GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it has tapped medical experts to address fears of cancer risk from mobile phone use and proximity to cell towers, which it cited as a factor in delaying the construction of cell sites.
In a statement on Thursday, Globe cited Philippine Radiology Oncology Society (PROS) Vice-President Johanna Cañal said that based on studies conducted overseas, there are “no adverse health effects” from cellphones or cell towers radiation.
“(T)here has been no proven causality between cellphone use and cancer induction. What does the US FDA say about this? In 2018, the current safety limit is set to include a 50-fold safety margin from observed effect on radiation. How about cell towers and base stations? The American Cancer Society says at ground level, near typical base stations, the amount of RF energy is thousands of times less than the limits for safe exposure,” she said.
Citing data from the World Health Organization, Globe reported that cellphones give off low levels of radio frequency, categorized by WHO as RF Classification 2B.
Globe Director for Technology Strategy & Service Integration Gerhard P. Tan said he hopes the campaign will aid in the establishment of more cell sites amid resistance from home owners associations (HOAs).
“We are urging everyone who are here to spread awareness that RF electromagnetic radiation coming from cell sites is not cancerous. Debunking this health myth will help us hasten the build of more cell sites in the Philippines, which in effect, will bring the country closer to first world internet connectivity,” he said in a statement. — Gillian M. Cortez
