A new report that examines the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radiofrequency (RF) on human health has raised some serious public health concerns. The report—Bioinitiative Report 2012—says that there is enough evidence to link EMF and RF radiations with not just cancer but other health problems as well, including slow DNA damage. It also says that radiofrequency norms worldwide are too lax to protect public health. EMF and RF radiations are associated with wireless technologies like cellular phones and mobile phone towers, Wi-Fi and power lines.
Earlier, in 2011 the World Health Organisation had declared these radiations to be possible carcinogens. The Bioinitiative Report, however, explores all possible health hazards, including impacts on male fertility, effects on vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, neurological disorders, headache and Alzheimer’s disease apart from cancer-causing effects.
| What is the safe limit?
- According to the new regulations in India, a maximum power density of 0.9 w/m2 can be allowed for a 1,800 MHz GSM operators
- Bioinitiative Report 2012 has found health hazards to be reported much below in the range of 0.0005 w/m2 which is about 2,000 times lower that what is still being prescribed.
- The report points out that the prescribed limits all across the world are 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the lowest levels at which effects have been found
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No time to lose
Radiation norms too lax