CP Telecom Cons Seminar

8/6/2019 CP Telecom Cons Seminar

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Mobile Phone Hazards

A narrative on the current Discourse&

The Way forward ....

K. Rajaraman

Commissioner, CS&CPGOTN


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Outline

Hazards

Reports & Policies

The unknown The Way Forward ......


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Hazards of EM radiation

Radiation absorption

Thermal effects

Non-thermal effects * Blood-brain barrier effects

* Electromagnetic hypersensitivity

* Genotoxic effects * Carcinogenic effects

* Sleep and EEG effects


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Discovering newer ways of dying !


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Genotoxic effects

In 1995, in the journal Bioelectromagnetics,Wengong Lai and Mohinder Singh reporteddamaged DNA after two hours of microwave

radiation at levels deemed safe according togovernment standards.[19]


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Genotoxic effects

Later, in December 2004, a pan-Europeanstudy named REFLEX (Risk Evaluation ofPotential Environmental Hazards from Low

Energy Electromagnetic Field (EMF) ExposureUsing Sensitive in vitro Methods), involving 12collaborating laboratories in several countriesshowed some compelling evidence of DNA

damage of cells in in-vitro cultures, whenexposed between 0.3 to 2 watts/kg, whole-sample average.


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EM Radiation Hazard sources

Mobile phones

Wi-Fi & W-LAN networks

Cordless phones Mobile Data cards

Base Stations

Bluetooth and other -wave devices


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Likely Affected

Consumers

Non-users (passive affected)

Workers (Occupational Hazards)


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Safety Guidelines


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SAR Value : ICNIRP

The exposure guidelines for mobile devicesemploy a unit of measurement known as theSpecific Absorption Rate or SAR.

ICNIRP has advised that this should not exceed2 W kg -1 (watts per kilogram) when averagedover any 10 gram of contiguous tissue and

over any 6 minute period in the head..


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Challenging ICNIRP guidelines!


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SAR : FCC standards

Requirements for exposure to radio wavesestablished by the Federal CommunicationsCommission (USA) and Industry Canada.

These requirements set a SAR limit of 1.6W/kg averaged over one gram of tissue.

The highest SAR value reported under this

standard during product certification for use atthe ear is 1.12 W/kg and when properly wornon the body is 0.81 W/kg.


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The catch

The actual SAR level of an operating device canbe below the maximum value because thedevice is designed to use only the powerrequired to reach the network. That amount

changes depending on a number of factorssuch as how close you are to a networkbase station. The highest SAR value underthe ICNIRP guidelines for use of the device at

the ear is 0.57 W/kg.

What about multiple sources of EMR ?


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WHO statements


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WHO 2009

Cancer: Current scientific evidence indicatesthat exposure to RF fields, such as thoseemitted by mobile phones and their base

stations, is unlikely to induce or promotecancers. At the moment, it is impossible tostate that exposure to RF or microwaveradiation (even below the permitted levels)

does not have adverse effects on the health ofthe general population. The current evidence,however, does suggest that if there is a risk, itis small.


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WHO 2009

Therefore, a precautionary approach (asrecommended by the EU (21)) to the use ofthis communication technology should beadopted until more scientific evidence on

effects on health becomes available.


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WHO 2005

Traffic accidents: Research has clearly shownan increased risk of traffic accidents, some 3-4times greater chance of an accident, when

mobile phones (either handheld or with a"hands-free" kit) are used while driving.


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WHO 2005

Electromagnetic interference: When mobilephones are used close to some medicaldevices (including pacemakers, implantable

defibrillators, and certain hearing aids) there isthe possibility of causing interference with theiroperation. There is also the potential ofinterference between mobile phones signals

and aircraft electronics.


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WHO 2005

Other health effects: Scientists have reportedother health effects of using mobile phonesincluding changes in brain activity, reaction

times, and sleep patterns. These effects areminor and have no apparent health


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Government led initiatives across the World


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International regulations

ICNIRP giuidelines

EC directives on EM radiation

FCC directives UK Health Protection Authority directives

Other developed world regulations


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French Court Ruling

In February 2009 the telecom companyBouygues Telecom was ordered to take downa mobile phone mast due to uncertainty about

its effect on health. Residents in the communeCharbonnires in the Rhne department hadsued the company claiming adverse healtheffects from the radiation emitted by the 19

meter tall antenna.[63]


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French Court Ruling

The milestone ruling by the Versailles Court ofAppeal reversed the burden of proof which isusual in such cases by emphasizing theextreme divergence between different

countries in assessing safe limits for suchradiation.


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French Court Ruling

The court stated that, "Considering that, whilethe reality of the risk remains hypothetical, itbecomes clear from reading the contributions

and scientific publications produced in debateand the divergent legislative positions taken invarious countries, that uncertainty over theharmlessness of exposure to the waves

emitted by relay antennas persists and can beconsidered serious and reasonable".[64]


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Limiting Unknown Risks


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ICNIRP : Ambiguity

Question: It is not clear how the EMFguidelines should be applied to exposure ofthe fetus, especially when the mother is at

work. Would the mother be subject to thegeneral public exposure guidelines, and incertain cases, have to cease work duringpregnancy as a result?


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ICNIRP guidelines

Answer: ICNIRP recognizes that exposure ofthe fetus and pregnant mother may requireevaluation on a case-by-case basis. Exposure

of the fetus and pregnant mother is an issuethat should be dealt with on the basis of eithernational policy or administrative rulesestablished by individual employers.


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Prevention is better than cure

Have lengthy phone conversations on aconventional telephone (landline) instead ofyour cell phone.

Change to a cell phone that has its antennaoutside the vehicle.

Use a headset and place the phone away fromyour body.

Find out how much SAR energy your cellphone gives off.

(Source: Medline+ - NIH, US Govt.)

EMI P k


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EMI on Pacemakers(USFDA)

cell phones would not seem to pose asignificant health problem for the vast majorityof pacemaker wearers. Still, people with

pacemakers may want to take some simpleprecautions to be sure that their cell phonesdon't cause a problem.

Hold the phone to the ear opposite the side ofthe body where the pacemaker is implanted toadd some extra distance between thepacemaker and the phones

EMI k


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EMI on pacemakers(USFDA)

Avoid placing a turned-on phone next to thepacemaker implant (e.g. dont carry the phonein a shirt or jacket pocket directly over the

pacemaker)


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The Venice Resolution June 6, 2008.Initiated by the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety,

The non-ionizing radiation protectionstandards recommended by internationalstandards organizations, and supported by the

World Health Organization, are inadequate.Existing guidelines are based on results fromacute exposure studies and only thermaleffects are considered. A world wide

application of the Precautionary Principle isrequired. In addition, new standards should bedeveloped to take various physiologicalconditions into consideration, e.g., pregnancy,

newborns, children, and elderly people.


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We take exception to the claim of the wirelesscommunication industry that there is nocredible scientific evidence to conclude there a

risk. Recent epidemiological evidence isstronger than before, which is a further reasonto justify precautions be taken to lowerexposure standards in accordance with the

Precautionary Principle.


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We recognize the growing public healthproblem known as electrohypersensitivity; thatthis adverse health condition can be quite

disabling; and, that this condition requiresfurther urgent investigation and recognition.


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We strongly advise limited use of cell phones,and other similar devices, by young childrenand teenagers, and we call upon governments

to apply the Precautionary Principle as aninterim measure while more biologicallyrelevant standards are developed to protectagainst, not only the absorption of

electromagnetic energy by the head, but alsoadverse effects of the signals on biochemistry,physiology and electrical biorhythms.


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ICEMS resolution

Antennas, mobile phone masts and otherelectromagnetic emitting devices should be setwithin a specific distance from schools and

health institutions, according to a reportadopted by the European Parliament. TheCommission should make more reliableinformation available about the effects of

exposure to electromagnetic fields to citizenswho feel that they are not well informed.


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IEGMP Stewart Report (UK)

We conclude therefore that it is not possible atpresent to say that exposure to RF radiation,even at levels below national guidelines, is

totally without potential adverse health effects,and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficientto justify a precautionary approach. In the lightof the above considerations we recommend

that a precautionary approach to the use ofmobile phone technologies be adopted untilmuch more detailed and scientifically robustinformation on any health effects becomes

available


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IEGMP Stewart Report (UK)

If there are currently unrecognised adversehealth effects from the use of mobile phones,children may be more vulnerable because of

their developing nervous system, the greaterabsorption of energy in the tissues of the head(paragraph 4.37), and a longer lifetime ofexposure. In line with our precautionary

approach, at this time, we believe that thewidespread use of mobile phones by childrenfor non-essential calls should be discouraged.


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IEGMP Stewart Report

We also recommend that the mobile phoneindustry should refrain from promoting the useof mobile phones by children


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Way ahead


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Needed

Government sets in place a national systemwhich enables independent testing of shieldingdevices and hands-free kits to be carried out,and which enables clear information to be

given about the effectiveness of such devices. Need for a national regulator for protection,

research and testing for EM Radiation & EM

devices Media campaign on need to guarded and

careful use of mobile phones


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Needed

Research programme should operate underthe aegis of a demonstrably independentpanel. This programme be financed by themobile phone companies and the public sector

(industry departments, health departments andthe research councils), possibly on a 50 : 50basis.

State and National guidelines on permissionsfor New base stations and regulate existingbase stations with deisgnated National andState authority for monitoring/regulating EMR

N d d


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Needed

In line with our precautionary approach, at thistime, widespread use of mobile phones bychildren for non-essential calls should be

discouraged. Mobile phone industry shouldrefrain from promoting the use of mobilephones by children

Operators actively pursue a policy of mast

sharing and roaming where practicable toreduce EMR. TRAI may bring out a policydirective in this reagard

N d d


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Needed

International standard for the assessment ofSAR values from mobile phones should beadopted for use. Information on the SARvalues for mobile phones must be readily

accessible to consumers at the point of salewith information on the box, on leafletsavailable in stores giving comparativeinformation on different phones and with

explanatory information, as a menu option onthe screen of the phone and as a label on thephone, on a national web site, which lists theSAR values of different phone types.

N d d


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Needed

Periodic monitoring and publication by Stateand National designated agencies of

SAR of devices,

Power density levels of EMR in public places

Violation and violators of standards

Awareness creation amongst consumers on5Rs Principles of sustainable consumption

Refuse mobile phones ( atleast a secondphone)

Reduce (Switch off when you reach home oroffice ...)


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Fear is the father of courage and the mother ofsafety. ~ Henry H. Tweedy

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to beunderstood. ~ Marie Curie

Thanks

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