IS HELLO! SAFE AND SOUND?

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emission from mobile phones

Misconceptions and undue fears rule when it comes to emission from mobile phones and other telecoms equipment /infrastructure. The recent and the very first West Africa Conference on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Exposure and Health organised by NCC doused reasoning in this direction writes KEHINDE OLESIN

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The Executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Eugene Juwah did not mince his words when he said the growth of Telecommunications sector in Nigeria has been phenomenal in the last 10 years. He said that following the liberalization of the sector, the country has witnessed tremendous transformation leading to the achievement of over 70 percent tele-density as at the first quarter of 2012.

But again more so, we enjoy the facilities that the telecoms give, we face some challenges that are occasioned by the presence of the telecoms facilities.

The hazards and the steady increase in public concerns pertaining to the possible effects of Electromagnetic (EMF) radiations emanating from telecoms equipment/infrastructure of human health were the crux of experts? discussions ??at the recent First West Africa Conference on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Exposure and Health. The theme of the conference; Harmonizing EMF Policy, Exposure Limits and Risk Communication in West Africa naturally pitched professionals towards the solution.

In 2009, the Nigerian Communications Commission published its Guideline on the technical Specifications for the Installation of Masts and Towers which operators must adhere to. This is to protect the interest of the general public and safety of personnel working in the industry as far as safety is concerned.

Non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of these guidelines shall be deemed to be an offence punishable under relevant provisions of the Nigerian Communications Acts 2003 the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes,) Regulations 2005 and other applicable laws.

At the conference, the Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, submitted that while we savour the gains recorded in the? telecoms industry in the sub-region in the last decade,? mindful of the fact that mobile telephony plays a leading role in the positive revolution, we should be mindful of our health.

Her words-?Recognising the enormous concerns, which have been expressed both locally and international, on whether exposure to electromagnetic fields poses any health hazards to human; and determined to ensure that the people of West Africa are well advised??

According to her there is more than 3 billion mobile phone subscribers in the world served by over 5million base stations connected by mobile infrastructure. She reiterated the concern whether mobile phones are harmful or not.

She explained that mobile phones are low powered radiofrequency transmitters operating at frequencies between 450 and 2700 MHz with peak powers in the range of 0.1 to 2 watts. The handset only transmits power when it is turned on. In this case, the radiofrequency exposure to a user falls off rapidly with increasing distance from the handset. A person using a mobile phone 30-40ccm away from her body will therefore have a much lower exposure to radiofrequency fields than someone who has the handset against the ear. Using the phone in areas of good reception, she said invariably decreases exposure as it allows the phone to transmit at reduced power.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said the EMF are? an unavoidable part of the environment we live in but the magnetic field component of EMF which is able to penetrate the body is the component that is studied in relation to health, particularly in the area of cancer disease.

Despite the mixed reports, Professor Chukwu believed that there might be an inherent increased risk of cancer in children who spend long periods on their cell phones held close to their heads, because their brains are still developing and are still vulnerable to environmental factors that could cause DNA damage. The smaller size of their head makes them susceptible to greater proportional exposure to radiofrequency energy. These combined with longer years of exposure may increase the risks.

To allay the fears of the health Minister is the innovation we have around. Technology is getting better and the newer phones are digital which emit less radiofrequency energy.

A World Health Organization Fact Sheet on Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health on Mobile Phones presented by a representative of WHO, Dr. Emilie Van Deventer bared that ?while an increased risk of brain tumors ?is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further research of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk. According to the fact sheet, WHO identifies and promotes research priorities for radiofrequency fields and health to fill gaps in knowledge through its research agendas.

The body develops public information materials and promotes dialogue among scientists, governments, industry and the public to raise the level of understanding about potential adverse health risks of mobile phones.

Another expert, Telecoms Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Risk Manager Idris Bello Eneye, said mobile telecoms operators have received multitude of complaints bordering on the concerns of possible adverse health impacts of living around the BTS and the use of handsets. More of the complaints are from people living within 100m radius of the BTS.

WAY FORWARD, WAY OUT

Eneye said there could be a way forward when some of the challenges relating to regulations and standards are resolved by harmonizing the regulations and clearer delineation of authorities and responsibilities.

He also proffered that NCC and all such other regional bodies should engage in researches in line with WHO guidelines and periodically measure, monitor and verify the public and occupational exposures to EMF to assure compliance with necessary bodies.

Awareness, public enlightenment and use of alternative power source could also help reduce whatever emission.

Source: http://www.mobileworldmag.com/is-hello-safe-and-sound.html

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