RWA initiative to check cell phone tower radiation : HT Live East

For the first time in east Delhi, the East Delhi Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) Joint Front along with the members of Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI), took the initiative to check radiations emanating from cell phone towers. The RWAs are now planning to get an opinion from experts and scientists about recorded radiation levels. 

The move comes at a time when various cases of high level of radiation are being registered across Delhi and complains of its health hazard has been increasing. The government and court, however, have set the guidelines for cellular operators but it is often seen that some operators don’t follow the norms of permissible levels. 

“The people are well aware about the evil effects of radiation. So we decided to check the radiation level in east Delhi area,” says BS Vohra, president, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front. 

Cell phone towers have mushroomed all over the city and have in turn led to growing concerns about the health effects of radio frequency radiation. 

“For this, we have been pursuing the matter with COAI for the last six months. Finally, it agreed to our proposal and sent a team on Monday to check radiation,” adds Vohra. 

The RWA members and COAI members checked seven towers of different areas, Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar market, Mandawali, Jhilmil, Vishwas Nagar, F Block Krishna Nagar and Lal Quarter. “The areas and towers were not pre-decided and the RWA members randomly selected the area and one of the towers at that location so that the actual level could be detected,” says Vinod Kumar, a resident of Jhilmil. 

The RWA members, now, have decided to refer the matter to experts and scientists for further analysis. 

The association members will also educate the residents on the subject of cell tower radiation in order to make them aware. 

If the radiation level is found beyond permissible level or is above health hazard level, the association members will take up the matter with the government to curb the menace. 

According to the latest government norms, the permissible radiation exposure limits are 0.45 w/m2. And as per experts and scientists, if the radiation is beyond this level there are possibilities of childhood leukaemia, brain tumours, genotoxic effects, neurological effects and neurodegenerative diseases, immune system deregulation, allergic and inflammatory responses, breast cancer, miscarriage and some cardiovascular effects. I have been living in Mayur Vihar Phase 2 for the past 13 years. The whole area is divided into pockets named A, B, C, D, E and F. Pockets A, E and C have markets developed by the Delhi Development Authority, while Pocket B has a local shopping complex, which caters to all our needs. The best thing that I like about our area is that it has been designed in such a manner that each flat faces a park. 

Phase 2 has a sizeable population and people from different religious groups and regions of the country have made it their home. They live in harmony and share good community ties. 

Also, in each area there is a community centre which is abuzz with activities. People gather there for celebrations, festivals, marriages functions etc. So we have a multi-cultural environment which gives us a very unique feel. 

As there are a number of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and chemist shops, within easy reach, healthcare is good. Each pocket has its respective residents’ welfare association and they make all efforts to work.