PEC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY CHANDIGARH

TELECOMMUNICATION
TOWERS
PROJECT – ELECECTRICAL ENERGY
SYSTEMS
Aditya Gupta
071212
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

The document consist all about communication towers and how cellular
communication operate. This document also consist of environmental hazards of
mobile cell towers and number of towers in Chnadigarh
 INDEX
1. Mobile phone network 03

2. Telecommunication towers 07

3. Harmful Impacts of Telecom towers 12

4. Datasheet of Airtel towers 26

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Mobile phone network
The most common example of a cellular network is a mobile phone (cell phone)
network. A mobile phone is a portable telephone which receives or makes calls
through a cell site (base station), or transmitting tower. Radio waves are used to
transfer signals to and from the cell phone.Modern mobile phone networks use
cells because radio frequencies are a limited, shared resource. Cell-sites and
handsets change frequency under computer control and use low power
transmitters so that a limited number of radio frequencies can be simultaneously
used by many callers with less interference.

A cellular network is used by the mobile phone operator to achieve both

coverage and capacity for their subscribers. Large geographic areas are split into
smaller cells to avoid line-of-sight signal loss and to support a large number of
active phones in that area. All of the cell sites are connected to telephone
exchanges (or switches) , which in turn connect to the public telephone network.

In cities, each cell site may have a range of up to approximately ½ mile, while in
rural areas, the range could be as much as 5 miles. It is possible that in clear
open areas, a user may receive signals from a cell site 25 miles away.

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Since almost all mobile phones use cellular technology, including GSM, CDMA,
and AMPS (analog), the term "cell phone" is in some regions, notably the US,
used interchangeably with "mobile phone". However, satellite phones are mobile
phones that do not communicate directly with a ground-based cellular tower, but
may do so indirectly by way of a satellite.

There are a number of different digital cellular technologies, including: Global

System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS),
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO),
Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3GSM, Digital Enhanced
Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA), and
Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN).

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 Cellular telephone frequency reuse pattern

Movement from cell to cell and handover

In a primitive taxi system, when the taxi moved away from a first tower and
closer to a second tower, the taxi driver manually switched from one frequency
to another as needed. If a communication was interrupted due to a loss of a
signal, the taxi driver asked the base station operator to repeat the message on
a different frequency.

In a cellular system, as the distributed mobile transceivers move from cell to cell
during an ongoing continuous communication, switching from one cell frequency
to a different cell frequency is done electronically without interruption and
without a base station operator or manual switching. This is called the handover
or handoff. Typically, a new channel is automatically selected for the mobile unit
on the new base station which will serve it. The mobile unit then automatically
switches from the current channel to the new channel and communication
continues.

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The exact details of the mobile system's move from one base station to the other
varies considerably from system to system (see the example below for how a
mobile phone network manages handover).

Cellular handover in mobile phone networks

As the phone user moves from one cell area to another cell whilst a call is in
progress, the mobile station will search for a new channel to attach to in order
not to drop the call. Once a new channel is found, the network will command the
mobile unit to switch to the new channel and at the same time switch the call
onto the new channel.

With CDMA, multiple CDMA handsets share a specific radio channel. The signals
are separated by using a pseudonoise code (PN code) specific to each phone. As
the user moves from one cell to another, the handset sets up radio links with
multiple cell sites (or sectors of the same site) simultaneously. This is known as
"soft handoff" because, unlike with traditional cellular technology, there is no one
defined point where the phone switches to the new cell.

In IS-95 inter-frequency handovers and older analog systems such as NMT it will
typically be impossible to test the target channel directly while communicating.
In this case other techniques have to be used such as pilot beacons in IS-95. This
means that there is almost always a brief break in the communication while
searching for the new channel followed by the risk of an unexpected return to
the old channel.

If there is no ongoing communication or the communication can be interrupted,

it is possible for the mobile unit to spontaneously move from one cell to another
and then notify the base station with the strongest signal.

Cellular frequency choice in mobile phone networks

The effect of frequency on cell coverage means that different frequencies serve
better for different uses. Low frequencies, such as 450 MHz NMT, serve very well
for countryside coverage. GSM 900 (900 MHz) is a suitable solution for light
urban coverage. GSM 1800 (1.8 GHz) starts to be limited by structural walls.
UMTS, at 2.1 GHz is quite similar in coverage to GSM 1800.

Higher frequencies are a disadvantage when it comes to coverage, but it is a

decided advantage when it comes to capacity. Pico cells, covering e.g. one floor

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of a building, become possible, and the same frequency can be used for cells
which are practically neighbours.

Cell service area may also vary due to interference from transmitting systems,
both within and around that cell. This is true especially in CDMA based systems.
The receiver requires a certain signal-to-noise ratio. As the receiver moves away
from the transmitter, the power transmitted is reduced. As the interference
(noise) rises above the received power from the transmitter, and the power of
the transmitter cannot be increased any more, the signal becomes corrupted and
eventually unusable. In CDMA-based systems, the effect of interference from
other mobile transmitters in the same cell on coverage area is very marked and
has a special name, cell breathing.

One can see examples of cell coverage by studying some of the coverage maps
provided by real operators on their web sites. In certain cases they may mark the
site of the transmitter, in others it can be calculated by working out the point of
strongest coverage.

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Telecommunication
towers
Introduction
A cell-phone tower is typically a steel pole or
lattice structure that rises hundreds of feet into the
air.

The base of the tower has equipment for all

service providers. Little equipment is needed in
modern systems. Older often have small
buildings at their base.

Here’s equipment for one service provider.The

box houses radio transmitters and receivers that
let tower communicate with phones.

Radios connect with antenna on tower through a

set of thick cables.

If you look closely, you will see that the tower and all of the cables and
equipment at the base of the tower are heavily grounded.

For example, the plate in this shot with the green wires bolting onto it is a solid
copper grounding plate
In the present era the technology in communications has developed to a very
large extent. The faster growth demands advances in the design and
implementation of the communication towers.

There are different types of communication towers present now-a-days in the

cellular business. The present paper covers the issues related to the types of
towers, codal provisions for the communication towers, foundation design of the
green field and roof top towers and optimization of the towers through expert
ware.

Cold-formed sections are used in many industries and are often specially shaped
to suit the particular application. In building uses, the most common sections are
the C and the Z shapes. There are, however, a whole range of variants of these

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basic shapes, including those with edge lips, internal stiffeners and bends in the
webs.

Other section shapes are the "top-hat" section and the modified I section. The
common range of cold-formed sections that are marketed is illustrated in Figure.
The sections can also be joined together to form compound members. The
reason for the additional lips and stiffeners is because unstiffened wide thin
plates are not able to resist significant compression and consequently the use of
steel in the section becomes inefficient. However, a highly stiffened section is
less easy to form and is often less practicable from the point of view of its
connections. Therefore, a compromise between section efficiency and
practicability is often necessary.

Various designs of telecom towers

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Types of communication towers

The different types of communication towers are based upon their structural
action, their cross-section, the type of sections used and on the placement of
tower.

A brief description is as given below:

Based on structural action.

Towers are classified into three major groups based on the structural action.
They are:

• Self supporting towers

• Guyed towers

• Monopole.

Self supporting towers.

The towers that are supported on ground or on buildings are called as self-
supporting towers. Though the weight of these towers is more they require less
base area and are suitable in many situations. Most of the TV, MW, Power
transmission, and flood light towers are self-supporting towers.

Guyed towers.

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Guyed towers provide height at a much lower material cost than selfsupporting
towers due to the efficient use of high-strength steel in the guys. Guyed towers
are normally guyed in three directions over an anchor radius of typically 2/3 of
the tower height and have a triangular lattice section for the central mast.
Tubular masts are also used, especially where icing is very heavy and lattice
sections would ice up fully. These towers are much lighter than self supporting
type but require a large free space to anchor guy wires. Whenever large open
space is available, guyed towers can be provided. There are other restrictions to
mount dish antennae on these towers and require large anchor blocks to hold
the ropes.

Monopole.

It is single self-supporting pole, and is generally placed over roofs of high raised
buildings, when number of antennae required is less or height of tower required
is less than 9m.

Based on cross section of tower.

Towers can be classified, based on their cross section, into square, rectangular,
triangular, delta, hexagonal and polygonal towers.

Open steel lattice towers make the most efficient use of material and enables
the construction of extremely light-weight and stiff structures by offering less
exposed area to wind loads. Most of the power transmission, telecommunication
and broadcasting towers are lattice towers.

Triangular Lattice Towers have less weight but offer less stiffness in torsion. With
the increase in number of faces, it is observed that weight of tower increases.
The increase is 10% and 20% for square and hexagonal cross sections
respectively. If the supporting action of adjacent beams is considered, the
expenditure incurred for hexagonal towers is somewhat less

Based on the type of material sections.

Based on the sections used for fabrication, towers are classified into angular and
hybrid towers (with tubular and angle bracings). Lattice towers are usually made
of bolted angles. Tubular legs and bracings can be economic, especially when
the stresses are low enough to allow relatively simple connections. Towers with
tubular members may be less than half the weight of angle towers because of
the reduced wind load on circular sections. However the extra cost of the tube
and the more complicated connection details can exceed the saving of steel
weight and foundations

Based on the number of segments.

The towers are classified based on the number of segments as Three slope
tower; Two slope tower; Single slope tower; Straight tower.

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Service providers have attempted to “beautify” cell towers.
Better examples are lower-power base stations, which can be embedded on
sides of buildings (with brick facing).

High-Power, Low-Power Cell Towers

When the power of a cell tower is reduced, its coverage area is smaller. In real
cellular systems, cell sizes range from sixth tenths of a mile to thirty miles in
radius.This variation in cell sizes implies that a cellular system can be developed
with a hierarchy, i.e., with multiple tiers

Telecom towers in India

There are 3.75 lakh telecom towers in 2009. Its is estimated to grow to 4.25 Lakh
in 2010.

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13
Harmful Impacts of Telecom
towers
HEALTH HAZARDS ARISING DUE TO RADIO FREQUENCY
RADIATION FROM MOBILE TOWERS/ ANTENNA

At the outset, we say that we are not opposing the mobile phone technology as
such. However while accepting the technology, the government, mobile service
companies and citizens must know the health hazards caused if proper “SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS” are not taken. And arrive at a consensus about location, height,
radiation levels of mobile tower/ antennae. Foolproof laws must emerge to
govern the installation of mobile base stations, in order to avoid health hazards
& safety hazards to the citizens of India.

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After going through many scientific papers & on visiting internet sites of
hospitals, following conclusions can be drawn.

“Fachkrankenhaus Nordfriesland”; the German hospital dealing with health

problem arising form Electro-magnetic fields has come out with its research
findings (on their website www.fachkrankenhausnf.de) about E-smog. It is
discovered that due to E-smog, there is massive reduction in
“Melatonin hormonal levels. Melatonin is an important hormone required for
sound sleep & stable immune system. Further it exercises a protective function
against neuro – generative diseases like Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s diseases &
multiple sclerosis. It lowers blood pressure & cholesterol.

Massive reduction in Melatonin levels of @ 30 % are observed in case

studies.

Health effects as per German Building biologists are mainly hormonal

disturbances – mainly Melatonin. Sleep disturbances, fatigue, depressive moods.

Dr Vini Khurana, Australian neurosurgeon of Indian origin says, Cell phones are
today, what tobacco and asbestos companies were 40 yrs ago. Cell phones
cause more cancer than smoking & asbestos.

Dr. Kohli of Punjab University, exposed 50 eggs to EMR for 5 minutes to 30

minutes. All 50 embryos were damaged. It was almost like being micro waved.

Dr. Carlo, epidemiologist, was initially hired by mobile companies to hide facts.
But on learning the dangerous health hazards he has come out with research
papers on this subject. He was physically assaulted. His house was burnt down.

Dr. Neil Cherry, biophysicist from Lincoln university of New Zealand,

opined at Scientific workshop on biological & health effects of RF – EMF
held in Vienna in 1999, “Every night, as we go to sleep, our melatonin
level rise. Melatonin goes through our blood & clears our cells up, that
is to say, scavenges free radicals, which are highly damaging
chemicals. If free radicals persist for long, they damage the DNA, cause
damaged cells & are shown to be carcinogenic. Melatonin is one of
those agents, that cleans us up every night to reduce the possibility

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that cells will become carcinogenic. Power lines, Radio, TV & Cell phone
towers must be kept away from houses, hospitals, schools.

More & more scientists in Europe already believe in link between EMR & cancers
( in patients closer to masts).

Electro-magnetic spectrum is made up of millions of frequencies & frequency

bands. Wireless products employ RF, micro-wave & extremely low frequencies.

Studies demonstrate how utilizing this band of frequencies can disturb various
mind & body connection.

We are covering our planet with haze of electro-smog from a host of wire-less
radiation devices, which is showing its effect not only on human population but
plants, animals & climate. We are engaging into a world were biology & physics
are co-dependent/ interdependent.

Our brain is tuned to natural background frequencies which exist

between earth’s surface & ionosphere. These frequencies are called
Schumann resonance frequencies (SR) from 0 – 50 Hz. The brain cells reside in
ELF frequency band. Daily cycles & emotional functions of our lives are guided by
SR frequencies. Everything from our sleep, wake up cycles to creative cognitive
tasks, relaxation to states of anxiety are activated by this band of frequencies.

Recently a few scientists have observed that man kind has altered
these frequencies. Once our strongest and base frequency was 7.8 Hz,
inside alpha band. It is now rising to 11 Hz, close to Beta band.

This is important, because 7.8 Hz is the centre of brain’s alpha wave activity ( 7
to 12 Hz), where mind generates its capacity of creativity, mental co-ordination,
calmness, inner awareness & learning.

If the base of SR continues to rise, it will cross in Beta activity. This

level is associated with alertness & anxiousness. But at higher levels, it
leads to lack of focused attention, concentration.

Scientists are now zeroing on how man made RF/ microwave frequency
signal can interfere with the body. The process is called frequency
coupling/ resonance. The theory concludes, “When a material (the
body) is activated by interaction with another source of energy

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(RF/MW) at same resonant frequency; a more powerful & intensive
response occurs. If frequency is pulse modulated; a significant changes
can be created in the codes of DNAs of human body. Scientists have
observed how EM-RF radiation alter biological processes. Scientists
have shown, that wireless radiation affects everything from cellular
functions to general well being to more end point diseases.

EM – RF radiations cause increase in micronuclei levels & reduced

Melatonin levels.

Micronuclei are indicators of compromised immune factors & precursors to

cancer. RF radiation impacts & penetrates cellular growth & division processes,
which could ultimately be linked with more acute & chronic diseases such as
DNA damage, increased micronuclei formation, activation of stress proteins etc.

EM-RF frequencies break in the blood – brain barrier, a barrier which

keeps toxins from entering the brain. Breaking blood – brain barrier
contributes to increase in development of Alzheimer, Parkinson & other
neurological diseases; reduced sperm count.

Maximum fields occur between 30 – 100 meters from the mast. “Lund
University”, Sweden, has been doing research on connection between
Alzheimer’s disease & mobile phones/ masts. They found out positive link. (due
to reduction in Melatonin & rise in micronuclei levels).

Cancer throughout the world is becoming more common, largely due to greater
exposure to radiation. The best action a person can take at present level of
scientific & medical knowledge is to minimize exposure to all EMF fields.

As per resolution passed in “International Cell tower conference” 2000

held in Salzburg, Austria, in which over 100 physicians & 33 other
delegates took part, “A cell tower should be situated no closer than
1500 ft (457 mtrs) to homes”. They went a step ahead & declared CELL
phone towers as “Public health emergency”.

International LEGAL scenario:

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Precautionary principle is increasingly recognized by law courts &
governments worldwide. This safeguard is a moral & political principle
which states that, “ If an action or policy ‘might’ cause severe
irreversible harm ( such as brain tumor, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s disease) to the public; in the absence of a scientific
consensus that would ensue; the burden of proof falls on those who
would advocate taking the action”. This particular principle was
adopted by European Union; which states, “Preventive action should be
taken & damage should as a priority, be rectified at the source & that
the ‘polluter’ should pay”.

Versailles Appeal court, in France, ordered Bouygues Telecom, to

dismantle its phone mast from a building roof top, on early morning of
6th March 2009 on the basis of “Precautionary Principle”, because there
was insufficient proof that cell phones are harmless.

Obama administration is now exploring Cell tower health risks. On 29.01.09, Prez
Obama asked US cancer panel to investigate possible links between electro
magnetic radiations (EMR) & rise in number of cancer patients.

What the prevalent law in India Says about this issue?

The Telecom commission of India, has approved the adoption of “International

Commission recommendations on Non – ionizing Radiation Protection” (ICNIRP)
guidelines, recommended by Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), in
the Telecommunication Sector in India regarding basic restriction & response
levels for limiting Electromagnetic Field exposure.

Frequency E- field strength H – Field meter strength Power Density

Range (Volt/meter) (Amp/meter) (Watt/m2)
400 MHz to 1.375 f1/2 1/2
0.0037 f f/200
2000 MHz
2 GHz to 61 0.16 10
300 MHz

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On the instructions of Honorable High Court of Mumbai, (Writ petition no. 2112,
year 2004, Mr. Farookh Contractor Vs. Government of India), “Health & welfare
ministry” of central government of India, formed a committee under
chairmanship of Dr. N. K. Ganguly, DG, ICMR, in March 2006. They were asked to
investigate and suggest about viable solutions w.r.t:

A) Whether it is advisable to frame and/ or adopt the existing international

guidelines pertaining to installation of mobile base stations by mobile service
providers, so as to avoid any potential risk to health & safety to public at
large.
B) Explore the possibility for studying the course of action & framing a research
project.
The committee held meeting on 29th May 2006 at I.C.M.R. headquarters, New
Delhi; and made following observations: Height of mobile base station antenna is
nominally 36 metres, hence there is no possibility of any health effect on people
moving on the road. The effect of radio waves depends upon the distance from
the base stations since the antennae are directed horizontally with a 5 degree
downward tilt. The strength of radio frequency fields in front of the antennae
varies with distance. Persons standing directly in front of antennae in these high
density zones will get higher exposures. Further the committee said, a
precautionary approach should be adopted till further research data is
available. It will not be amiss to adopt the ICNIRP guidelines for limiting EMF
exposure. Appropriate funds may be made available to institutes conducting
surveys to find enough evidence, data generated through appropriate
epidemiological studies. In Indian cities, like Delhi, Mumbai, Banglore,
Hyderabad, installed towers are of max 50 feet height on high rise residential
buildings. When enquired about the height of mobile tower, the mobile
companies say, Dr. N. K. Ganguly said 36 mtrs from ground. People
living on top floors of these buildings have to suffer deadly diseases
because of this nonsensical argument.

Legalities & Technicalities of mobile tower:

As per ICNIRP “International Commission recommendations on Non – ionizing

Radiation Protection”, guidelines, which are followed in India, Mobile antenna
should not emit more than 600 mW/m2 radiations. However in India,

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Mobile antenna having capacity of 7260 mW/m2 radiation are installed.
But measurement of radiation is to be done by the service providers.
Hence in absence of a third party inspection w.r.t. radiation levels,
citizens are suffering from illnesses of very serious nature.

As per Government of Maharashtra and town planning department of Mumbai

municipal corporation regulation of November 2007, care has to be taken such
that, there is no risk of any kind, in radius of 1.5 times the height of the tower. If
as per Ganguly commission’s observation, height of tower is considered as 36
meters, then care must be taken in such a way that, citizens in a radius of 54
meters do not face risk of any kind. In other words, “No objection certificate”
from all citizens staying within radius of 54 meters from the tower should be
obtained and responsibility of the health of citizens in 54 meters radius should be
owned by the mobile tower company. In other words, precautionary principle
should be followed.

Citizens should start questioning the mobile companies on these guidelines.

Petitioners before Kerala high court argued that Telecom towers could cause
fatal diseases such as cancer & embryo disruption, pointing out to several case
studies of people living near tower.

Senior advocate Mr. P. N. Rao says, cell companies will be failing in their duty, if
they do not tell the general public about ill effects of setting up towers. Every
citizen has a right to life & he ought to know what is right & what is wrong for
him.

Central government of India is looking into this matter & has constituted a panel
to study the problem & report it. Panel is expected to brief the government of
the ill effects of setting up a tower & also make recommendations on how to
ensure health of the people. Government will initiate steps based on
recommendations made by the panel.

Case studies: Abroad

In Berkeley House, Staple Hill, Bristol, UK, where Orange mobile mast was
erected on roof of 5 story bldg; five out of eight flats on top floor have been
affected – 3 have died.

Top floor – 5th floor:-

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 1. Llewellin – male –(63) died of bowel cancer.
2. Barbara Wood – Female –(70) died of breast cancer.
3. Hazel Frape – Female –(63) fighting breast cancer.
4. Phyllis Smith – Female –(89) fighting breast cancer.
Fourth floor

5. Bernice Mitchel – Female –(69) Womb cancer.

In Warwickshire, 31 cancer patients were detected on a single street & a quarter
of 30 odd staff at a special school, within sight of 90 ft high mast, developed
brain tumors since 2000. The masts are being pulled down under growing
protests of thousands of people. Top floor residents of Melbourne office building
were closed down & 100 people were evacuated after 7th worker in 7 years was
diagnosed with brain tumor.

Case studies in India:

1. Riddhi Park, Thakurlee (West)

A. Mrs Roopa Bhat, Builder had installed mobile tower before the residents had
occupied the building. Within 4 months of occupying the top floor flat, Mrs Roopa
Bhat started suffering from “brain tumor”. She used to feel fatigued; and also
suffered from white rashes on the body.

B. Mrs Roopa Bhat’s neighbor delivered a baby with cancer of spinal chord name
not disclosed at request of the patient’s parents.

C. Another neighbor (name not to disclosed) gave birth to child having “BIRTH
DEFECTS”; and the child died immediately after birth.

All the residents of the building are now demanding the demolition of the tower.
In spite of these demands by residents, builder has installed another
“VODAPHONE” tower. Mrs. Roopa Bhat has left her flat in Thakurlee and she is
now staying in Goregaon and spent @ Rs. 10 lakhs for treatment on brain tumor.
She has to pay for additional rental money. However her health is now
improving.

2. Mr. Bhagwant Deshpande, of North Kasba peth, Deshpande galli, Solapur;

has come out with an interesting statistics about people staying in 300 ft radius

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of “Vodaphone” & “Airtel” mobile towers. He says there have been 9 deaths in
last four years, since the installation of these towers. Details of the dead persons
are given below:

Sr Name Year of Cause of death Age at the time of

No death death
1 Mrs. Radhabai Sathe 2005 Breast Cancer 66
2 Mrs. Deshpande 2006 Cancer of Oesophagus 48
3 Mrs Shubhangee 2007 Cancer of rectum 66
Deshpande
4 Mr. Pujaree 2008 Cancer 46
5 Mrs Gawai 2008 Breast Cancer 52
6 Mrs. Shah 2009 Cancer 48
7 Mr. Vidyadhar Dev 2009 Cancer of Liver 52
8 Mrs Ransube 2009 Cancer of Throat 73
9 Miss Archana Malvadkar 2009 Cancer of spinal chord 17

3. Mr. Ram Pradhan, Bhavani Socitey, Kalwa (W), Dist. Thane experiences
skin rash & irritation.

4. Sleep disorders, restlessness & Fatigue experienced by:

i. Mr. Vishwanath Vichare, Bamdra (East)

ii. Mr. Vasant Kelkar, Kalpak society, Bandra (W),
iii. Mr. Jagannath Sable, Vikhroli, (W),
iv. Mr. Narendra Bhagwat, Gulmohar society, Nagpada, Thane, teacher
by profession.
v. Mr. Sakharam Bhila Patil, Devpur, Dhule, a retired teacher has
mobile tower in adjoining house. On making complaints to competent
authorities, the owner of adjoining house attacked Mr. Patil twice.
vi. Mr. Bhanudas Vaiykar, Subhash nagar, Meethbandar road, Thane
(E).
vii. Mr. Antony D’souza, Gaurav Galaxy, Meera road (E),
viii. Mr. Sumeet Kale, Rana towers, Ekdant society, Kalwa (W),
experiences severe headache.

Sleep disorders in an individual, if observed after installation of mobile

tower on his/ her respective building, in fact violate Section 21 of

22
“Indian Constitution”, which guarantees peaceful living & liberty. If
one can’t sleep, how his/ her life would be peaceful?

5. Problems due to noise pollution created by 20 KVA/ 30 KVA

generators for the mobile tower:

i. Mr. Vinod Jain, Bhopal house, Sadanad Jadhav marg, Dadar(E), Mumbai
400014, says, mobile tower was installed on top of his building, without
any permission. Cooling unit & generator are adjacent to their flat. His
Wife suffers from heart ailment & was recently operated. Noise pollution
has robbed the family of sound sleep.
ii. Mr. Yogesh Dapurkar, Nagpur – 10, has old parents in house, can’t bear
the noise pollution.
iii. Mrs. Sadhana Janaskar, Amrut Park, Kalwa (W), suffers from noise
pollution.
iv. Mr. Mohan Dongare, Balsunder society, Nanpada, Thane (W), says tower
was erected without any prior permission. He stays out of India for 6
months. But when he is back in India, he has to suffer from noise
pollution of the generator set. After seeing gross neglect for
common man’s life and safety, he is ashamed that he is an
Indian,
In absence of electricity supply from MSEB/ BEST/ BSES, the mobile
tower antenna works on generator. These generators are designed to
function in open air & open ground. These generators must have 2
meters free space around them. But nobody bothers. How are these
generators placed?:

a. Backside of the building/ parking space/ under some roof.

b. Under the staircase.

c. Mostly adjacent to neighbor’s house. Extremely near to neighbor’s

compound wall.

In short, voice must be raised and made to hear by the aggrieved about
wrong placement of “Generators”, which cause lot of noise pollution and
pollution. Complaints should be lodged in nearest police station,
pollution control board & inspector electricity board. On receipt of
complaint, police visit the sight & measure noise decibel level. If sound
intensity is found to be more than 75 dB, then the generator is

23
 “confiscated” by the police. Chimney of the generator has to be 3 meter
above the height of the adjoining buildings. If smoke of generator is
polluting the neighbors, the generator can be confiscated

6. Safety, TRAI regulations are being grossly violated.

A. Co-author, Mr. Manoj Londhe, along with aged parents, wife & son stays
on 7th (top) floor, Clement court, Gokhale road, Dadar(W), Mumbai 28.
Working committee of his building, on the basis of majority, gave a go
ahead for the erection of mobile tower. Mr. Manoj had appraised the
members of possible health hazards in various society meetings to no
avail. The company, without taking mandatory permissions from
competent municipal authorities or pollution control board downloaded the
material of construction for the mobile tower in society premises to which
Mr. Manoj objected. Apart from health hazards arising from mobile
antenna, he has raised very important issues.

i. Approach road to his building is very narrow. Fire brigade cannot

approach the building in case of fire. Due to installation of mobile antenna
& allied electrical equipment, fire hazards would definitely increase.

ii. As per ICNIRP regulations, mobile antennae should be kept at least 100
mtrs away from schools & hospitals. Jain hospital and Modern English
school are less than 100 mtrs distance from Clement court.

B. Role of Power suppliers to the mobile towers has always been dubious.
Without permission from competent municipal authorities, how can they
supply electricity to these towers? Pimpri Chinchwad municipal
corporation says there are 400 illegal towers in Pimpri chinchwad. In New
Mumbai there are 322 illegal mobile towers. How these illegal towers get
electrical power supply? Power supply to illegal towers must be “Cut Off”,
immediately.

Statistics:

• Increase in childhood leukemia death has increased 274 fold.

• In US, brain cancer has increased by 25% since 1975.

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 • Switzerland adopts strict limits for cell towers ordinance on non-
ionising radiation protection. Mobile

• phone towers exposure limits: At 900 MHz (frequency) – 4.0 V/M or

4.2 microwatt/ cm2.

• In Italy – 10 microwatt/cm2.

• In Russia at 900 MHz - 3.0 V/m or 2.4 microwatt/ cm2.

How Do Cell Phones Effect the

Environment?
There are significant environmental effects of cell tower
radiations. Some of these are

Effect on Birds

Research shows that when birds are exposed to weak electromagnetic fields,
they disorient and begin to fly in all directions, which explains migratory birds
undermining navigational abilities.

Since most birds migrate at night the largest threat is posed by lighted towers.
When birds encounter lighted structures their nocturnal navigation systems can
become disorientated. They circle the structure repeatedly, reluctant to leave
the lighted area. The birds collide with the guy wires, or with the tower itself, or
with each other. Many of the birds killed belong to species that are already in
decline. The numbers and species known to be affected are probably only the tip
of the iceberg.

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Studies have been conducted at only a small minority of towers, and most bird
carcassesare quickly scavenged by predators. While mortality may be low on
some nights studied, it can reach drastic proportions under certain weather
conditions, such as fog. In 1998 between 5,000 and 10,000 birds of a single
species - Lapland Longspurs - were killed at one 420 foot tower in Kansas on one
night. In New York kills over 1,000 birds on a single night have been documented
at an 850 foot tower in Elmira.

Most studies have been conducted at

towers over 500 feet, but any tower over
200 feet, and those within three miles of
an airport are required to be lit by the
Federal Aviation

Effect on farm animals

Some farmers have observed that cows grazing near cell towers are more likely
to experience still births, spontaneous abortions, birth deformities and behavioral
problems, and general declines in overall health. Moving cattle herds away from
such towers hasreportedly led to immediate health improvements.

According to Dr. W. Löscher of the Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and

Pharmacy of the Veterinary School of Hannover in Germany, dairy cows that
were kept in closeproximity to a TV and cell phone tower for two years had a
reduction in milk productionalong with increased health problems and behavioral
abnormalities. In an experiment, one cow with abnormal behavior was taken
away from the antenna and the behaviorsubsided within five days. When the cow
was brought back near the antenna, thesymptoms returned.

Mobile Phones and Vanishing Bees.

A study in England showed that bees refused to return to their beehives where
there was a DECT cordless phone station. The DECT-station is a simple cordless
phone base, widely used in homes and offices. It continuously emits the same
radiation as mobile phones. It is discussed that the extensive use of mobile
phones may be one reason why bee colonies are vanishing at a huge scale in
Europé and the US.

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Bees are vital pollinators for agriculture. With the vanishing of bees, a major food
crisis could ensue. Another study conducted by Punjab University, India found
that electromagneticradiations from cell phone towers can lead to diseases in
plants and animals, and is the reason for the vanishing butterflies, some insects
and birds like sparrows

News reports by AFP and PTI on August 31, 2009 inform that Dr. Sainuddin
Pattazhy, an environmentalist and reader in Zoology from Kerala found that the
electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phone towers and cellphones might
kill honey bees and thus posed a threat to bee populations in Kerala.

Dr. Pattazhy is reported to have conducted an experiment on the effect of the

mobile towers and cellphones on bee colonies. When a cellphone was kept near
a bee hive, bee foragers didn't return to the hive and the colony population
dwindled within five to ten days. He therefore feels that an unabated growth of
mobile communication systems could endanger the honey bee population in
Kerala within ten years.

The news reports do not give any detail of the experiment and where it was
conducted. However, elsewhere in the Western world it was widely reported
during 2007 that honey bee navigation might be adversely affected by radiation
from cellphones.

A blog item dated September 1, 2009 commenting on the PTI report informs that
Jochen Kuhn of the Landau University, Germany in a study reported in the year
2003 on the effect of cellphones on honey bees' neurobiology observed that
“GSM cell phone radiation in the frequency range 900 MHz - 1800 MHz caused
the bees to avoid the hive. Kuhn speculates that the "waggle" dance that bees
perform on the honeycomb to communicate with others could be influenced by
the radiation. ... Kuhn suggests that the 200 - 300 cycles/second oscillations that
dancing bees produce through honeycomb may be interrupted by a resonance
effect caused by the telephone handsets.”

In a 'Statement' issued in April 2007, Dr. Ulrich Warnke of the University of

Saarland mentioned clearly that man-made electric, magnetic and
electromagnetic fields disturb orientation and navigation of bees. He stated that
this was the conclusion reached based on results of research done by him and
other scientists. The research findings are: (a) the integuments of bees have
semiconductor and piezoelectric functions. This means they are transducers of

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pulse modulated high frequency microwave-fields into an audio frequency range.
Several constructions of the integument work like dielectric receptors of
electromagnetic radiation in the microwave region. (b) Magnetite nanoparticles
are found in the abdomen of bees. (c) Magnetite is an excellent absorber of
microwave radiation at frequencies between 0.5 and 10.0 GHz through the
process of ferromagnetic resonance. Pulsed microwave energy absorbed by this
process is first transduced into acoustic vibrations (magneto acoustic effect). (d)
Free-flying honeybees are able to detect static intensity fluctuations and ultra
low frequency magnetic fields as weak as 26 nT against the background earth-
strength magnetic field. (e) Magnetic field (MF) bursts at a frequency of 250 Hz
oriented parallel to the field-lines of the earth magnetic field induce unequivocal
jumps of misdirection of up to +10°. And, (f) the magnetic induction levels in the
environment are in the extremely low frequency range usually between 0,001
and 170 μT; in the high frequency range between several nT and several μT. So
these levels are commonly higher than the threshold of sensibility of bees to
variations of magnetic fields.

In an interesting discussion dated June 1, 2007 on the connection between high-

frequency active auroral research project's antennal array located in Alaska, USA
(HAARP) and colony collapse disorder (CCD) reported in large parts of the USA,
Canada and several European countries, Guy Crammer says that the timing of
the HAARP array transition to full power prior to the summer of 2006
corresponded with the large-scale occurrence of CCD in the range of the
transmissions from the array and thus the HAARP transmissions could be the
most likely cause of the bee problem.

However, a news item dated September 16, 2008 by Geoffrey Lean in the
Business Report informs that “the Mobile Operators Association, representing the
UK's five mobile phone companies, says a US research group has found
collapsing bee colonies in areas with no mobile phone service, and Denis
Summers-Smith, a leading expert on sparrows, has described the link as
"nonsense".”

In a letter dated March 16, 2008 addressed to beekeepers and beekeeper

associations, the Competence Initiative for the Protection of Mankind,
Environment and Democracy, an interdisciplinary association of scientists and

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physicians founded in May 2007, expressed concern at the disturbing
phenomenon: “the involvement of government in industry and the high
percentage of industry-financed research and industry-beholden panels and
consultants, have spawned a questionable system of environment and consumer
protection. Only that which does not seriously endanger common commercial
interests is noted and supported.” In its argument requesting urgent attention to
the man-made changes in the environment that affect biological systems
including humans, birds and bees, the letter says that with reference to CCD,
plausible arguments had been put forward explaining that Varroa attack also
occurs as a result of previous damage to the bees' immune system due to
electromagnetic fields. It refers to the work of Dr. Warnke which demonstrated
this on a firm basis in his most recent publication: Bees, Birds and People, The
Destruction of Nature as a result of ‘Electrosmog’.

Protecting bees from mobile phone radiation

A report in Eurotinnitus website from Germany five years ago records a simple
means to protect bees from electromagnetic radiation. Paul Doyon has
translated this report into English and this is presented by Sepp on April 22, 2007
here. According to this report, Siegfried Vogel from the Selbitz area of Hüttung,
Germany witnessed the disappearance of all four of his bee hives during the
winter. He believed the radiation emitted from the multitude of surrounding
mobile phone masts was responsible for the loss of his bee colonies. Vogel
offered as evidence of the mobile phone masts having caused the loss of his bee
colonies, the fact that his son's colonies, which were placed behind an aluminum
shielding, had survived. Aluminum is known to block microwave radiation. Since
all their bee colonies were equally protected from cold weather with polystyrene
insulation in the trailer, Siegfried Vogel concluded that the aluminium
surrounding his sons bee hives must be shielding them from the radiation from
mobile phone masts.

By simple experiments Vogel showed that one can protect oneself and one's
bees with metal and magnetic shielding. "We cannot stand our ground against
the monopoly of the mobile telecommunication industry, but in this way perhaps
we can protect ourselves," added Siegfried Vogel.

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DATA SHEET OF AIRTEL TOWERS
Area Number of towers

1. PGI 4

2. Sec 11 3

3. Sec 15 3

4. Sec 2 2

5. Janta colony 1

6. P.U. 3

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