Bloggers like me have been relentlessly calling attention of the authorities to the health effects of exposure from radiation from the cell phones. Like most us, endocrinologist Dr. Shashank Joshi also says the mobile phone should be used only as an emergency toll to pass on messages. Some reports say that the mobile phones can cause cancer. This is over-exaggeration. Cancer is a multi cause disease with a latency period of 10 to 30 year after exposure. Nobody can say for sure that the EMF radiation exposure can cause cancer.
Mobile towers are particularly more dangerous due to the emission higher levels of EM radiation for 24x7 basis. Ideally, the towers should be put up at a sufficient height away from populated areas. The guidelines specified should be followed by the service providers. Instead of erecting separate towers, the existing towers should be shared by the service providers. The city areas should be monitored frequently by the designated agencies to ensure that the levels are below the prescribed guidelines. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values of mobile phones should be displayed continuously on the screen to caution or alert the user in case of any over-exposure. Keep the mobile phones away from the children.
As regards to the standards, India also should follow the International Standards Specified by International Commission for Non-ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP), a non-governmental expert body to recommend permissible limits for exposures to non-ionizing radiations such as electromagnetic radiation. The guidelines are based on science and should be respected by one and all.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Mobile phones - a health risk
Finally, the much awaited report from the India Government Inter-ministerial Panel’s study is out. Radiation from mobile phones and towers poses serious health risks, says the Panel. The study also attributed disappearances of bees, insects, sparrows and butterflies from cities for the EMF radiation emission from the towers. The reported health risks are memory loss, lack of concentration, sleep disruptions, etc. The eight-member panel recommended that mobile phones not adhering to the international standards be barred. It is also recommended that mobile towers should not be installed near high density residential areas, schools, hospitals, etc.
Precautions: Use wireless hand-free system, keep your calls short- use for sending messages only and do not use mobile phones for gossip and long chats. Do not give mobiles to children. They are more sensitive to radiation.
Note: There are many posts in this blog since last two years calling authorities to take urgent action against this public health concern.
Precautions: Use wireless hand-free system, keep your calls short- use for sending messages only and do not use mobile phones for gossip and long chats. Do not give mobiles to children. They are more sensitive to radiation.
Note: There are many posts in this blog since last two years calling authorities to take urgent action against this public health concern.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully
Half-life is a term used to express the rate at which a given radionuclide gives up its radioactivity. With time, the radioactivity comes down, but not the mass. More or less, the mass of the radioactive material remains the same even after very many years of radioactive decay. And Specific Activity is the term used to express the quantity of radioactivity per gram of a material.
Take an example of a source of Cobalt-60 (Co-60). The source is generally used in gamma irradiators/chambers used in industry and medicine. The half life of Co-60 is 5.27 years. This means, in 5.27 years the radioactivity of the source reduces by one-half. The mass of the source remains the same. A typical irradiator source of strength 1000 Curie (Similar to sources recovered in Mayapuri, Delhi) will give gamma radiation dose rate of 13.25 Gray per hour. After say, 25 years of decay, the dose rate of the source will reduce to 0.4 Gray per hour. If some one is exposed to this source (the so-called decayed source) for about 10 hours, the person is likely to get dose of 4 Gray which is in the range of Lethal dose -50 (LD-50).
Lethal dose – 50/60 means, if 100 people are exposed to the dose of 4 to 5 Gray, 50 persons will die in 60 days’ time after the exposure.
That is precisely the reason why the “decayed sources” just lying in some cup-boards in laboratories or in hospitals for over 25 to 30 years can still be dangerous and can deliver fatal doses if the sources are not properly shielded, or not handled with care. The decayed sources should be disposed off by strictly following the procedure suggested by the national regulators. In India, the regulator is Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), located at Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094.
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully.
Take an example of a source of Cobalt-60 (Co-60). The source is generally used in gamma irradiators/chambers used in industry and medicine. The half life of Co-60 is 5.27 years. This means, in 5.27 years the radioactivity of the source reduces by one-half. The mass of the source remains the same. A typical irradiator source of strength 1000 Curie (Similar to sources recovered in Mayapuri, Delhi) will give gamma radiation dose rate of 13.25 Gray per hour. After say, 25 years of decay, the dose rate of the source will reduce to 0.4 Gray per hour. If some one is exposed to this source (the so-called decayed source) for about 10 hours, the person is likely to get dose of 4 Gray which is in the range of Lethal dose -50 (LD-50).
Lethal dose – 50/60 means, if 100 people are exposed to the dose of 4 to 5 Gray, 50 persons will die in 60 days’ time after the exposure.
That is precisely the reason why the “decayed sources” just lying in some cup-boards in laboratories or in hospitals for over 25 to 30 years can still be dangerous and can deliver fatal doses if the sources are not properly shielded, or not handled with care. The decayed sources should be disposed off by strictly following the procedure suggested by the national regulators. In India, the regulator is Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), located at Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094.
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully.
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully
Half-life is a term used to express the rate at which a given radionuclide gives up its radioactivity. With time, the radioactivity comes down, but not the mass. More or less, the mass of the radioactive material remains the same even after very many years of radioactive decay. And Specific Activity is the term used to express the quantity of radioactivity per gram of a material.
Take an example of a source of Cobalt-60 (Co-60). The source is generally used in gamma irradiators/chambers used in industry and medicine. The half life of Co-60 is 5.27 years. This means, in 5.27 years the radioactivity of the source reduces by one-half. The mass of the source remains the same. A typical irradiator source of strength 1000 Curie (Similar to sources recovered in Mayapuri, Delhi) will give gamma radiation dose rate of 13.25 Gray per hour. After say, 25 years of decay, the dose rate of the source will reduce to 0.4 Gray per hour. If some one is exposed to this source (the so-called decayed source) for about 10 hours, the person is likely to get dose of 4 Gray which is in the range of Lethal dose -50 (LD-50).
Lethal dose – 50/60 means, if 100 people are exposed to the dose of 4 to 5 Gray, 50 persons will die in 60 days’ time after the exposure.
That is precisely the reason why the “decayed sources” just lying in some cup-boards in laboratories or in hospitals for over 25 to 30 years can still be dangerous and can deliver fatal doses if the sources are not properly shielded, or not handled with care. The decayed sources should be disposed off by strictly following the procedure suggested by the national regulators. In India, the regulator is Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), located at Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094.
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully.
Take an example of a source of Cobalt-60 (Co-60). The source is generally used in gamma irradiators/chambers used in industry and medicine. The half life of Co-60 is 5.27 years. This means, in 5.27 years the radioactivity of the source reduces by one-half. The mass of the source remains the same. A typical irradiator source of strength 1000 Curie (Similar to sources recovered in Mayapuri, Delhi) will give gamma radiation dose rate of 13.25 Gray per hour. After say, 25 years of decay, the dose rate of the source will reduce to 0.4 Gray per hour. If some one is exposed to this source (the so-called decayed source) for about 10 hours, the person is likely to get dose of 4 Gray which is in the range of Lethal dose -50 (LD-50).
Lethal dose – 50/60 means, if 100 people are exposed to the dose of 4 to 5 Gray, 50 persons will die in 60 days’ time after the exposure.
That is precisely the reason why the “decayed sources” just lying in some cup-boards in laboratories or in hospitals for over 25 to 30 years can still be dangerous and can deliver fatal doses if the sources are not properly shielded, or not handled with care. The decayed sources should be disposed off by strictly following the procedure suggested by the national regulators. In India, the regulator is Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), located at Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094.
Handle radioactivity carefully and not fearfully.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Over-exposures in medical applications of radiation
It is now well known that in radiation therapy, high doses are given to the affected tissues/organs so as to kill the diseased tissues. It is expected that the physician decides and optimizes the dose requirement in consultation with a radiation physicist to ensure radiation protection of the patient. A recent report on the above topic in the Times of India is a matter of grave concern. During medical procedures in US, three patients were given over doses which resulted in organ failures crippling the patients.
Highly collimated radiation beams are used to treat tiny tumors in sensitive organs such as brain or in spinal cord. The collimated beam ensures protection of healthy surrounding tissues. However, any malfunctioning of the system, mismatch of electronic components and improper use of the equipments used in medical diagnosis (X-rays and CT scans) and external radiation beam therapy sources (medical accelerators and Co-60 sources) may result in leakage of the radiation and exposure of other healthy tissues which may ultimately result in long- term severe health problems.
Stringent regulations and quality assurance programs are absolutely necessary for the protection of the patients. The medical and paramedical staff should be well trained in all aspects of radiation protection. Medical procedures involving radiation should be recommended only if the benefits outweigh risks of the radiation exposure.
Highly collimated radiation beams are used to treat tiny tumors in sensitive organs such as brain or in spinal cord. The collimated beam ensures protection of healthy surrounding tissues. However, any malfunctioning of the system, mismatch of electronic components and improper use of the equipments used in medical diagnosis (X-rays and CT scans) and external radiation beam therapy sources (medical accelerators and Co-60 sources) may result in leakage of the radiation and exposure of other healthy tissues which may ultimately result in long- term severe health problems.
Stringent regulations and quality assurance programs are absolutely necessary for the protection of the patients. The medical and paramedical staff should be well trained in all aspects of radiation protection. Medical procedures involving radiation should be recommended only if the benefits outweigh risks of the radiation exposure.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Exposure to EMF radiations from mobile phones and towers
The health effect Electro-Magnetic Frequency (EMF) radiation from the towers/mobile phones is of great concern. As reported, the probability of health effects is about 5 times higher in case of children and teenagers. Pregnant women should also be protected from the exposures so that the fetus is not exposed.
It is reported that about 50% of Indian population are using mobile phones! There are several thousands of transmission towers mushrooming all over the country. The convenience of mobile phone in passing on messages is undisputed. But it is over-used and unregulated. That is the concern.
Since last three years, I have been fighting a lone battle to create public awareness about the issue. I have written many posts in my blog site http://radsafe.blogspot.com. I also have written a 11 page write-up on the safety concerns and protection standards for EMF radiation in my web site www.radsafetyinfo.com. As a radiation protection professional, in my anxiety to sensitize the authorities, I have written letters to Municipal Commissioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Mayer of Navi Mumbai and Maharashtra Health Minister highlighting the public health concerns due to the EM radiation pollution and the possible health effects from the excessive usage of mobile phones, and exposure to EMF radiation from the towers. I have copies of the communications.
I doubt whether India has a separate regulator to ensure safety from the EMF radiation exposures. It was suggested that BARC/AERB should start monitoring the EMF density in different locations to ensure see compliance with the available international standards.
Somehow, nothing happened. I felt at that time that the telecom lobby is too strong and it is very difficult to make the government take action on the issue. However, about 6 month's back, Maharashtra Government has formed a committee to look into the matter. It is heartening to note that the newspapers like Times of India and Mumbai Mirror have started realizing the impending public health disaster from excessive usage of mobile phones and EMF emissions from the towers. It is already late. Better late than never.
It is reported that about 50% of Indian population are using mobile phones! There are several thousands of transmission towers mushrooming all over the country. The convenience of mobile phone in passing on messages is undisputed. But it is over-used and unregulated. That is the concern.
Since last three years, I have been fighting a lone battle to create public awareness about the issue. I have written many posts in my blog site http://radsafe.blogspot.com. I also have written a 11 page write-up on the safety concerns and protection standards for EMF radiation in my web site www.radsafetyinfo.com. As a radiation protection professional, in my anxiety to sensitize the authorities, I have written letters to Municipal Commissioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Mayer of Navi Mumbai and Maharashtra Health Minister highlighting the public health concerns due to the EM radiation pollution and the possible health effects from the excessive usage of mobile phones, and exposure to EMF radiation from the towers. I have copies of the communications.
I doubt whether India has a separate regulator to ensure safety from the EMF radiation exposures. It was suggested that BARC/AERB should start monitoring the EMF density in different locations to ensure see compliance with the available international standards.
Somehow, nothing happened. I felt at that time that the telecom lobby is too strong and it is very difficult to make the government take action on the issue. However, about 6 month's back, Maharashtra Government has formed a committee to look into the matter. It is heartening to note that the newspapers like Times of India and Mumbai Mirror have started realizing the impending public health disaster from excessive usage of mobile phones and EMF emissions from the towers. It is already late. Better late than never.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES): 20 Years of Nuclear Communication
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). The scale has sound technical background.
Jointly developed by the IAEA and the NEA in 1990, in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, the INES is to help nuclear and radiation safety authorities and the nuclear industry worldwide to rate nuclear and radiological events and to communicate their safety significance to the general public, the media and the technical community. The INES was initially used to classify events at nuclear power plants only. It was subsequently extended to rate events occurring in any nuclear facility and during the transport and storage of radioactive material and covers events related to the overexposure of workers.
Since its inception, it has been adopted in 69 countries, and an increasing number of countries have expressed their interest in using INES. Over the years, national nuclear safety authorities have made growing use of INES, while the public and the media have become more familiar with the scale and its significance.
Jointly developed by the IAEA and the NEA in 1990, in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident, the INES is to help nuclear and radiation safety authorities and the nuclear industry worldwide to rate nuclear and radiological events and to communicate their safety significance to the general public, the media and the technical community. The INES was initially used to classify events at nuclear power plants only. It was subsequently extended to rate events occurring in any nuclear facility and during the transport and storage of radioactive material and covers events related to the overexposure of workers.
Since its inception, it has been adopted in 69 countries, and an increasing number of countries have expressed their interest in using INES. Over the years, national nuclear safety authorities have made growing use of INES, while the public and the media have become more familiar with the scale and its significance.
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