Voice has advocated that new wi-fi systems should not be installed in schools, that existing systems should be turned off when not required and that schools should consider whether they really need to use wi-fi, which was developed to facilitate Internet access on the move rather than to be used as a convenient alternative to cables in dedicated IT facilities.вЂќ

Whether the children are using them or not, they are exposed to that level of radiation. The difficulty is that once installed in schools, they are switched on constantly. Our concern is that until they are declared to be safe and proven to be safe we should not be installing them in schools. It is a considerable concern that in schools we are installing wi-fi systems and we have no clear evidence that they are safe. Long exposures at lower intensity levels may be as damaging as high exposure levels for short periods hence our concern about wireless networks in schools and nurseries. вЂњIn the last few years there has been a great weight of evidence from around the world which suggests that exposure to electromagnetic radiation can have long-term health impacts, particularly on children, and that exposing young children (from birth to 12) to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can produce changes in cell formation, genetic changes, and potential cancers.Д®xposure levels are only half the story length of exposure is crucial too. The amended guidelines were put up on the DoT web site on August 8. 'A safe distance is mandatory and the height of antennae from the ground should be a minimum of five metres.' The state along with DoT may organize public awareness programs, involving civil society members, over various issues related to cell towers,' the advisory added.ДЇor TERM cells, the guidelines make it compulsory to verify the orientation of antennae, other than just checking the radiation levels. 'The state government may set up state and district level telecom committees consisting of TERM cell officers, state's own officials, representatives of telecom service providers and eminent public personalities. It will be mandatory for the state to supply power connections to cellphone towers on a priority basis. Also, the service provider must submit the certificate of safe radiation or installation to a TERM cell. The guidelines also state that local bodies can seek a fresh no-objection certificate from a building society during renewal of the cell tower site contract. Thus, the overall radiation will increase drastically.' 'Now with the addition of 3G and 4G services, the limit of radiation has been raised to 1,000 milliwatt per metre square for such operations instead of the 450 milliwatts per metre square for GSM 900. IIT professor Girish Kumar, a radiation expert, slammed the guidelines and alleged they show up the government's indifference to the health hazards faced by those who live near cell towers. Hence, the state government may coordinate with or consult them whenever necessary,' stated the guidelines. 'All technical issues related to electro-magnetic radiation from cell towers or wireless frequency allocation of telecom services are dealt with by DoT and its field units called TERM cells. They must first approach a TERM cell for clearance. Now, citizen activists, with or without help from state agencies or civic bodies, can no longer unilaterally shift, remove or seal a cellphone tower. These guidelines are effective from August 1. Each state has its own TERM cell under the DoT. All government and civic agencies must first consult Telecom Enforcement and Resource Monitoring (TERM) cells for approval. MUMBAI: The department of telecommunications (DoT) recently shot off guidelines to state governments for removal or shifting of mobile phone towers over radiation and such concerns. Plan to remove cell tower? Get department of telecommunications unit's nod Chittaranjan Tembhekar, TNN |В Aug 17, 2013, 02.21 AM IST

Reduire flicker premiere