From Sept 1, new norms to lower exposure by 1/10th

The Centre on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that new radiation norms will be brought into force within two days, bringing down exposure limits to one-tenth of the existing level.

The Centre on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that new radiation norms will be brought into force within two days, bringing down exposure limits to one-tenth of the existing level.

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Additional Solicitor General Rajeev Mehra submitted before the court that the Centre was committed to clamping down on excessive radiation from cell phone handsets and towers.

Reading out the report of the inter-ministerial committee formed on the issue, Mehra said, “As per new radiation norms coming into effect from September 1, radio frequency exposure limits are to be lowered to 1/10th of the existing level.” It also said that it will be mandatory for manufacturers to display the maximum radiation emission level on each handset.

Imported handsets or those manufactured and sold in India will also be checked for specific absorption level limit compliance. The government has also proposed an amendment in Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to ensure that the handsets satisfy radiation standards.

“It is confirmed that radiation from towers causes different types of swelling in the brain, head, hearing disorder, headache and anxiety neurosis... But no action is taken for the safety of the persons living around the towers,” his lawyer Sugriva Dubey argued.