
Mumbai: Doctors across India have raised concerns about the potential public health risks, cybersecurity threats, and environmental impact of the revised 5G radiation norms set to take effect on February 1. The medical community, including professionals from Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities, has urged the Union Ministry of Communications to delay the implementation of these new regulations.
The call for postponement is part of a campaign initiated by the Awaken India Movement (AIM), which has also launched an online petition in support of this cause. The primary objection is to the recent increase in the permissible radiation levels for 5G Base Tower Stations, from 1 watt to 5 watts per square meter. The group has argued that the government has not conducted or published studies to address the potential health risks, despite over 200 peer-reviewed global studies and 40 studies in India highlighting the dangers of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation.
Data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory research body under the Department of Science and Technology, has not conducted any studies on the biological and ecological effects of cellular technologies. Additionally, the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued an advisory noting the potential harms of electromagnetic radiation to animals, birds, and insects.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which had previously claimed to have conducted studies on radiation’s health impacts, later contradicted those statements, further fueling concerns.
In their letter to the Union Ministry, AIM expressed worries about the long-term health risks posed by EMF exposure, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The doctors also highlighted the increasing risk of cyberattacks that come with the rapid deployment of the 5G network, including threats like financial fraud, data breaches, and privacy violations.
In addition to health and cybersecurity concerns, the doctors raised alarms about the environmental impact of the 5G rollout. The infrastructure required for 5G, particularly small cell antennas and the increased energy consumption, could exacerbate global environmental challenges. They also pointed to the reported decline of certain species, including frogs, bats, honeybees, and house sparrows, which may be linked to wireless technology.
The doctors have called for a delay in the implementation of the new radiation norms to allow time for comprehensive studies, strengthen regulatory measures, and improve public engagement on the issue.
The letter concluded by emphasizing the government’s duty to protect public health and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution. It criticized the government for not considering the potential impacts on sensitive populations and the environment and warned that failing to address these concerns could undermine public trust in governance.