According to WHO: Eelectromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading. All populations are now exposed to varying degrees of EMF, and the levels will continue to increase as technology advances. A wide range of environmental influences causes biological effects. 'Biological effect' does not equal 'health hazard'. Special research is needed to identify and measure health hazards. At low frequencies, external electric and magnetic fields induce small circulating currents within the body. In virtually all ordinary environments, the levels of induced currents inside the body are too small to produce obvious effects. The main effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is heating of body tissues.

1. EMF Overview
&
EMF Norms- India
Latha H C
Senior Research Officer
Regional Office, TRAI,
Bangalore

2. Outline
 EMF Overview
 EMF and Health
 Health Hazard
 International Research
 International safety standards
 EMF norms in India
 Initiatives by Government of India

3. EMF Overview
According to WHO:
Eelectromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest
growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading.
All populations are now exposed to varying degrees of EMF, and the levels will
continue to increase as technology advances.
Natural sources:
• Thunderstorms build up electric charges
in the atmosphere producing electric fields.
• The earth’s magnetic field
Man-made sources:
• X-rays used for diagnosis
• Electrical power socket
• TV stations
• Mobile phones & radio stations
• Electrical appliances like vacuum
cleaners and refrigerators

4.  Perfect Network
 Better Connectivity &
QoS
 Good Data Speed
 24 X 7 Service
 Myths about health
hazards
 NGO/RWA/Consumer
Outcry
Expectations & Apprehensions

5. EMF and Health
What happens when exposed to electromagnetic fields?
Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of weak electric and magnetic fields,
both at home and at work, from the generation and transmission of electricity,
domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and
broadcasting.
Low-frequency electric & Magnetic fields- Both
electric and magnetic fields induce voltages and
currents in the body but even directly beneath a
high voltage transmission line, the induced
currents are very small compared to thresholds
for producing shock and other electrical effects.
The levels of radiofrequency fields to which
people are normally exposed are very much
lower than those needed to produce significant
heating. The heating effect of radio waves forms
the underlying basis for current guidelines
Heating is the main biological effect of the
electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency fields.

6. Biological effects or health effects? What is a health
hazard?
 A wide range of environmental influences causes biological effects. 'Biological
effect' does not equal 'health hazard'. Special research is needed to identify and
measure health hazards.
 At low frequencies, external electric and magnetic fields induce small
circulating currents within the body. In virtually all ordinary environments,
the levels of induced currents inside the body are too small to produce obvious
effects.
 The main effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is heating of body
tissues.
 There is no doubt that short-term exposure to very high levels of
electromagnetic fields can be harmful to health. Current public concern
focuses on possible long-term health effects caused by exposure to
electromagnetic fields at levels below those required to trigger acute biological
responses.

7. Health effect due to EMF- International Research
As part of its charter to protect public health and in
response to public concern over health effects of EMF
exposure, the world health organization (WHO)
established the international EMF project in 1996 to
assess the scientific evidence of possible health effects of
EMF in the frequency range from 0 to 300 ghz.
WHO website mentions the following:
"…..Who's international EMF project was launched to
provide scientifically sound and objective answers to
public concerns about possible hazards of low level
electromagnetic fields. Despite extensive research, to
date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to
low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human
health..."

8. EMF Radiations-
Recommended International safety standards
WHO recommended that 'national authorities should
adopt international standards to protect their citizens
against adverse levels of RF fields. They should restrict
access to areas where exposure limits may be exceeded.
'WHO has recommended adoption of international
standards, namely international commission for non
ionizing radiation protection (ICNIRP) / institute of
electrical and electronics engineers(ieee). The main
conclusion from the WHO reviews is that EMF
exposures below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP
international guidelines do not appear to have any
known consequence on health

9. Telecommunication- India
Telecommunications have been recognized the world-over as an important tool
for socio-economic development of a nation. It has become core infrastructure
required for rapid growth and modernisation of various sectors of the economy.
There has been a phenomenal growth of the telecom sector in terms of
subscribers and revenues over the past one and a half decades in India. Today,
India is amongst top three of largest and one of the fastest growing telecom
markets in the world.
Mobile Phones and Tower Statistics in India
 Population- 1.25 Billion
 Mobile Subscribers – 118 crores
 Mobile Towers – 7.5 Laks appr.

10. EMF Radiation norms in India
 Govt of India, in the year 2008, adopted the International
Commission for Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
Guidelines
 License conditions of Operators were amended on
4.11.2008, with directions to comply to ICNIRP prescribed
radiation norms.
 Directions to report compliance of radiation limits/ levels
through self certification of their BTS to the respective
Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM ) Units
of Licensor (DoT).
 Revised EMF Radiation Norm - On 24.08.2010, the DoT set
up an Inter-ministerial Committee (IMC) consisting of
officers from DoT, Indian Council of Medical Research
(Ministry of Health), Department of Biotechnology and
Ministry of Environment and Forest to examine the effects of
Electro Magnetic Field radiation from base stations and
mobile phones.

11. General research activities in India related to
EMF health
Department of telecommunications and
department of science and technology
(Government of India) are jointly supporting
nineteen research proposals on possible
impact of EMF radiation exposure from
mobile tower and handset on life (humans,
living organism, flora & fauna and
environment).

12. What are the standards in India?
India has adopted norms that are 10 times lower
than ICNIRP standards – a further safety margin

13. Mobile Towers (EMF Radiation Norms)
• EMF ( Electromagnetic Frequency) exposure limit (Base Station Emissions) has
been lowered to 1/10th of the existing ICNIRP exposure level, effective 1st Sept.
2012.
• Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells have been entrusted
with the job of conducting audit on the self certification furnished by the Service
Providers. TERM Cell will carry out test audit of 10% of the BTS site on random
basis and on all cases where there is a public complaint.
• Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) has revised the Test Procedure for
measurement of EMF for verification of EMF compliance for BTS towers in
accordance with new standards.
• For non-compliance of EMF standards, a penalty of Rs. 5 lakhs is liable to be
levied per BTS per Service Provider.
• The BTS site details i.e. self certification, registration with TERM Cell, test results
etc. is proposed to be provided on DoT web site for General Public information.

14. A Two Pronged Approach
Steps taken by the Govt to ensure
Safety of Towers
By Mobile
Operators
Self certification for new
sites and upgrade sites
Biennial self certification
for all sites .
Periodic EMF radiation
measurement at sites
By TERM cell of
DoT
Self certification compliance
verification
Random testing at 10% sites.
If non compliant, penalty of
Rs. 10 Lac/site/TSP
Audit for EMF radiation
related grievances raised by
public.

15. Mobile Handsets- Norms
 All the new design of mobile handsets shall comply with the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values
of 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of human tissue w.e.f. 1st Sept. 2012.
 The mobile handsets with existing designs which are compliant with 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10
gram of human tissue, will continue to co-exist up to 31st August 2013. From 1st Sept. 2013, only
the mobile handsets with revised SAR value of 1.6 W/kg would be permitted to be manufactured or
imported in India.
 SAR value information display on the mobile handsets like IMEI (International Mobile Equipment
Identity) display. The information on SAR values to be made available to the consumer at the point
of sale.
 Mobile hand set manufactured and sold in India or imported from other countries shall be checked
on random basis for compliance of SAR limit after TEC SAR Laboratory is set up by end of 2012.
Test results from international accredited labs will be acceptable in the interim period.
 The manufacturers in India will provide self declaration of SAR value of the handset.
 Suitable amendments in the Indian Telegraph Rule under Indian Telegraph Act 1985 are being
enacted in support of ensuring compliance of new SAR values for handsets.
 Manufacturer’s mobile handset booklet will contain safety precautions.
 All cell phone handsets sold in the market in India will comply with relevant standards and shall
be available in hand free mode.

16. SAR level for Mobile Handsets
Adoption of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limit
of 1.6watt/Kg (averaged over 1 gm of tissue) also
implemented from 01.09.2012

17.  Stringent Norms for EMF Radiation from Base Stations and Mobile phones.
 TERM (Telecom Enforcement & Resource Monitoring ) Cells, field units of DoT,
carry out the EMF compliance monitoring.
 SAR Lab established to measure SAR levels from mobile phones at TEC
(Telecommunication Engineering Centre), DoT.
 Setting up of EMF portal : a website mapping all the cellular base stations in
the country and their compliance to EMR regulations
 Enhancing public awareness.
 Guidelines for EMF compliance.
 Mobile phones to compulsorily display SAR values on them.
 Deployment of Public complaint handling system for EMR.
Guidelines to State Government: Department of Telecommunication has released
Guidelines covering BTS Towers so that some consistency gets evolved on
setting up of BTS towers. Guidelines are available on DoTwebsite.

18. Resources
 www.who.int
 www.icnirp.org/
 www.dot.gov.in
 https://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/consumer-affairs/emf-and-health

19. Thank You