Telco towers posing ‘health risks’ to public

GEORGE TOWN: The state government is urged to reconsider allowing 4G network transmission towers to be placed near schools and residential areas.
The Penang Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Radiation Protection Association said 25 such towers have been built in Jelutong, Tanjong Bungah and Butterworth since last year.
EMF secretary Ong Bee Lay claimed the towers posed a health hazard due to the electromagnetic radiation.
She urged that such facilities be constructed in sparsely populated places instead to reduce the health risks.
"All radio frequency installations should not be placed near schools, kindergartens, hospitals, residences and places of leisure," she said at a press conference here today.
The nine-metre high structures are believed to be transmitters for the 1BestariNet project by the Education Ministry to provide high-speed wireless internet for schools.
Ong also urged schools to be aware of the risks such transmitters posed and called for more awareness among educators.
She handed over a memorandum with 250 signatures on the matter to Penang Island Municipal Council senior architect Danny Koay Hock Hsiang representing state Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
"This is the first time that we have received a complaint from the residents here in Lebuhraya Jelutong and the council will look into the matter," Koay said.
She claimed the towers posed a health hazard to people due to the electromagnetic radiation.