INDIA Calls to improve phone safety information
Abstract
NewsINDIA Calls to improve phone safety information SAGE Publications, Inc.2008DOI: 10.1177/14664240081280051303 Phone operators in India have urged the government to tackle “misinformation” about health concerns related to electromagnetic radiation when using mobile phones. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) have cited various global studies proving there is no health hazard, after the publication of a report from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Engineering Centre (TEC) suggesting the use of mobiles could be harmful for some sections of the population. The DoT TEC report claimed the radiation from phones and antenna towers could result in health problems for vulnerable people, especially children and pregnant women, a claim refuted by the COAI. COAI director general, Mr T.V. Ramachandran, said extensive research had been undertaken at top organisations, including the World Health Organisation, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), the British Medical Association, the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency which suggested that there were no adverse health effects from mobile phone usage. “Many expert panels have concluded that compliance with the existing science-based ICNIRP standards is sufficient to protect public health.