The queer case of communicating risks associated with use of mobile phones and neighborhood mobile towers: Are people contracting more brain cancers?

Abstract

The phenomenal growth in mobile phone services along with unbridled mushrooming of base stations and antennae caused health concerns across the whole country. There were concerns that cell phone radiation exposure to brain may induce cancer in the tissue. Invariably, in public perception, radiation and cancer are closely linked. The fact that cell tower/phone radiation has a million times lower energy than X-rays and gamma rays that can make structural changes in cells in the human body was not appreciated by the public. Government's prescription of radiation standards that are ten times lower than the level recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection led to more concerns because some vendors who sold radio-protective accessories demanded still lower values. Only specialists could appreciate the methods of arriving at conservative recommendations in the face of conflicting views. However, seemingly different views among specialists fanned the fire. The spread of scary information through Internet and television interviews was not helpful. Often people sought and obtained information from sources other than responsible agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Government agencies attempted to clear the air, but those efforts were drops in the ocean. Few commercially interested individuals with academic credentials spread disinformation. They misinterpreted radiation standards, organised seminars, published blogs and newsletters and offered interviews always highlighting one-sided opinions. Risk communication in this context must include collecting accurate scientific data and conclusions from agencies such as the WHO and interpreting them transparently by including all stakeholders as partners in the dialogue. Risk communicators should declare conflict of interest, if any. They must keep themselves up to date with all developments.