Telecommunication had also set up a multi-disciplinary committee to examine the issue of adopting international guidelines for electro magnetic radiation from mobile phone towers.

The Minister noted that in the recent issue of the British medical journal Lancet doctors have warned against the outdoor use of cell phones during stormy weather. The Australian Lightning Protection Standard also recommends that metallic objects such as cordless or mobile phones should not be used, she added.

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