Environics Plans Big In Anti-Radiation

Syenergy Environics, a Delhi-based radiation management solution company, plans to expand its footprint by introducing new chipsets for handheld devices to reduce the harmful effects of radiation. It currently provides anti-radiation chip solutions for homes and workspaces.

These products detect the effects of radiation by placing chips at specific locations and reduce the harmful effects of the Earth's magnetic field. The process involves analyzing the site by using scientific instruments such as Lecher Antenna, which can detect and measure a wide range of radiations around us.

Environics has clients like Hindustan Petroleum, British Petroleum, Indian Oil, GMR, and the Taj Group of Hotels, and is eying a revenue of INR 5 crore by the end of year.

Environics is now focused on introducing radiation protection products for computers and mobile phones. It believes this new focus will drive major revenues for the company. "The Indian handset market is witnessing a huge boom. At present, around 49 million units are being shipped almost every quarter. The addressable market size could be anywhere between 15-20 percent of the users who use handsets. We certainly believe in capturing a major market share by 2015," says Pranav Poddar, Director, Syenergy Environics.

Enviro Chip, a new chip-based product, claims to reduce the hazardous effects of radiation emanating from the device it is fixed on. It is sold at INR 350 (US$6.12), and Environics plans to launch more such products this year.

"What we need to understand is that mobile phones and computers emit microwave radiations. Microwave radiations have thermal and non-thermal effects. There is conclusive evidence that microwave radiation damages blood vessels in the brain which loses some of its protection from the normal blood-brain barrier," adds Poddar.

However, harmful effects of radiation has been a controversial subject for experts. Many reports, largely done by independent research agencies and experts, suggest that excessive use of cellphone can cause cancer and damage brain cells in the long run. Many government agencies do not agree with this and would like to see more conclusive evidence.

"There is no global body which has looked at radiation at a micro level. India doesn't even have a norm for nuclear radiation, forget about mobile radiation," adds Poddar.

In a research done previously with Max Hospital, Environics was able to identify ways through which these chips neutralize health hazards caused by radiation waves.

Device manufacturers, on the other hand, have completely discarded the idea of collaborating with companies like Environics because this can prove that using their devices causes ill-effects.

In her book, Disconnect. the environmentalist Devra Davis says that the industry has successfully kept the dangers of using mobile phones a secret. And it will take years to understand the health impact of using the cellphones.

In many advanced countries, it is mandatory to specify the maximum permissible SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), which mobile phone manufacturers have to adhere to. They also have to mention it on the packaging of the handsets. In India, Department of Telecommunications has directed indigenous manufacturers to display the SAR value on mobile handsets on or before September 1, 2012.

Environics is not the only company competing in this domain. There are also many smaller players who retail their products through e-commerce sites in India.

Jatinder Singh, Principal Correspondent, Light Reading India