India’s Department of Telecommunications has issued new rules for radiation emissions from towers, effective Sept. 1.
Mobile operators in India said they have taken proactive steps to comply with the new rules of reduced radiation emission – reducing levels by 10 percent. Current radiation levels of 4,500 milliwatts per square meter must be lowered to 450 milliwatts per square meter.
After a public outcry, the Indian government set up a committee of specialists in August 2010 that examined environmental and health-related concerns with regards to electromagnetic radiation. The report indicated most studies could not prove a link between radiation and health.
However, Indian citizens have claimed living near the numerous towers has caused health problems. An Indian citizen recently petitioned to ban installing mobile phone towers within 50 meters of schools, hospitals and residences. He said his son died of cancer caused by radiation from a mobile tower on the roof of his house.
