Radiation from Mobile towers and cellphones

Members of the public have been sensitized on the possible harmful effects of EMF radiation being emitted by the mobile phones and the radiation being transmitted by the towers, by the responsible newspapers like Mumbai Mirror, The Times of India and The Times of Navi Mumbai. There are sites and blogs (www.radsafetyinfo.com; radsafe.blogspot.com) which also highlight the issue time and again. Now, things started moving. This is going to be a major public health concern, globally. In a US city, San Francisco, for the first time anywhere, it is mandated that the cellphone manufacturers post information about the amount of radio waves absorbed – specific absorption rate (SAR value) - into the cellphone user’s body touching the mobiles. There are international limits (1.6 watts per kg) on the SAR value for checking compliance. A good move indeed. All countries should follow this practice.

The gravity of the situation can be judged by the fact that every mobile service provider has over 75,000 towers erected in different parts of the country. Possibly, equal umbers of unauthorized towers exist over buildings, bridges and streetlight poles. Residential buildings are also not spared. In a small township like Navi Mumbai there are 451 an-authorized towers (as per the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation report). This is in addition to the authorized towers.

In view of the seriousness of the issue, there is a need of mass sensitization about the radiation and radiation hazards from the long-term mobile usage, followed by a law and regulation to control the avoidable exposure of the unsuspecting public to radiation from mobile towers/cellphones.

ICRP’S New Draft Report of the Task Group for Consultation: Radiological Protection Education and Training for Healthcare Staff and Students

The number of diagnostic and interventional medical procedures using ionising radiations is rising, and procedures resulting in higher patient and staff doses are being performed more frequently. The need for education and training of medical staff, medical students, and other healthcare professionals in the principles of radiation protection is therefore now even more compelling that in the past.

The present publication expands considerably on the basic recommendations provided for education and training in publications, ICRP-103 and 105 with regard to various categories of medical practitioners, and other healthcare professionals that perform or provide support for diagnostic and interventional procedures utilising ionizing radiation. It provides guidance regarding the necessary radiological protection education and training for use by:

In the context of this publication, the term education refers to imparting knowledge and understanding on the topics of radiation health effects, radiation quantities and units, principles of radiological protection, radiological protection legislation and the factors in practice that affect patient and staff doses. Such education should be part of the curriculum in pursuit of medical, dental and other healthcare degrees, and for specialists such as radiologists, medical physicists and radiographers as part of the curriculum of postgraduate degrees.

The term training refers to providing instruction with regard to radiological protection for the justified application of the specific ionizing radiation modalities (e.g. CT, fluoroscopy) that a medical practitioner or other healthcare or support professional will utilize in that individual’s role during medical practice. Advice is also provided on the accreditation and certification of the recommended education and training.

Last date for submitting comments is August 6, 2010 (Ref. www.icrp.org)