 |
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari gestures as he speaks during a press conference at Ministry of Information Technology. |
|
|
|
|
| |
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology has issued policy to the PTA establishing national guidelines for mitigating environmental and health related effects of the Cellular Base Station Antennas and to address public concerns about radiation hazards of the infrastructure.
Minister IT, Awais Ahmed khan Leghari Monday announced the issuance of policy at a press conference at the Ministry of Information technology.
The demand for wireless telephony in country in general and cellular in particular is projected to continue growing at a substantial pace in the coming years. Due to heavy investment of operators in rollout, the total number of cellular mobile and WLL base stations in the country stands at around 10,000 and is expected to reach a figure of more than 13000 during 2007. While development of cellular infrastructure is the key indicator of the growth of our telecom industry there are some public concerns and negative perceptions relating to health hazards due to base station towers.
The Cabinet instructed the Ministry of IT to conduct a through study and take policy steps required to minimize the negative impacts of base station proliferation across the country.
Mr. Leghari added that a detailed research study has been conducted by the IT Ministry to take stock of the situation. Radiation hazards from the base stations were thoroughly analyzed in light of international research and recommendations of standards bodies (ANSI/IEEE and the International Council for Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
The study report was also circulated to the Ministries of Health, Environment, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the industry stakeholders for comments and recommendations. The study has concluded that although a bulk of medical research material is available on the health related effects of electromagnetic radiation yet no conclusive evidence of hazards to human health has been established for possible exposure levels viz-a-viz current arrangement of cellular towers. Only if a human being comes directly in front of an antenna radiating surface (not the tower), within more than 8 meters (25 feet) can there be a possibility of exposure to radiation levels detrimental to human health. (Antenna is mounted on 20-35 Meter high tower
Figure depicting hazardous area in front of antenna Owing to the finding of some research studies indicating probability of some negative effects mainly on human well being, both the standards bodies have recommended precautionary approaches and have set conservative limits for exposure to radiation. Most of the countries around the world have adopted one of the standards. In view of the study and extensive consultation MoIT has decided that Pakistan also needs to adopt a precautionary approach in light of non-conclusiveness of international research and put in place safeguards against any remote chances of health hazards due to cellular antennas.
Directive to PTA in this regard is hence being issued establishing the policy i)
International Council for Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines of 1998 for public and occupational exposure to radiation to be adopted as national standard. These guidelines set conservative limits on uncontrolled (public) and controlled (occupational) exposure resulting from radiation due to base station antennas. * As a general rule, (a) to meet the uncontrolled (public) exposure guideline, the antennas be so deployed that no access for the public is possible within more than 8 meters (25 feet) from the radiating surface of the antenna (Directly in front of antenna in horizontal plane) and * (b) to meet the controlled (occupational) exposure guide lines of ICNIRP, precaution be adopted for areas within 3 meters (10 feet) of the radiating surface. ii)
To ensure compliance to the guidelines about levels of exposure, PTA will conduct independent, random, ongoing audit of base stations. i.
This will ensure that the public will be protected against any radiation exposure risks within guideline levels. ii.
PTA will also ensure that the information on the audit surveys is posted on its website and is readily accessible, interpretable by members of the public and kept up-to-date. iii.
Radiation Standards will also be published on PTA website and media iii).
The Ministry and PTA, in collaboration with the industry will devise and execute a well structured media campaign to educate the public about safety standards related to radiation from base station antennas. The media campaign will also cover the implementation of guidelines and availability of related information on PTA website. iv).
PTA in its regulations on the subject will ensure that appropriate measures are adopted by operators to follow the base station siting criteria and work practices proposed in the study. Adoption of proposed guidelines will harmonize the antenna deployment and work practices and bring installations in line with international practices and address perceptional concerns of general public. With the media awareness campaign and public availability of data on base station antennas and the audit trail data of all antennas, on the PTA website, it is expected that public perceptions about health hazards will improve. The state of the art technology for antennas currently being deployed has led to conclusion that exposure limits will not be violated unless the antenna sites are deployed in such a manner that they directly face populated buildings. Financial impact on operators will be minimal in terms of relocations required. It is estimated that, in major cities, only about 3% of antenna sites currently commissioned will have to be improved. PTA will give a timeline of six months for such improvements and at the same time concerns of local authorities and provincial governments will be addressed through harmonized guidelines for the entire country. PTA will take all necessary actions as relevant to the policy measures and guidelines and also launch public awareness campaign so that policy guidelines are implemented in true spirit and concerns of the general public and local/provincial authorities are addressed in a satisfactory manner. | 
Health
