KARACHI, April 5: The Environment Protection Department will issue notices to mobile phone companies on installing cellphone towers in residential areas, besides taking measures to check this trend, said Sindh Environment and Alternative Energy Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed.

Presiding over a meeting of the Environment Protection Department on Thursday, he said the emission of electromagnetic waves from these towers was not only affecting the health of area residents but also worsening the air pollution.

“It is mandatory to shift these towers, which are harmful for human life and health, from thickly populated areas,” he said and urged the department to raise awareness in the public about taking precautionary measures in this regard.

The minister noted that mobile phone companies had concealed hazards of harmful radio waves emission from the towers from residents of buildings where these towers were installed.

He said the ICNRP had issued guidelines, and public health could be saved on compliance of these instructions.

Dr Ahmed warned that if mobile-phone towers were not shifted from residential areas, the government would not only take legal action but also impose heavy fines on the companies concerned. He directed officials of the department to take measures in this regard and launch a campaign to raise awareness among the masses. — PPI