All life on Earth has been living under radiation for centuries. Radiation is present everywhere. All living things are exposed to the Sun, which is the largest source of radiation. With the advancement of technology, many common sources of radiation include radios, transistors, televisions, microwave ovens, cell phones, cell phone towers, etc.
What Is Radiation
Radio frequency (RF) energy is non-ionizing radiation such as visible light radiation, infrared radiation, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation at relatively low frequencies. Cell phones have very low levels of radio frequency energy. The type of energy emitted is non-ionic, meaning it does not damage chemical bonds or DNA.
What Is A Cell Phone Tower
A cell phone tower is a triangular or conical metal structure more than 9 meters high that houses three or more antennas. The height of a structure depends on whether it is attached to the ground or to a building. Ground towers range in height from 30 to 200 meters, but most towers are 40 meters high and rooftop towers are 9 to 30 meters high. Cell phone tower antennas are the source of radiation in a cell phone tower. However, telecommunication infrastructure includes electronic (active) infrastructure and non-electronic infrastructure.
The electronic infrastructure includes base stations, microwave radios, switches, antennas, transceivers for signal processing and transmission.
Non-electronic infrastructure includes towers, shelters, air conditioning, diesel generators, batteries, power supplies and technical facilities. For high-quality wireless communications, cell tower base stations (MTBS) are an essential part of the communications infrastructure system.
How Do Cell Phone Towers Work
Mobile operators divide an area into a number of cells, and each cell is divided into a number of sectors. Base stations are usually configured to transmit different signals in each of these sectors. In general, there may be three sectors with uniform angular coverage of 120 degrees horizontally. This is a practical way to divide a hexagonal cell. If the number of users is unevenly distributed in the environment, sectors may be uneven. These base stations are usually connected to directional antennas mounted on the roof of a building or on an independent pole. The antenna can be tilted down electrically or mechanically so that the signal is directed towards the ground. Cell tower antennas are the radiation sources within the cell tower.
Difference Between Cell Base Station and Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Cell towers are triangular or conical metal structures equipped with three or more antennas that radiate electromagnetic energy. On the other hand, base stations (BTS) are built at appropriate locations according to the radio frequency (RF) network plan to ensure adequate coverage of the area and compliance with capacity requirements. A BTS also consists of multiple radio transmitters, each of which has the same maximum output power. The output from each transmitter is combined together and relayed via cable to a base station antenna mounted on the top of a mast (or other suitable structure).
Cell Phone Tower
Situation With the increasing population of India, wireless communication and its network density has increased rapidly in recent years. Statistics show that as of the end of March 2013, there were 867.8 million mobile phone subscribers in India, which is about 96% of the total telecom subscribers.
According to TRAI, there are currently 500,000 telecom towers and it is estimated that around 100,000 additional towers will be required to meet the demand of 1 billion mobile phones by 2014. There are 12-14 telecom service providers serving the entire mobile subscriber base across the country, covering both Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technologies.
Radiation Restrictions And Regulation – Global Perspective
Studies conducted so far have not shown any clear link between radiation and health risks from mobile phone towers. However, as a precautionary measure, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has complied with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines (issued by Germany and adopted by the UK, Australia, Malaysia, India and South Korea). Based on this, various standards have been prepared for radiation from mobile towers. As a result of the revision of EMF radiation standards by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the standards in India are now 10 times stricter than many countries in the world (such as the US, Canada, Japan and Australia) that follow ICNIRP guidelines. Many countries set their radiation levels taking into account environmental and physiological factors.
Cell Phone Tower Certification And Testing – India
All Telecom Service Providers (TSP)/Mobile Service Providers (MSP) are required to ensure that the radiation from cell phone towers is within the prescribed limits as per the license conditions of the Ministry of Telecommunications. For this purpose, all TSPs are required to submit a self-compliance certificate for all cell phone tower installations every two years to ensure that the radiation is within the prescribed limits.
In addition, Telecom Enforcement Resources and Surveillance – TERM Cell (Field Force of DoT) tests up to 10% of all BTSs in its jurisdiction every year based on random surveys as per DOT guidelines and also at the same time all adjacent Also tests radiation of BTS. Penalty is expected in case of non-compliant locations i.e. locations where radiation exceeds the limit values. Non-compliance of EMF norms will attract a fine of ₹100,000. A fee of ₹5000 per service provider per BTS will be charged. According to the “Guidelines for Issuance of Mobile Tower Installation Permits” issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), “Telecom facilities are critical assets and critical infrastructure for mobile communications. Disruption in mobile communications, which is an essential service, To avoid this, BTS towers will not be shut down or power supply will not be disconnected without the approval of the concerned TERM cell of DoT.” In view of the above, the regulatory authorities (CPCB and SPCB) have no authority to demolish mobile towers or disconnect telecom services.
Legal Information On “Radiation” – India
Given the above information and the number of public complaints regarding aesthetics, health issues related to radiation hazards, and the safety of mobile telephone base stations (MTBS), often referred to as communications towers, this section deals with radiation Provides a summary of legal issues.
1. Indian Wireless Act, 1933: “Wireless communication means the transmission of any kind of signal, signal, writing, image, sound or information by means of electric, magnetic, radio or Hertzian waves without the use of cables or wires, Reception or transmission.” Explanation: Radio or Hertzian waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency less than 3,000 gigahertz per second that propagate in space without artificial induction.
2. However, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 states: “Telegraph” means any instrument, apparatus, material or device used for transmitting any kind of signal, signal, writing, by wire, visual or other electromagnetic means.
3. Indian Telecommunications The Regulatory Authorities Act, 1997 states: “Telecommunication services” means any type of service (email, voice mail, data services, voice text services, teletext services, paging and mobile phone services) used by a user in by any means of transmission; or by means of signals, signals, writings, images and sounds or by means of cables, radio, visual or any other electromagnetic means of any kind By means of reception, but excluding broadcasting services.
Responsibilities Of Regulatory Authorities (CPCB/SPCB) For Establishment Of Mobile Tower Base Station (MTBS)
According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Environment on the radiation emitted from mobile phone base stations, it cannot be concluded that the radiation emitted from mobile phone base stations is the only cause of health risks. The environmental impact of radiation from mobile phone tower (MT) antennas has always attracted public attention, as people are increasingly concerned about the radiation emitted from mobile phone tower facilities, especially in urban areas. People in urban areas are exposed to environmental influences due to different lifestyles. Noise from television, music system etc., vehicular traffic, neighboring houses, activities happening in nearby areas etc. Several media reports, public complaints, RTIs and court cases are also referred to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Boards (PCCs) for establishment of MTBS.
The Following Points Indicate The Role Of Regulators In The Area Of Mobile Base Station (MTBS) Installation
1. Under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, “air pollutant” is defined as: any air pollutant in any concentration which is harmful to humans, other living organisms, Is or may be harmful to plants, property or the environment. Note: “Radiation” is excluded from the above definition which includes electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from mobile phone towers, which is not an air pollutant.
2. Under Section 25/26 of the Water Act and Section 21/22 of the Prevention of Pollution Act, 1974 and/or the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, “No person shall carry on any industry, establishment, process without the prior approval of the National Commission , establish or take any steps to establish, treatment and disposal systems or any extensions or additions.”
3. MTBS users will have to obtain consent from the concerned SPCB/PCC for installation of power operated DG sets. The regulator ensures that DG sets operate as per accepted guidelines with respect to emissions and noise.
4. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 states: “It is recognized that sources or emissions of noise from power generation systems, music systems, vehicle horns and other mechanical equipment are hazardous to human health and It has an adverse effect on the psychological well-being of people and hence it is necessary to regulate and control such sources and emissions of noise to comply with the ambient air quality standards regarding noise.”
a) Noise is an “air pollutant” and comes under the E(P) Act, 1986 and Noise Rules, 2000.
b) As per the guidelines in Schedule I of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for each DG set (up to 800 kW), unless otherwise exempted, the following mitigation measures are applicable for manufacturers in the Indian territory:
DG Noise Reduction: Mandatory as per GSR 371(E) dated May 17, 2002 (Annex I, SL #94)
Emission Reduction: Mandatory as per GSR 371(E) dated May 17, 2002 (Annex I, SL #95).
Conclusion Of Environmental Protection Authority
1. All living beings are exposed to the Sun which is the biggest source of radiation. Other sources of radiation include radio, transistor, television, microwave oven, mobile phone, mobile phone towers etc.
2. Radio frequency (RF) energy is therefore non-ionizing radiation such as visible light radiation, infrared radiation, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation of relatively low frequencies.
3. The intensity of radio frequency radiation from base stations is 1,000 times less than that of mobile phones. The output power of a mobile phone is less than 1 watt (usually in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 watts), which is much lower than the level of radiation emitted by radio microwaves.
4. On 30 August 2010, India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted an expert committee to study the potential impact of communication towers on wildlife, including birds and bees. Based on a review of available scientific information by the Expert Committee, the report states that electromagnetic radiation (EMR) not only affects humans, but also affects biological systems.
5. However, of direct concern to environmental protection authorities is the noise/air emissions from generators attached to mobile phone masts, for which provisions have been made under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Keeping this in view, the limited provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986
The Protection Act’s Regulations Regarding Emissions And Noise From Generators Connected To Mobile Phone Towers Are As Follows
a) According to the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, “air pollutant” means “any solid, liquid or gaseous substance (including noise) present in the air in such quantity as to be harmful to humans or other living organisms Can have an impact on”. Any living organism, plant, property or environment that is or may be harmful (Note: This clearly indicates that radiation is not covered under the Act and is not a pollutant)
b) According to the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, “Environment” includes water, air, land and the interrelationships existing between water, air, land and humans, other living organisms, plants, microorganisms and property.
c) Under Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and/or Section 21/22 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act: Order of the State Board, any industrial plant, construction, operation, process (d) Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000: “Establishment or taking steps for the installation, treatment or disposal system or extension or addition thereof.” (crackers, sound machines), generators, loudspeakers, public address systems, music systems, car horns and other mechanical devices, increasing levels of ambient noise in public areas due to noise sources which have adverse effects on human health and psychological well-being of people. In view of this, it is considered necessary to regulate and control them. Controls aimed at maintaining ambient air quality standards with respect to noise
6. In India, testing and monitoring of radiation from mobile phone towers is regulated by the Division of Telecom Enforcement Resource Monitoring (TERM) under the Ministry of Telecommunications (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology). Similarly, radiation control of mobile phone towers in other countries like Sri Lanka, USA, UK and China is regulated by telecom regulatory authorities.
7. As per the above legal provisions, radiation from mobile towers and telephones is covered under: a) Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (Act No. XVII) b) Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 c) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 Of these nobody. But laws regulate the health effects of radiation on living organisms.
8. There are many sources of radiation such as mobile phone base station, mobile phone, computer, laptop, TV tower, FM tower, MW tower, microwave oven etc. But radiation emissions from mobile phone towers are very high because they are installed in high density and unscientific distribution.
Read Also:
- The Myth Of Cell Phone Radiation
- Effects of Mobile Radiations And Its Prevention
- Role Of Ayurveda In The Management Of Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure
- Mobile Phone Radiations and Its Impact on Birds, Animals and Human Beings
- Effect Of Mobile Phone Radiation On Human Brain
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