Radiation from mobile phones and towers

In view of the large scale usage of mobile phones, there has been much apprehension worldwide about the health concerns of its prolonged use.

It is reported that the latest Bluetooth devices use Radio Frequency (RF) with the spectrum in the range 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The power output from a typical Class 3 Bluetooth device is 1 mW/square cm, which is of the same order of the limit for exposure of RF from cell-phones, which uses RF of 0.9 GHz. The Bluetooth devices are meant for attachment to the ear all the time. This may do irreversible damage to the ear internals.

RF radiation is also emitting from the towers erected on the buildings and almost everywhere. Some towers are legal and most of them are illegally erected. Some measurements carried out have shown that the levels of radiation exposures from the towers are significant and often exceed the limit. Long term effects are still not well known. Keeping in mind the uncertainty and the gaps in our knowledge about the health effects of exposure to the RF radiation, particularly due to its prolonged usage, it is not advisable to completely rule out adverse health effects, even at levels of RF exposures below the existing international guidelines.

Under the circumstance, it is advised to use mobiles for sending only messages and not for long gossip sessions. The mobiles should be kept away from the children. A separate regulatory body should be set up by the government to monitor the exposure levels from the towers at different areas to check compliance with the international regulatory limits.

Half a Century of Nuclear Safety

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s contribution to nuclear safety worldwide is marking a significant milestone this December 2008 with the fiftieth anniversary of the launch of the Agency’s safety standards. The first IAEA safety series publication, entitled Safe Handling of Radioisotopes, was issued in December 1958.

The IAEA safety standards are a collection of fundamental radiation protection principles, requirements for the protection and guidance that serves as a global reference for ensuring safety in all areas in the nuclear sector. The standards reflect international consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment.

The application of IAEA safety standards through, inter alia, peer reviews and advisory services at national and international levels are essential to support the development of effective national safety infrastructures. A big part of the IAEA´s statutory mandate is the establishment and promotion of international standards and guides, says, Head of the IAEA´s Publishing Section, IAEA. International standards, however, should not be seen to be in conflict with national regulations.

More than 200 safety standards have been published. They cover nuclear safety, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, the transport of radioactive materials, the safety of nuclear fuel cycle facilities and quality assurance.

"I CARE FOR YOU" WISHES ALL THE BLOGGERS/READERS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR - 2009