In the bustling town of Moga, stands a towering structure silently casting its shadow over the community—a cell phone tower. This isn't just any tower; it's a source of contention for Dr. Sanjeev Chalana, a prominent Ayurvedic doctor in the area. His battle against the tower began with a personal struggle—an array of unexplained health issues that plagued his daily life. Despite his efforts, the tower remains, and Dr. Chalana's story sheds light on the urgent need to address the dangers of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation.
Dr. Sanjeev Chalana, a prominent Ayurvedic practitioner in Moga, found himself embroiled in a battle against this modern-day monster. His journey began with a personal struggle—a series of unexplained ailments that plagued his body, disrupting his peace and vitality. Despite ample rest, he found himself restless, perpetually seeking solace in stimulants like chai or coffee. He noticed his eyes would constantly be dry and inflamed because of a mysterious reason. Besides, he experienced periods of recurrent headaches and even bouts of vertigo at times.
A chance encounter with an article on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) piqued Dr. Chalana's curiosity, leading him down a path of discovery. His suspicions turned to the cell phone tower stationed right in front of his residence. With research, he unraveled the intricate web of adverse health effects associated with prolonged exposure to EMFs emitted by such towers.
Dr. Chalana's findings were not merely theoretical but rooted in the stark realities of his community. Numerous cases emerged, each serving as a testament to the pernicious influence of the cell phone tower:
- A neighbour succumbed to a brain tumour, residing in close proximity to the tower. The tragic loss underscored the potential correlation between radiation exposure and grave health consequences.
- Another neighbour grappled with a persistent scalp condition, with doctors from DMC, Ludhiana attributing the ailment to radiation exposure. The prognosis was stark—relocation was the only viable solution for a chance at permanent relief.
- One of Dr. Chalana's patients battled epilepsy, their seizures escalating despite medical intervention. However, the epileptic seizures were brought under control with medication when the patient shifted residences, leading to a remarkable improvement in their condition.
- Numerous individuals residing near the tower reported chronic headaches and irritable temper issues, indicative of the pervasive impact of EMF radiation on mental well-being.
Evidences reveal that radiation from cell phone towers also causes cancer. “Being exposed to a mobile tower located within 50m of your home or work place like being in a microwave oven for 24 hours”, said Professor Girish Kumar, department of electrical engineering, IIIT Bombay, in his report on cell phone tower radiation that he submitted to the Department of telecommunications in December 2010.
According to Kumar, the most common biological effects of EMFs include sleep disruption, headaches, forgetful memory, buzzing in the head, dizziness, palpitations of the heart among other cardiovascular issues. Kumar states that “many of these are related to changes in the electrical activity of the brain.”
Girish Kumar has also mentioned about SAR and cell phone use time limit in his report. “In USA, maximum SAR limit for cellphones is 1.6W/kg which is for 6 minutes. it has a safety margin of 3 to 4, so a person should not use cell phone for more than 18 to 24 minutes per day. This information is not given to people in India”, writes Kumar.
The WHO’s International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
According to National Institutes of health (NIH), exposure to EMFs has been observed to increase the production of free radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species, ROS). “Living organisms have anti-oxidative mechanisms, such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in order to alleviate the damage caused by ROS and their products. In this case, antioxidant defence mechanisms are impaired by being subjected to an agent that causes overproduction of ROS, including EMF, thus resulting in oxidative stress. Studies in recent years have reported that free radicals play a major role in the mechanism behind many diseases, such as diabetes and cancer”, as per the experts.
Despite his findings, Dr. Chalana’s campaign against the tower was met with resistance. In a bid to safeguard the well-being of his community, Dr. Chalana petitioned the local authorities, citing the potential hazards posed by the tower's radiation. Yet, his attempt to rid the community from the tower was unsuccessful as the industry remains in denial, calling the studies inconclusive.
Dr. Chalana’s situation shows why there is a need for informed discourse and proactive measures to mitigate the harmful effects of unchecked technological advancement. Dr. Chalana's unwavering resolve serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring us to confront the challenges that threaten our well-being. It is time to confront the invisible threat looming over our communities and pave the way for a safer, healthier future.