A group of Motithang residents are concerned that the radiation being emitted by a cell phone tower located in their neighbourhood is causing them ill health. Information and communications minister DN Dhungyel confirmed that residents living near the Druk Holding and Investments office in Motithang had submitted such a complaint. “It was also reported that the case was submitted to Bhutan Telecom (BT) for their intervention and consideration for its re-location some time in 2012, as well,” said the minister. “BT had then given the explanation that such towers don’t pose any health risks and do not warrant re-location,” added lyonpo. A second complaint was submitted recently. “When it came to us again from the same residents, we have written to BT to look into it once again and get back to us, as of now, BT hasn’t responded to us on this,” said the minister. The issue of cell phone tower radiation and its effect on health is a hotly debated topic globally. While BT B-Mobile general manager, Pushpa M Pradhan, acknowledged that continuous exposure to EMF (electro magnetic field) radiation emitted by cell phone towers are harmful to health, he also pointed out that there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The cell phone tower of concern to the Mothithang residents belongs to BT, and is located in the immediate vicinity of several residential buildings. Mr Pradhan added that the Indian Medical Association, which carried out a study on the issue, also found that cell phone tower radiation is weaker than those emitted by FM radio towers and television sets. In fact, Mr Pradhan said that studies are available that show mobile phones are more harmful than cell towers as they come into direct contact with the body. “Today, there are more than six billion mobile phone users worldwide and, if there were ill effects like (those) claimed by the residents of Motithang, I’m sure it would have not been possible for this type of growth,” he said. There are international organisations like the International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) that recommend safe limits for towers. Mr Pradhan said that the amount of radiation emitted by BT cell phone towers are within safe limits followed internationally. “Yes, it’s very much within the prescribed limits, which is followed globally,” he said. However, he did not provide a figure of measurement. Tashi Cell general manager for network operations, Ganga R Dhungyel, also acknowledged that the concerns of the Motithang residents are legitimate. “I’m not an expert on these matters, but these are legitimate concerns, especially where the towers are in close proximity to residences and the antennas are directed towards habitable areas,” he said. Tashi Cell has almost 20 towers in the Thimphu valley, up till Chuzom. Mr Dhungyel said that towers located within Thimphu city are configured for minimum power radiation, and that the amount differs from site to site. He said that the maximum EIRP (equivalent isotropically radiated power) emitted by Tashi Cell phone towers is 62dbm (decibel milliwatts). It is not known if there is a maximum level of radiation set by the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) or the health ministry. “I’m not aware of rules or regulations concerning radiation exposure limits from either health or BICMA,” said Mr Dhungyel. On what BT’s next step will be, Mr Pradhan indicated that the company will look to BICMA. “We’re completely regulated by BICMA (which) is looking into the standards and power levels that mobile operators can emit, as per the global standards, so there’s nothing we can do beyond this,” he said. Meanwhile, BICMA, which will be the concerned authority that would investigate such public concerns, did not receive the complaint in discussion.