ICMR to study impact of cellphones, towers on human health

New Delhi: These are some of the questions to which the Indian Council of Medical Research is seeking answers.

"Cell towers and cellphones when in use emit large quantities of radio frequency radiation, exposure to which is not good for health," says Dr M V Katoch, DG, ICMR citing the reason for beginning the investigation here.

"Excessive usage of cell phones or living close to a cell phone tower have been shown to have an adverse effect on women's reproductive and neurological health according to data generated by studies in other coutries. We want to examine if the same is true for the Indian population," he says.

Different departments of AIIMS have been roped in to conduct a study on health hazards due to excessive use of cell phones.

"The study began on May 15 and the departments of neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology have been asked to investigate the health hazards of excessive cellphone use," Dr R S Sharma, DDG, divison of reproductive health and nutrition, ICMR said.

Radio frequency radiation from cellular towers was, he said "an invisible threat. We have asked JNU to study the physical characteristics of cell towers in Delhi. We want to see if norms specified for setting up cell towers has been followed or not".