New mobile app to address health concerns on telecoms equipment …Telcos want experts to ascertain health impacts of base stations

This is even as telecommunications service providers called for an independent research and development (R&D) in Nigeria to ascertain the impacts of exposure to base stations and other telecoms equipment.The new app provides a guide to electromagnetic fields (EMF) which have raised public health concerns as mobile network infrastructure expands. The mobile app, EMF Guide, […]

This is even as telecommunications service providers called for an independent research and development (R&D) in Nigeria to ascertain the impacts of exposure to base stations and other telecoms equipment.
The new app provides a guide to electromagnetic fields (EMF) which have raised public health concerns as mobile network infrastructure expands.
The mobile app, EMF Guide, was launched at an ITU Forum on Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields in Kochi, India, last week, according to a statement from ITU.
The new app, especially developed by experts working in ITU-T Study Group 5  for smart phones, tablets and desktops, offers an introduction to EMF and their relationship with health, as well as the various internationally agreed guidelines and standards designed to ensure safety in the use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies. A version will be available on app stores in 2015.
“The application of technical best practices and standards to safeguard public health must be matched by communication with the public to increase the transparency of regulators and operators’ actions in this domain,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré in a message. “The launch of this new mobile app will be effective in increasing public understanding of EMF, and help address citizens’ concerns.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said in Lagos at the second edition of West African Conference on Magnetic Fields Exposure and Health organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that ýthere has been global studies proven no harmful effects of exposing to telecoms mast but there is need for local research that will reflect the peculiarity of Nigerian environment to determine that.
He called for a policy direction and guidelines on the proper disposals of unused information and communications technology gadgets.
The minister of communication technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson said agitation and concerns continue to surface on the safety and health implications of telecommunications equipment.
She explained that widespread nature of mobile telephony with the equipment and infrastructure that make it possible for people to communicate calls for this concern.
The minister who was represented by the Director of Planning and Research, Oluwole Edun said given the large number of mobile phone users, it is imperative to investigate, understand and monitor any potential public health impact.
Also, the Executive Visa Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah said the conference is important owing to the continuous growth the industry is witnessing and the need to deploy more base stations for enhanced quality of service.
The EVC represented by the NCC Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska said with the  total number of 134 million connected lines and a teledensity of 96 per cent, Nigeria has only about 29,000 base stations (BTS) for both GSM and CDMA service providers as against estimated national requirement of about 70,000-80,000 BTS.