No cause for alarm over cellphone towers, say doctors

 

The construction of two cellphone towers in Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan was halted following protests from residents.

PETALING JAYA: Doctors have allayed fears over the construction of telecommunication towers near residential areas, saying there was no clear evidence that the structures posed health risks.

This comes after the construction of two telco towers in Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan was halted following protests from residents, citing fears of health hazards and radiation.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said there were no studies that show clear and conclusive evidence that electromagnetic radiation used in 4G and 5G telecommunications networks could lead to cancer or other major health effects.

“The radio frequency transmission level tests conducted by the Malaysian Nuclear Agency across the country also found that radiation levels in areas close to transmitters are very low and at a safe level,” MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy told FMT.

Dr Subramaniam Muniandy.

Malaysian Medics International said residents could be exposed to more radiation from their own homes instead of telco towers, adding that the structures were just another source for electromagnetic pollution.

Its chairman Dr Vikkineshwaran Siva Subramaniam told FMT that electromagnetic pollution was all around us, emanating from everyday devices such as phones, computers, televisions, cars and electrical appliances among others.

“The effects of exposure to static and low-frequency radiation have been researched in many studies, but there have been inconsistencies with the findings. In scientific studies, findings should be replicable, but there have been many variations for the studies done on this.

Dr Vikkineshwaran Siva Subramaniam.

“It’s challenging to study the effect of low doses in our environment because there are so many sources emitting it. The cumulative effect makes it hard for us to point out which one source is more harmful than the other,” he said.

He said the great advancement of technology always came with a price while electromagnetic pollution was similar to other types of pollution, in that its effects were more noticeable when accumulated.

“No studies provide direct evidence towards the harms of telco towers on health. Still, the possible harms are implied based on scientific theories. Base towers are just another source of electromagnetic pollution. They are not the sole contributor, but they do play a role in electromagnetic pollution.”

Dr Lee Boon Chye.

Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said radiation from any source is reduced by a factor of two with increased distances, maintaining that the health effects of radiation from telco towers were not confirmed.

But he told FMT that the housing and local government ministry had existing guidelines on the construction of these towers, taking into account the distance from households to ensure the radiation is not more than background radiation.

“We are exposed to radiation all the time and the effect of radiation is cumulative. The radiation we’re exposed to is background radiation, like from sunlight or handphones, and the amount from these is minimal.

“A 30m distance is safe enough provided the tower is not taller than 30m, for obvious reasons, such as, in case the tower collapses. Additionally, all construction of telecom towers requires prior approval from local authorities.” - FMT