A random check conducted by officials at a location in Mumbai revealed that Reliance Communications, TTML, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Aircel and Loop Telecom were found violating radiation norms laid down by the government.
In an official statement, the department of Telecomm said, “11 BTSs (Base Tower Stations) of Reliance Communications, TTML, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Aircel and Loop Telecom were found radiating beyond permissible limits of the new radiation norms when measurements were carried out in some houses facing the nearby BTS antenna. Orders were issued to the 7 operators to stop radiating from these BTSs with immediate effect.”
On September 1, the government lowered electromagnetic frequency exposure limit from base station emission to one-tenth of its existing level. A penalty of Rs. 5 lakh for non-compliance per tower per operator too has been issued.
The Department of Telecom says that says that steps are taken to ensure latest radiation standards in regards of EMR (Electro Magnetic Radiation) from the mobile towers.
All the telecom operators have been asked to identify BTSs that do not comply with the standards and must either be shut down or must be in limits with respect to the radiation norms.
All new mobile handsets manufactured need to comply with specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 1.6 watt/kg averaged over 1 gram of human tissue.
Mobile phones with existing design which are 2 watt/kg averaged over 10 g of human tissue will continue to be in the market up till August 31, 2012 after which they will need to comply with 1.6 watt/kg SAR.