The radiation emitting from Cellular Base Station Antennas could cause fatal disease like cancer if a person comes directly in front of the radiation surface, around 8 meters (25 feet)', Federal Minister of Information Technology (IT) said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, he said that due to heavy investment of the operators in rollout, the total number of cellular mobile and WLL base stations in the country stands about 10,000 which would exceed 13,000 during 2007. Public concerns about the health hazards from the radiation emitted from base station towers.
According to the federal minister, the cabinet had instructed the ministry of IT (MoIT), to conduct a study to take necessary policy steps to minimise the negative impact of base station proliferation across the country.
He added that the radiation hazards from the base stations were thoroughly analysed in the light of international research and the recommendations of standard bodies along with International Council for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). "The study indicated that only if a human being comes directly in front of an antenna radiating surface, within more than 8 meters, there can be a possibility of exposure to radiation levels detrimental to human health."
The total number of cellular base station antennas in major urban cities is 3% (150-200). So, PTA will send notices to the respective companies to relocate or redesign their base stations. "It a company after receiving the notice shows carelessness then it will be penalised by the government in the form of heavy fine. He added that financial impact of relocation on the operators would be minimal.
The minister further said that a directive to PTA in this regard by MoIT would be sent proposing adoption of ICNIRP 's guidelines of 1998 as national standard. These guidelines set conservative limits on uncontrolled and controlled exposure resulting from radiation due to base station antennas. To ensure compliance to the guidelines about levels of exposure, the minister warned, PTA would conduct independent, random, and ongoing audit of base stations.
"A media campaign to educate the public about safety standards related to radiation from base station antennas will also be devised and executed by the ministry in co-ordination with PTA. Besides, Radiation Standards will also be published on PTA website as well", he added further.