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Delhi pleads against cell towers
India Created: 6 Sep 2007
NEW DELHI: The growing number of mobile phone towers in the capital seems to have raised alarm bells in the power corridors. With no defined standards to check harmful electromagnetic radiation (EMR) being emitted from these towers, Delhi Government has sought Centre's help in the matter.

"There are around 3,000 towers of cellular service providers and daily one or two tower is being added. However, there is no defined standards for safe radiation levels or say data about how much radiation is being emitted from them," a senior Delhi Government official told PTI here.

Also, in the absence of any legislation, the government is helpless to take any decision in the issue, he said giving instance of a case where some villagers recently stopped installation of a tower in their neighbourhood.

Though there is a draft guideline prepared by the Telecom Engineering Centre and under consideration of the department of telecom in this regard, the official said that given the "clout" which the cell phone manufacturers enjoy, it is not easy to tighten noose around them.

"It is high time that we have a proper legislation in place to bring the cell phone towers under legal framework," he said.

He pointed out that phones and base station antennae used by telecom operators radiate energy that heats up tissues and may be harmful to human beings, especially children.

Concurs Jawaharlal Nehru University Prof J Behari, who is conducting a research in this field, "It is not only in India that such things are creating panic among people, many years back, WHO had warned countries to adopt serious measures towards this possible hazard.

"Many countries including Canada, Germany, Italy, China, US, Sweden etc have implemented various legislative measures in this direction," he added.

"Pending legislation, at least we can have some stringent monitoring mechanism that can ensure implementation of guidelines to safeguard human beings against such possible undesired effects," adds VP Sandlas, former chief controller of Research and Development wing of DRDO.

He said even former president APJ Kalam was concerned at the increased use of radio frequencies because of ever increasing number of mobile phones and expansion of mobile communication networks.

Quoting Kalam with whom he worked at DRDO, Sandlas said, "he (Kalam) was of the view that in addition to creating mutual electromagnetic interference, these are causing excessive electromagnetic pollution and electromagnetic radiation hazards."

China has imposed stringent guidelines to prevent harmful effects of the radiation from cell phones and towers but In India we are yet to take up the issue seriously, he said stressing on need to have more study in the field.
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Source: India Times, 05 Sep 2007

Govt may ban cellphone use by teens
India Created: 31 Aug 2007
The government is thinking of banning children from using cellphones because of possible health hazards.

However, the cell phone industry says there is no evidence to show there are any hazards.

In its preliminary findings, the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) says mobile phone use puts some groups at risk.

It says children under 16 should be stopped from using mobiles because it can cause them tissue damage.

The TEC's brief was to examine international guidelines on radiation levels that human beings can be exposed to.

These guidelines have been adopted by the US, UK and Japan among other countries. But the mobile phone industry calls the report alarmist and cites its own studies.

''We have also got studies done and all of them say that there are no health hazards. Powerful organizations like the WHO, health councils etc say there is no evidence whatsoever,'' said T V Ramchandran, Director General, COAI.

But the generation at the centre of this debate is clear that it wants the freedom to make an informed decision.

''It's the consumers choice, and if we are willing to take the risk then we should be allowed to. I would buy a cell phone anyway,'' said a boy.

The issues that the TEC has looked at till now need to be ratified before they can be framed as recommendations to the Telecom Ministry, which may take anywhere between four to five months.

But once that happens the safety regulations for using mobile phones will certainly be more stringent than before.
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Source: NDTV.com, 29 Aug 2007

Glued to your I-pod, cellphone? Not good say docs
India Created: 28 Aug 2007
New Delhi: While your I-pod may have become your favourite tech essential, there’s a word of caution - it might have more than just good music in store. It could leave you irritable, sleepless or with violent mood swings, says a recent study. And experts say all for a simple reason.

“Cell phone, I-pod or a microwave all emit EMR or Electromagnetic Radiation. And research shows that there is both a thermal and an ionising effect from the commonly used appliances, which could have a potential harmful effect on you,” says ENT Surgeon, Dr Ameet Kishore

But some doctors feel that this potential harmful effect is not always real.

“Overuse a particular thing can always have adverse effects whether it's a cell phone or an I-pod. But its not clear from the study that the symptoms like irritability, mood swings are caused because of talking too much or because of the gadget,” says Neurologist, Dr P N Renjen.

While some doctors feel the risk is more for professionals whose work involves radiation, others feel that it's also got to do with an individual's electro sensitivity.

“Some people may be more sensitive to electromagnetic fields than others that might effect them more. Also, each type of human tissue has certain power to absorb frequency level and if that level exceeds, it could affect human health to a great extent,” says Kishore.

So are some gadgets then more harmful? Yes, and it depends on the proximity of the use. For example, talking for hours on you cell phone can effect the tissues of your brain. But using a microwave for a few seconds might not affect you so much.
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Source: CNN-IBN, 27 Aug 2007

Waves from microwaves, I-pods may affect health: study
India Created: 17 Aug 2007
Kolkata : The next time you use an I-Pod, a microwave oven or a high-speed food processor, make sure you are not exposed to harmful electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that may lead to irritation, violent mood swings or sleeplessness, says a recent study.
The study by Cogent EMR Solutions Ltd, a leader in the field of anti-EMR technology and a member of the Global Wellness Foundation, has found that EMR, a self-propagating wave with electric and magnetic components, poses a major threat to human health due to excessive use of electronic devices.

Carried out with the help of four scientists associated with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it found that EMR rates in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore were much higher than the permissible limit.

"Electromagnetic radiation is really hazardous for human health as it has penetration power to affect tissues," Zafar Haq, CEO OF Cogent EMR, told IANS, adding that EMR aids in changing energy circulation and behaviour of blood cells in the human body.

It can cause irritation, violent mood swings, sleeplessness, lack of concentration, low sperm count and cancerous diseases, Haq said, adding that they would conduct a similar study in Kolkata next month.

He said mobile phone towers were also a potential source of powerful EMR.

Medical experts, however, underplayed the alarming findings, saying there was no documented evidence to prove that electronic products like mobile phones and microwaves caused health hazards.

"Though EMR has some potential to penetrate human tissues, there is no documented evidence to prove mobile phones, microwave ovens or other household electronic products radiate EMR," said NRS Medical College and Hospital oncology head Subir Ganguly.

Admitting the dangerous effects of EMR, Sukalyan Chattopadhyay of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics said electromagnetic waves do damages human tissues.

Chattopadhyay, who is also associated with Big Bang Theory research at CERN in Geneva, added: "Each type of human tissue has certain power to absorb frequency level and if that level exceeds, it does affect human health to a great extent."

He explained that EMR is categorised into several types considering its frequency of waves. These include radio waves, microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.

EMR carries energy and momentum that might be imparted when it interacts with other matter, he said.

The Cogent EMR study for determining the effect of hazardous EMR revealed that exposure of human blood lymphocytes to continuous resonant frequency (RF) radiation of 830 MHz electromagnetic fields for 72 hrs - at temperatures ranging from 34.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius - could lead to fatal diseases.

Such RF radiation is emitted by high-speed electronic devices, including microwaves, hair driers and automatic shavers.

It found that growing exposure to electric transformers that emit 50-60 hertz low level electromagnetic fields (EMF) may block melatonin, a type of natural neuro-hormone produced by the brain. It can also affect the ability of melatonin to suppress breast cancer cells from further multiplication.

Melatonin helps maintain body temperature and cholesterol levels by reducing risk of coronary heart disease and chances of blood pressure.

It was also observed that eight hours of radiation from a TDMA (GSM Time Division Multiple Access) cell phone could result in a 40 percent increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme level, an indication for increased multiplication of cancer cells.

The study further revealed EMF exposure through mobile phones may affect rapid eye movement during sleep.
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Source: Indian Muslims, Soudhriti Bhabani, 16 Aug 2007

Ire over tower atop school
India Created: 15 Aug 2007
A cellphone tower set up two months ago on the roof of Bally’s Durgapur Pallimandir Balika Vidyamandir has local residents up in arms. They have launched a signature campaign highlighting the harmful effects that the tower could have on the schoolchildren.

According to scientists, exposure to strong electromagnetic radiation can lead to memory loss, giddiness, headache and, in extreme cases, tumour or cancer in the brain.

“We have sent letters to the state pollution control board, the district magistrate of Howrah and the authorities at various levels with signatures of more than 300 residents, including the parents of the schoolchildren,” said Ganesh Sengupta, the president of Ganatantrik Paribesh Raksha O Gana Unnayan Committee of Bally Durgapur.

Sushanta Mondal, whose daughter Sushmita studies in Class VI in the school and suffers from a congenital cardiac problem, started the campaign after reading about the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation in a magazine.

The LIC agent said he would transfer his daughter to another school if the tower is not removed soon.

Somnath Narayan, an environmental engineer with the pollution control board, told Metro that in the absence of a law on cellphone towers, the board’s hands were tied. He confirmed receiving letters from various organisations and individuals against the tower.

The board has asked the service provider to appear before the hearing officer at Paribesh Bhavan on Friday, failing which the authorities will “issue the necessary regulatory order and take legal steps”.

Gana Unnayan Committee has also been asked to attend the hearing.

The company declined to comment on the matter.

It is mandatory for cellphone service providers to set up towers at least 150 ft from the ground, said Zafar Haq, the CEO of Cogent, a Delhi-based organisation that conducts “radiation audits”. In the Bally school, the children on the top floor are hardly 15 feet away from the tower.

Haq also stated that research has shown that electromagnetic radiation affects children more than adults.

The company has donated Rs 75,000 to the local panchayat and has paid the first instalment of the monthly rent of Rs 7,500 to the school for setting up the tower.

Panchayat pradhan Mitra Mukherjee and headmistress of the school Alpana Majumdar said they were not aware of the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation.

“The Rs 75,000 that the company donated to us was kept for the construction of a science lab at Durgapur Pallimangal Boys’ School. However, if the government directs us to remove the tower, we will obviously do so,” said Mukherjee.
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Source: Calcutta Telegraph, RITH BASU, 14 Aug 2007

Indian cancer cure
India Created: 20 Jul 2007
A Botanist in India claims he's discovered a plant which can cure cancer.

Using the traditional Indian herbal therapy, Ayurvedia, he says it's benefited hundreds of his patients and even cured some of them.

Doctor Zacharia Jacob uses plants grown in his garden to cure cancer as well as chicken pox, small pox, fever, diabetes and even leprosy.

Orthodox cancer doctors in India have dismissed the natural treatment as witch doctoring.

They do agree that it gives the patients a better quality of life, which may lead to recovery, but they doubt the plants can actually cure the cancer.

However scientists at the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute in the United States have researched the claims and found that the natural treatment reduced the growth rate of tumours in mice.
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Source: Sky News, 19 Jul 2007

Chimbel VP decides against installing mobile tower
India Created: 18 Jul 2007
MERCES, JULY 15 – The Chimbel panchayat, on Sunday, sought to put to rest the controversy surrounding the construction of a mobile tower in the village with the Sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar categorically stating that the new panchayat body has unanimously decided not to grant NOC to the project in view of considerable opposition from the villagers.

This, revelation was made by the Sarpanch when the controversial mobile tower issue was threatening to blow out of proportion, with the villagers favouring the project and those against it creating a pandemonium at the gram sabha.
Villagers opposing the project, led by Chimbel Villagers Social Action Forum president Lourdes Conception, contended that since the BDO has already issued a stop order to the illegal construction being carried out allegedly for the purpose of erecting a mobile tower, the panchayat should have issued a demolition order to the same and not put up the issue for discussion in the gram sabha agenda.
On the other hand, villagers led by Francis D’Souza exhorted the panchayat to issue the NOC on the grounds that the project has already been cleared by various departments like the PWD, Health, etc.
A long heated discussion also took place between Francis and panch member Shailesh Chopdekar with Francis blaming Chopdekar for inciting the villagers against the project.
However, the villagers informed that their opposition to the project is due to the health hazard the mobile tower would create and that Chopdekar, as a ward member, is only backing their just cause.
Later, speaking to Herald Sarpanch Chandrakant informed that all the eleven members of the panchayat have voiced opposition to the project and hence a decision has been taken not to grant NOC for the same, keeping in mind the wishes of the people.
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Source: Herald, 17 jul 2007

Tele-pangs
India Created: 14 May 2007
Readers letter to the newspaper The Hindu.

I live on the ninth floor in a high-rise apartment in Vaishali Sector-9 at Ghaziabad. About four months ago, a Reliance cell phone tower started coming up in an adjacent "farm house" (how such a commercial operation got permission to function from an agricultural-mainly plot is, of course, another story) on the north-eastern side, extremely close to a large number of apartments in this vast group housing complex called Supertech Estate.

We approached the UP Pollution Control Board office in Vasundhara Sector-16, who expressed total ignorance. We supplied to them references to a large number of studies showing that long-term exposure to cell phone tower antenna microwave radiation can cause very serious health problems like increased growth of brain cancer cells, high chance of leukaemia, neurological changes and increased breaks in DNA.

We also approached the District Magistrate, the Mayor of Ghaziabad, and the Ghaziabad Development Authority -- all with copies of references to many studies which show that these deadly diseases are statistically far more likely if we are exposed to high-intensity microwave radiation. We have also apprised the senior residents of nearby Judges Colony -- again with copies of references.

All our activity resulted in a letter from the Pollution Control Board to Reliance asking for a reply, but nothing more has happened. Meanwhile, the said tower with antennae is now functional, radiating very high intensity microwaves directly at many apartments where a large number of children, senior citizens and others are staying.

Is private profit of Reliance so much more important than grave threats to the health and life of so many innocent citizens, including children? Doesn't our fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution get violated by this brazen act of Reliance Telecommunications?

Whom do we approach now ? Will the higher authorities in UP and the judiciary take notice ?

Soumya Dutta,
Flat 912 Regent,
Supertech Estate,
Vaishali Sector-9, NCR
Ghaziabad - 201010, UP.
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Source: The Hindu, Soumya Dutta, 14 May 2007

A new look at our DNA
India Created: 10 Apr 2007
Modern wave genetics is a key area to watch out for - This is one experience which will go a long way in proving a lot of metaphysical stuff, like telepathy, healing affirmation methods, human body response to colours and crystals, effects of electro magnetic waves in restructuring human organs, etc.

Each human carries within his body a microchip, which we call the DNA, present in each and every cell. This high-powered chip is a technically high-speed molecule of matter with three Gigabit storage capability. Its function, as now proved by scientists, is to take in information, electro-magnetically, from the environment, store it, and emit it when required, by changing its code.

The DNA, a spirally wound piece of a cell can be stretched out to a length of about two metres. It is known to oscillate at a frequency of 150 megahertz. Coincidentally, or by Divine design, this is the exact range of frequency which humans use for telecommunications, and microwave engineering.

Obviously then, the DNA can store all harmonic waves of 150 megahertz, which would logically include visible light. When the radiation of the DNA was examined, it was found to emit a blue colour, relating to the 22nd octave of the 150-megahertz vibration.

Another strange coincidence is that our own world appears to be a sky blue, when seen from anywhere in the Universe. This is because when the sun's rays hit the Earth, the solar radiation is broken up in such a way that the sky appears to be a beautiful blue. So underneath the various colours of the human skin of all races, the blue radiation pervades.

Scientists, probing the light wave absorption and emission of its radiance found that it acted like a communicator to other wave forms in the atmosphere around it. That led them to look further and discover that this DNA could probably be further manipulated by electro-magnetic radiation.

Now Western scientists had all along looked at the DNA as a protein producer, as a biochemical function of major propensity. A Russian scientist, Dr. Pjotr Garjajev, biophysicist and molecular biologist could not accept this limited version of the function of the DNA, which, according to him, only explains about 10 percent of what the DNA's functions are. The other 90 percent was considered the silent part of it.

He thought that the genome could not be understood fully, if only exclusively looked at through the eyes of biochemists. Orthodox dogma had prevented Western scientists from actually being objective enough to take into account certain scientific observations, which they thought were not accurate enough to be so noted.

The Russian scientists have brought to light revolutionary realizations, which expand our understanding of human genetics, to include certain metaphysical beliefs, which only needed this kind of proof to show their existence as spirituality being the highest form of science!
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Source: Hindustan Times, Veena Minocha,

Lifestyle gadgets hazard healthy living
India Created: 26 Mar 2007
NEW DELHI, March 25: Scientists here claimed that 95 per cent of animals exposed to electromagnetic radiation - emitted from cell phones and appliances like microwaves - within the safe limits as per international standards may develop brain tumours. They asked the government to frame regulations and limits for human exposure to radiation emitted by such devices.
Sources in the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said a meeting involving ICMR officials and experts from other related fields including representatives from the ministry of telecom recommended that since there are no standard guidelines in India regarding electromagnetic radiation, it would not be amiss to follow the internationally prevailing ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines that cater to workers as well as public health interests. The department of telecom is in the process of framing guidelines, they said.
Animal experiments were carried out at the School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, about eight months back. The animals were given electromagnetic radiation which was less than the safe limits as per international regulations. “Over 95 per cent of animals developed brain tumour in the group which was given radiation,” Prof Jitendra Behari said. Animals were divided into two groups, one exposed to radiation and the other which was not. Those who were exposed were given a radiation dose of 0.1 watt per kg two hours a day for 35 days.
In recent times, there has been a growing concern among the public regarding the potential human health hazard of exposure to radio frequency radiation by man made appliances. Due to explosion in radio and TV broadcasting stations, radio telephone networks, cordless phones and cell phones, the density of radio waves and microwaves now is many millions of times more than natural levels, according to experts. With 1.6 billion people across the world (more than 20 per cent of world’s population), using cell phones, radiation from the use of these devices is a global concern.
The same is the case with other appliances such as microwaves. Radiation limit for human consumption is measured as specific absorption rate, which is 10 micro watts per square cm, according to international guidelines. Recent research has indicated that the chronic exposure of microwave and mobile radiation causes increase in breaking of DNA in sperms and brain cells of rats. Prolonged exposure can cause cell death, decrease in sperm cells and a possibility of increase in cancer risk, according to scientists.
Assessment of electromagnetic radiation in north Indian cities including Delhi and locations of mobile towers, by a company called Cogent EMR Solutions, showed high radiation levels in all locations. Pre-adolescent children and pregnant women are at a greater risk, Dr VS Tripathi, vice president (technical) of the company said. The issue was discussed at a two-day seminar on “Electromagnetic Fields in Environment: Implications and Solutions”.
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Source: The Statesman, Savita Verma, 25 Mar 2007

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