towers
TRANSCRIPT
PEC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY CHANDIGARH
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS
PROJECT – ELECECTRICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
Aditya Gupta071212
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
INDEX1. 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.
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,
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Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA), and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN).
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 of a building, become possible, and the same frequency can be used for cells which are practically neighbours.
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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
IntroductionA 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 plateIn 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 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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 TowersWhen 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
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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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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.
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
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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 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.
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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 (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.
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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:
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 6 th 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?
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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
Range
E- field strength
(Volt/meter)
H – Field meter strength
(Amp/meter)
Power Density
(Watt/m2)
400 MHz to
2000 MHz
1.375 f1/2 0.0037 f1/2 f/200
2 GHz to
300 MHz
61 0.16 10
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.
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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, 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
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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:-
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 7 th 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.
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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 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 No
Name Year of death
Cause of death Age at the time of death
1 Mrs. Radhabai Sathe 2005 Breast Cancer 662 Mrs. Deshpande 2006 Cancer of Oesophagus 483 Mrs Shubhangee
Deshpande2007 Cancer of rectum 66
4 Mr. Pujaree 2008 Cancer 465 Mrs Gawai 2008 Breast Cancer 526 Mrs. Shah 2009 Cancer 487 Mr. Vidyadhar Dev 2009 Cancer of Liver 528 Mrs Ransube 2009 Cancer of Throat 739 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 “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:
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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 “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 7 th (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
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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.
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.
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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.
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 animalsSome 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.
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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.
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.
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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 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
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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 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 42. Sec 11 33. Sec 15 34. Sec 2 25. Janta colony 16. P.U. 3
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