HC wants cell phone tower radiation risk report

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the health ministry to prepare a detailed report with the help of experts of three international organisations over the health risks of radiation emitting from the country's mobile phone towers, reports UNB.

A two-member High Court bench, comprising Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Salim, passed the order.

The three international organisations are World Health Organisation (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

Advocate Manzill Murshid stood for the petitioner while Khandaker Reza-e-Rakib represented the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and deputy attorney general Kazi Zinat Haque argued for the state.

Talking to reporters, Manzill Murshid said, "Preparing a report is a time-consuming matter. So, the court asked the ministry to submit a progress report by April 10 on the steps taken to prepare it. "

Besides, it asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to submit a progress report by 10 April over the draft guideline being made by the BTRC on radiation.

The HC fixed April 10 for the next hearing.

On 22 March, the health ministry submitted a report on the radiation levels of cell-phone towers to the High Court with a directive to the BTRC to take necessary measures to lower the degree of radiation.

According to the health ministry report, the mobile phone towers are emitting high levels of radiation which is injurious to health.

In 2012, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh filed a petition before the High Court over the radiation levels of mobile phone towers. It also sought a directive to determine the health risks through the WHO.

The High Court later asked the authorities concerned to look into the radiation level, health risks and environmental impacts caused by the radiation.

It also asked the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission to submit a report on the radiation level after visiting the mobile phone towers of different companies.

Besides, it issued a rule asking the relevant authorities to explain why the plaintiffs should not be directed to take effective measures to stop the emission of radiation from the mobile phone towers.

Source: Prothom Alo