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.
