Reply to the Times of India News entitled: ”Anti-radiation activists squirm as panel rubbishes IIT prof’s claim”

This has reference to the news item in Times of India, February 26, 2014 entitled ”Anti-radiation activists squirm as panel rubbishes IIT prof’s claim”.

I am connected with the radiation protection field for over 4 decades. I can say with confidence that biological effect of radiation is a highly complex subject involving studies at molecular levels, and there are hundreds of such agents in the environment and in our diet which can affect the DNA and cause health effects. Natural background radiation is one such agent which can also contribute significantly to the effect. The ionising part of the natural background radiation is more potent as compared to the non-ionising radiation emitted by the mobile towers.

Hence, exaggerating the health effects caused by the non-ionising radiation (EMF radiation), which is still not confirmed scientifically, is uncalled for. If at all necessary, one should consult a micro/molecular biologist rather than an electrical engineer, and take his/her opinion on this subject.

The question is: can anyone be sure that the so-called reported health effects can be exclusively attributed to radiation from mobile towers and not from natural background radiation to which we are all exposed day-in day-out?