Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) welcomes the Kerala High Court order stating that there is no evidence of adverse effects on people’s health due to EMF emissions from the antennas on mobile towers (mobile towers). The court further stated that mobile telecommunication towers being harmful for people is a debatable subject across the world.
The landmark order was pronounced in response to a writ petition (WP 24569/2012) filed by Indus Towers Limited seeking police protection for erecting towers at Peringmala in Nedumangad, Kerala. The earlier full bench and division bench judgments held there is no proof that mobile towers cause health hazards and directed the police to provide police protection against the obstruction and interference caused by objectors.
In its order, the Kerala High Court stated that:
- Telecom Towers affecting the health of people is an issue still being debated across the world.
- Prima facie there is no evidence linking any harmful effects of Telecom Towers on people.
- If a company has obtained the necessary licences and permits, they cannot be obstructed from erecting and commissioning Towers.
Commenting on the order, Mr. Rajan S Mathews, Director General COAI, said: “We welcome the decision of the Honourable High Court of Kerala. We are fully committed to the sensitivities and concerns of our customers and believe that this landmark order will debunk several myths propagated by certain groups. I am sure the verdict of the Kerala High Court will go a long way in the removal of fears about the safety of EMF emission from telecom towers all across India. He further added that citizens of India now enjoy safety limits on EMF emission lower than citizens in over 90 {af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of the countries of the world, post the Government of India lowering the safety limits by 90{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} last September, for “abundant caution”.
India’s mobile industry complies and conforms to norms mandated by the Department of Telecom (DoT) which lowered by 90{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3}, the norms mandated by international regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP guidelines are regarded as the most credible and are followed by 95{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of the countries across the world. It should also be noted that the DoT made such a reduction of the ICNIRP levels entirely as a measure of abundant precaution as there is no conclusive scientific evidence till date which links EMF emissions from mobile towers to health hazards.
It is also pertinent to note that the emission safety norms set by the Govt. of India have been determined keeping in mind all the possible groups that may be affected and has enough safety margins to provide safeguards to everyone – from pregnant women, to children, senior citizens, etc, in all locations. Hence there is no further requirement to have separate safety norms for mobile tower locations in residential, school or hospital areas.
All telecom operators in India, in accordance with their license conditions, are in compliance with the safety standards and guidelines for EMF as laid down by the DoT. Indian Mobile Service Providers undergo stringent measurements and audits and provide certificates regarding compliance with these standards for each Base Station antennae. Additionally, regular and stringent audits are done by the Government’s TERM cells to ensure that the towers are compliant with these standards.
