The Biobrio 10(3 & 4), 2023

Effect of electromagnetic radiation on the house sparrow Passer domesticus: State-of-Art review

Ishita Bhattacharya & Sonam Bharti

ABSTRACT:

In the contemporary era, the cell phones are an integral and indispensable appliance to the human civilization. However, according to some research investigations cell tower antennas with CDMA technology transmit electromagnetic field and radiations in the frequency range of 869-894MHz and those with GSM 900 and GSM 1800 technology transmit electromagnetic radiation with a frequency range of 935-960MHz and 1810-1880MHz respectively. Unfortunately, the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has a negative impact on several animal species including human. But EMR released from the cell tower masts have mortal effect on the bats, bees, birds etc. as reported in scientific researches.. The present study is focused to a detailed review on the effect of EMR on the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). House sparrow is a small bird of length 14- 16 cm and prefers to build its nest near urban settlements or farms. During last few decades with the increase in the number of cell phone towers, the populations of house sparrow are significantly declining across the globe. And presently, they are sighted rarely and are declining at an alarming rate. House sparrow has been listed as an endangered species in 2012. According to the researchers, there are many reasons for the disappearance of this bird, such as use of unleaded petrol, EMR from cell tower masts, pesticides and urbanization that resulted in the lack of habitat. In a research article it has been proposed that the radiations that are emitted from the base stations usually cause irritation among the birds causing them to change their habitat far off places where the radiation intensity is nil or low. The mortality noticed in the house sparrow probably can be acclaimed to behavioral changes followed by loss of determination of communication signals and direction and ultimately, affecting the central nervous system to its extreme. Thus, it can be concluded from the study that along with elucidating the effect of EMR on the disappearance of the sparrows some path breaking researches should also be designed with the purpose to develop new technologies in telecommunication industry, thus making the earth safer and eco-friendly for all the lives created by the Almighty.

Keywords:    

Passer domesticus; Electromagnetic radiation; Cell-tower masts

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