Warning people about harmful effects of radiation from mobile phones,
the government has asked service providers and makers to avoid
promotional advertisements showing vulnerable segments like children
and pregnant women using cell phones.
The electromagnetic waves emitted from mobile phones can seriously
damage the tissues of the users' brain, according to recent guidelines
issued by the Ministry of Telecommunication.
The draft guidelines suggested measures like limited usage of mobile
phones by children, pregnant women and people suffering from heart
ailments.
In India, the growth of mobile phones is very high and may cross 500
million by 2010-end, and a large chunk of the users are children.
Many parents provide mobile phones to their children for safety
reasons, and to keep connected with them all the time.
The guidelines say that mobile phones/radio terminals radiate Radio
Frequency energy that heats up the tissues which may be possibly
harmful to human health.
During use, mobile phones are usually kept closer to the ear which is
very near to the brain giving rise to fears that continuous use of
mobile phone for longer duration may damage some brain tissues.
The report advises people to use hands-free, if longer use is
unavoidable and recommends that children below 16 should be
discouraged from using cell phones as the tissues of children are
tender and are likely to be more affected.
According to the report, use of mobile phones/radio terminals by
persons, using medical aids such as hearing aids, defibrillators,
pacemakers and other implants should be minimised.
The use of cell phones/radio terminals in vulnerable areas of
hospitals such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) should be prohibited or
restricted as decided by hospital authority.
The ministry has asked the manufacturers to provide the details of
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for each hand set on websites or,
if possible, on the handsets as well. The SAR value indicates average
time for use of mobile phones that can be called harmless.
At the same time, the ministry has stressed on developing an effective
system of health information and communication, designed by
scientists, government, industry and public, to raise the level of
general understanding about mobile phone technology.
Source: Financial Express
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