AMN / WEB DESK
Government has scotched the rumors that 5G technology is causing the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Communications said it has come to its notice that several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers.
It said, these messages are utter nonsense and absolutely incorrect. It urged the general public not to be fooled by fake information and rumours spread in this matter. The Ministry said, the claims linking the 5G technology with the COVID-19 pandemic has no scientific basis. It informed that testing of the 5G network has not yet started anywhere in India and the claim that 5G Trials or networks are causing coronavirus in India is baseless and untrue.
Mobile towers emit non-ionizing low Radio frequencies and are incapable of causing any kind of damage to living cells including human beings. The Department of Telecommunications has prescribed norms for exposure limits for the Radio Frequency Field which are ten times more stringent than the safe limits prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP and recommended by WHO.
Initiatives already taken by DoT:
DoT has a well-structured process so that TSPs strictly adhere to these prescribed norms. However, any citizen having any apprehension about any mobile tower emitting radio waves beyond the safe limit prescribed by the department, a request for EMF measurements/testing can be made on Tarang Sanchar portal at https://tarangsanchar.gov.in/emfportal .
To allay the fear of general public regarding health effects of EMF emission from mobile tower, DoT has been taking several steps to generate awareness among the public about EMF radiation such as Nation-wide Awareness Programme, distribution of pamphlets/ information brochure on various topics related to EMF, publishing detailed information on EMF related issues on the website of DoT, advertisements in newspapers, launch of “Tarang Sanchar” portal etc. The field units of DoT have also been organizing public awareness events so that more and more people are made aware about the scientific facts on health effects of EMF emissions from mobile towers.