Effect of RF and
Microwave Radiation on
Human Body
Prof. Girish Kumar
IIT Bombay
Tel: (022) 2576 7436
gkumar@ee.iitb.ac.in
prof.gkumar@gmail.com
Outline of Presentation
RF Sources
Microwave Heating Principle
Radiation Pattern of Antenna
EMF Exposure Safety Norms
Radiation Measurements
Review Biological Effects
Solutions
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
FM TOWER
PT=10KW 503 TOWERS
(88-108MHz)
TV TOWER
PT=40KW 1044 TOWERS
(180-220MHz)
AM TOWER
PT=100 KW 197 TOWERS
(530-1620KHz)
RF
SOURCES Wi-Fi PT=10- Wi-Fi HOT
IN INDIA (2.4 - 2.5 GHz) 1000mW SPOTS
CELL TOWER
(800,900,1800, 6+ LAKH
PT=20 W
2100, 2300 TOWERS
MHz)
GSM900 - 2 W
MOBILE 100+ CRORES
PHONES GSM1800, 3G -
1W
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Radar Systems – Pulsed and Continuous
High Power Microwave Sources
HF, VHF, UHF, and Microwave Transmitters
Microwave Bomb
Microwave Weapon
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Microwave radiation causes vibration in the water molecules,
which leads to friction and heating. The radiation effects are
classified as:
• Non-thermal
• Thermal
Current exposure safety standards are based on the thermal effects,
which are inadequate.
Non-thermal effects are several times more harmful than thermal
effects.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Sun Heating vs Microwave Heating
Outside to inside Inside to outside
heating heating
Skin heating Internal heating
Sweating happens Heat trapped
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Cell Phone - Ear Warming?
Have you ever noticed warm
sensation in ear after using mobile
phone for a long time?
Temp. of ear lobes increases by 10C when
cell phone is used for approx. 20 minutes.
Warm sensation pain irreversible hearing loss
and/or Ear Tumor
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
SAR and Cell Phone Use Time Limit
A cell phone transmits
1 to 2 watts of power
SAR (Specific absorption rate) - Rate at which radiation is absorbed by
human body, measured in watts per kg (W/kg).
In USA, max. SAR limit for cell phones 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.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
iPhone 7 RF Exposure information
http://www.apple.com/legal/rfexposure/iphone9,1/en/
The highest SAR values of Models A1660, A1780 are:
1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) SAR Limit
Head: 1.19, Body: 1.20
To reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as built-in
speakerphone, the supplied headphones, or other similar accessories.
Carry iPhone at least 5mm away from your body to ensure exposure
levels remain at or below the as-tested levels.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Results of Re-evaluation of Interphone Study
INTERPHONE – WHO -10 years, 13 countries, largest (5,117 brain
tumor cases), $25 million dollars to evaluate risk on brain tumors.
Report in May 2010
Conclusion - no overall ↑ risk, but suggestions of ↑ glioma - heavy
users & ipsilateral exposures
Heavy users (1/2 hour/day) over 8 to 10 years:
Doubled - quadrupled brain tumor risk
Children, young adults – excluded.
For children, new study - Mobi-kids
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
WHO: Cell Phones can Increase Cancer Risk
International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC), a part of WHO designates cell phones
as “Possible Human Carcinogen” [Class 2B]
Found evidence of increase in glioma and
acoustic neuroma brain cancer for mobile phone
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Risk to Children
Children are more vulnerable as:
• Skulls are smaller & thinner - ↑’s radiation absorption
• ↑rate of Cell division - more susceptible to genetic damage
• Myelin sheath not developed - Electrical brain-wave activity
• Immune system not well developed - less effective against
fighting cancer growth
RF penetration in the skull of an adult (25%), 10 year (50%) and 5 year old (75%)
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Malignant Brain Tumor vs. Cumulative Use
9500 hours = 4 hours use
for 6.5 years
Odd Ratio for Children =
3.5 (350% increase)
In 8 to 10 years,
Malignant Brain Tumor
may increase by 400%
L. Hardell, M. Carlberg, Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk for glioma – Analysis of
pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997–2003 and 2007–2009, Pathophysiology (Oct. 2014)
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Brain Tumor among children on the rise in India
THE ASIAN AGE: July 10, 2017
According to a study in 2016, every year 40,000-50,000 persons are
diagnosed with brain tumour in India, out of which 20 per cent are children.
The study showed a drastic increase in the cases of brain tumour in children
post 2015. Doctors said that this could be attributed to long-term mobile use.
“There is a lot of literature that establishes a link between mobile radiation
and brain tumour. Mobile phones emit radiation from their antennas and kids
are at high risk as they possess soft tissues near the ear. It is advisable for
children, adolescents, and also pregnant women, to use headphones while on
call or use the speaker,” said Dr P.K. Sethi, professor and consultant of the
neurology department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
SUGGESTED
SOLUTIONS
‘Are cell phones injurious
to your health’ by
Prof. Girish Kumar
Sep. 2011
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Cell Tower Antenna Radiation
Antennas on cell tower transmit in the frequency range of:
• 869 - 890 MHz (CDMA)
• 935 - 960 MHz (GSM900)
• 1805 – 1880 MHz (GSM1800)
• 2110 – 2170 MHz (3G)
• 2300 – 2400 MHz (4G)
• 2400 – 2500 MHz (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
http://www.wifiinschools.com/
This website is dedicated to help the public realize that wireless internet, or
WiFi, emits radiation that causes a myriad of serious health effects,
including damage to DNA, cancer, and infertility.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Cell Towers Installed in Mumbai
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Radiation Pattern of Antenna
Main beam is narrow with
Beam is wide
secondary side lobes
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Radiation Pattern of Cell Tower Antenna
Power density varies by 1/R², where R = Distance from tower
Primary Lobe
Very High High Medium Low
Secondary Lobes
People living within 50 to 300 meter radius are in
the high radiation zone (dark blue) and are more
prone to ill-effects of electromagnetic radiation
People living at < 50m are in extremely high radiation zone
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
CASE STUDY Usha Kiran Building, Worli, Mumbai
Usha Kiran Building
Six cancer cases in consecutive floors (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th) directly facing
and at similar height as the mobile phone towers of four telecom companies placed
on the roof of opposite building.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
EMF Radiation Standards for GSM900
Country Milliwatt / m² Watt / m²
INDIA (adopted ICNIRP) 4500 4.5 (f/200)
INDIA (Adopted 1/10th of ICNIRP on Sep. 1, 2012) 450 0.45 (f/2000)
AUSTRALIA (New South Wales proposed) 0.01 0.00001
AUSTRIA (Salzburg city) 1 0.001
BELGIUM 45 to 1125 0.045 to 1.125
BELGIUM (Luxembourg) 24 0.024
BIO-INITIATIVE REPORT (Outdoor) 1 0.001
BIO-INITIATIVE REPORT (Indoor) 0.1 0.0001
CANADA (Toronto Board of Health - proposed) 100 0.1
CHINA 400 0.4
FRANCE (Paris) 100 0.1
GERMANY (ECOLOG 1998 - Precautionary Recommendation) 90 0.09
GERMANY (BUND 2007 - Precautionary Recommendation) 0.1 0.0001
ITALY 100 0.1 *USA - FCC
NEW ZELAND (Aukland) 500 0.5
POLAND 100 0.1
Guidelines
RUSSIA 100 0.1 OET56:
SWITZERLAND (Apartments, Schools, Hospitals, Offices & Playgrounds) 42 0.042 Power
USA (Implementation is strict)* 3000 3 (f/300) transmitted is
Final Recommendations
0.5 to 1 W
Indoor - include apartments, schools, hospitals, offices & playgrounds. 0.1 0.0001
Outdoor - where people spend few minutes a day. 10 0.01 in the Urban Area
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Guidelines of Austrian Medical Association
Adopted on 3rd March 2012 in Vienna
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Radiation Measurement at Various Locations
Cumulative Readings including CDMA, GSM 900 and GSM 1800
Reading in Readings in Readings in
Location dBm W/m2 milliW/m2
Terrace, New Rajindra Nagar, Delhi +09 0.561 561
Resident 1, Bedroom - Chowpatty +06 0.281 281
Resident 2, Bedrooms - Opera House +05 0.223 223
Resident 3, Bedroom – ML Dahanukar Marg +05 0.223 223
Delhi-Gurgaon Highway - near Toll (3 towers) 0 0.0706 70
Vashi Bridge - after Railway Station -4 0.0282 28
Resident 3, 4th Fl: Sergean House Lady w/cancer -6 0.0177 17.7
Resident 4, Dadar East, Lady w/cancer -6 0.0177 17.7
Resident 5, Opposite roof, Rane Society, Powai -10 0.007 7
Ustav Chowk, Kharghar -12 0.0045 4.5
Govandi- Residential towers - near Indian Oil -14 0.0028 2.8
Lower Parel Employees-headaches, forgetfulness -16 0.0018 1.8
Vashi Highway – near Turbhe -18 0.0011 1.1
Nerul Bridge -20 0.0007 0.7
Vivero pre School (opposite powai lake) -22 0.0004 0.4
Rajeev Gandhi nagar -26 0.00018 0.18
On road near Evita (Hiranandani Building) -28 0.00011 0.11
D-Mart,Hiranandani, Powai -34 0.000028 0.028
IIT Bombay School of Management - Entrance -46 0.0000018 0.0018
Health Concerns with Current Safety Guidelines
Data from
Firstenberg 2001.
Diagram was
prepared by Dr.
Magda Havas, Trent
University, Canada
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Biological Effects
Most Common Complaints
•Sleep disruption •Dizziness
•Headache •Palpitations of the Heart
•Concentration •Visual Disorders
•Forgetful memory •Cardiovascular Problems
•Depression •Buzzing in the Head
•Fatigue •Altered Reflexes
Many of these are related to changes in the
electrical activity of the brain
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Biological Effects (contd.)
Neurodegenerative Disorders –Alzheimer, Parkinson's
Immune System Degradation
Tinnitus and Ear Damage
Irreversible Infertility
Effect on Skin
DNA Damage
Increase in Cancer Risk
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
DNA Damage
Single and double strand breaks observed in DNA from
microwave exposure at levels below the current FCC
exposure standard.
Prof. Henry Lai
University of Washington
1995, Diem et al. 2005
When Damage to DNA > Rate of DNA repaired, there is possibility
of retaining mutations and initiating cancer
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
NEWS COVERAGE in HT – 07 JAN. 2013
BIO-INITIATVE REPORT 2012
Prepared by 29 Researchers from 10 Countries
Gave references of 1800 research papers
Bio-initiative Report 2007 gave additional references of 2000 papers
Strong evidence on health effects
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Effect of Cell Towers (Global References)
8 times increased cancer risk for Risk is higher after 6-10
exposure > 1000µW/m2 = 1 mW/m2 years of exposure
http://www.getmefacts.info/files/emfposter.pdf updated on 11Sep. 2011
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Naval Medical Research Institute - USA
Naval Medical Research Institute – USA Report dated 4th
Oct. 1971 acknowledges biological effects and has given
2000+ references. Under categories A to Q, they have
given more than 130 types of health hazards.
It includes the effects on whole body, brain, eyes,
head, blood, heart, infertility, Hair Loss, Mutation,
and so on…
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
NEWS COVERAGE in MUMBAi
DNA, Mumbai - 22 April 2013
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
News Coverage in Jaipur
Dec. 2011 11 May 2012
Seven cancer
cases in C-
Scheme – Jaipur
City
Six cancer cases
in Shalimar Bagh
– Jaipur City
If mobile towers were safe.. What is
the mystery behind their illness?
Measured
levels from 10
to 50 mW/m2
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
25,000 Brain Tumours Diagnosed in Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana
Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad – 9 June 2014
Over 25,000 primary brain tumours are diagnosed every year in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Of these,
about 7 per 1 lakh population are found to be malignant tumors, while about 13 are non-malignant ones.
Dr B.S. Shiva Reddy, neurosurgeon at Mediciti Hospital, said, “There are 120 types of brain and central
nervous system tumours. The least aggressive type of tumours grow slowly while the malignant tumours,
containing cancer cells, grow rapidly invading other body systems.”
Exposure to ionising radiation from therapeutic and diagnostic medical procedures, atmospheric testing of
nuclear weapons, industrial accidents and heavy use of mobile phones also increases the risk of gliomas – a
type of brain tumour.
Neurosurgeon Dr Rama Krishna said, “There is too much of a dispute on the claim that the use of mobile
phones will cause tumours. But it is clear that excessive usage of mobile phones does lead to frequent
headaches in a section of people. Children below 16 years must not be given phones for use as their body
systems are still developing and it can cause early damage.”
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Effect on Birds and Animals
Have you ever seen any bird near cell towers?
May be not, because birds have more volume
and less weight, so heating effect is very fast.
Birds and Bees
• Interfere with navigation and reproduction
Animals
•Dairy cows – Decreased milk production, reproductive and
developmental problems and decline in overall health.
•Sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits living near base stations affected.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Effect on Plants
4 Cell Towers near Gurgaon-
Delhi Toll Naka
In the nearby Farm House,
output of most of fruit bearing
trees drastically reduced from
100% to < 5% after 2.5 years
of cell tower installation.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Environment Ministry - Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife
Including Birds and Bees (Nov. 2011)
Out of 919 research studies collected:
593 - report Impact; 130 - No Impact; 196 - Inconclusive
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
Scientists Recommend - RF Fields should be classified as
“Class 2A” or even “Class 1”
According to Dr. Anthony Miller, who was on the IARC committee, the accumulated
evidence is now strong enough to suggest RF fields really should be classified as
Class 2A (probable carcinogen).
In Dec. 2013, Hardell group from Sweden showed that the evidence available suggests
that RF-EMF exposure from mobile (and cordless) phones should be regarded as
Class 1 "human carcinogen".
Alasdair Philips of Powerwatch (U.K.) says, “The criteria on strength, consistency,
specificity, temporality, and biologic gradient for evidence of increased risk for glioma
and acoustic neuroma were fulfilled.”
In April 2014, it was reported that "Health risk from Wi-Fi devices rising". It stated
that “Epidemiological evidence shows that radio frequency should be classified as a
known human carcinogen.”
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
• Convince DOT to reduce the norm immediately to <10mW/m2
• Cellular Operators should reduce transmitted power from
20W/carrier to max. 1 -2 W in densely populated area.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT?
Remove the power amplifier or reduce gain of amplifier.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
Power requirement will
Cooling of amplifier will reduce: may not need Diesel Operators can claim
not be required: may not Generator. carbon credit. Leads
need Air conditioner Solar panel can meet this to Green Telecom
requirement
You can see: TRAI-Green-Telecom-Openhouse-GK Report
DISADVANTAGES OF REDUCING POWER:
It will cost
Range will Install more low power transmitters
reduce or low power repeaters MORE
MONEY!
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
CONCLUSIONS
There is RF radiation from cell phones, cell towers, computers,
laptops, AM, FM, and TV towers, leakage from microwave oven, Wi-Fi,
Radars, etc., which are additive.
In addition, there is radiation from overhead high voltage transmission
lines, which has been classified by WHO as Class 2B (Possible
Carcinogen) in 2002.
The awareness must be created among the people. People should
unite to convince Govt. of India to adopt stricter radiation norms.
Microwave Theory and Techniques | Prof. Girish Kumar, IIT Bombay
