MANILA, Philippines --- A group of doctors yesterday warned against exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by telecommunication and radio towers that are near condominiums and residential buildings.

“For most of the range of RFR the skin does not easily detect the heating caused by these fields. Workers can therefore absorb significant amounts of RFR without being aware of any leakage fields,” Philippine Medical Association (PMA) Vice President and Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) spokesman Dr. Leo Olarte said in a statement.

The expert said RFR causes cancer and other serious illnesses that were seen among subjects that fell ill because of excessive heating of internal tissues.

The illnesses that may result from RFR are brain cancer, blindness, reproductive disorders, neurologic disorders, immune system dysfunction, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity reaction.

The doctors issued the statement as a reaction to the construction of high-rise residential and commercial buildings near telecommunication and radio towers that emit large amounts of RFR.

Olarte said some people report of experiencing a “warming sensation” after being exposed to RFR at home or at work. He said studies said calculations show that maximal temperature rises may be about 0.03 degrees Celcius.

“Acute high dose exposures to RFR can also cause eye injuries. The cornea and crystalline lens are particularly susceptible to frequency in the 1-300 GHz range and formation of lesions in the retina is also possible,” Olarte added.

There is no documented case of RFR in the Philippines yet but the doctors will soon collect medical cases arising from exposure to it.