‘Ban on cellphone towers atop schools based on ignorance’

Repacholi,who was the electromagnetic field project coordinator for WHO,said that studies have not established that the use of mobile phones or mobile towers cause any health risks. “I understand that activists are concerned about the society,but it can be safely said that mobile phone use doesn’t cause any health risk. There is an increasing fear of brain tumors and cancer but it doesn’t cause even headaches or sleep disorders,” said Repacholi,also the former chairman of Germany-based International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

He said that the base station and wireless technology signals are too weak and modulation effects occur at much higher intensity levels. “There are studies to prove radiation doesn’t even hamper the development of children above two years of age,” he added.

When asked about residents complaining against increasing cases of cancer because of radiation from cellphone towers,Repacholi said it was only a coincidence. “Some activists may be creating a scare with the intention of earning profits. WHO has recommended more research related to the possible effects of radio-frequency on people,but studies have already proven that mobile phones do no affect human health,” he said.

Prakash Munshi,a south Mumbai resident,who has been campaigning for safer norms on cellphone towers,said,“There is a lack of transparency when it comes to the authorities. They say that radiation levels are lower,but is it at the actual level of implementation?”

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com