India’s development in the field of Science and Technology was substantial from British period. Telecommunication has become especially important in recent years because of the enormous growth of information technology and its potential impact on rest of the economy. The popularity of cell phones and wireless communication devices has resulted in a proliferation of cell towers across the city. While all of us have had our share of fun with mobile technology, it is now time to introspect and study the problems that one could face because of cell phone towers being installed in residential areas.
Health Hazard from Cell Phone Towers
The mobile phone towers crowding the city’s skyline are making the air toxic for you. There are indicative studies to prove that these radiations are harmful for people living in a 300 meter radius of the towers. Pregnant women and children are in greater danger from cell phone towers than the normal population. It is very unfortunate to see huge cell towers thronging the rooftops in and around the residential apartments, Hospitals, schools and educational institutions and this has become more or less a common sight in cities across India and elsewhere.
- The younger the child, the deeper is the penetration of electromagnetic radiation as children’s skulls are thinner.
- Children, adolescents and pregnant women could be at the maximum risk
- Radiation from mobile towers poses grave health risks including memory loss, lack of concentration and digestive disturbances.
- The radiation effects to the disappearance of butterflies, bees, insects and sparrows.
- According to established norms, the radiation level of 600 milli watts per meter square (mw/msq) is considered safe. But Mobile phone towers emit electro magnetic rays above safe limit.
- Being exposed to the thermal effect could cause fatigue, cataracts and reduced mental concentration.
- There is non-thermal effect, which affects people who are at a distance from the tower. The ill-effects of a non-thermal effect are cell membrane permeability.
- The number of people having health problems is more in the areas where radiation levels are high. These Towers are like deadly weapons for all living beings.
Why Property Owners Allow Cell Phone Towers?
Why such deadly Cell Phone Towers would be allowed to install in residential areas? The telecommunication companies or service providers pay rent for installation of towers. Letting building for cell phone towers is good source of income for property owners and institutions.
Cell phone companies pay “rent” for their placement that can range anywhere from Rs 10,000 to 30,000 per month or above Rs 30,000 where competition among service providers is high. Some Cell phone companies set up unauthorized towers which are also called “camouflage towers” which looks like Palm Tree, Water Tank, and Chimney, Street Light etc.
However, in Cities like Ahmedabad, Rajasthan, Jaipur, Punjab and Metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad High Court has banned installation of cell phone towers in residential areas. Meanwhile, the state government is also chalking out a policy to crack a whip on cell phone towers in the residential areas in the city. [link]
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