133 ISO 14001-certified sites serving as workplaces for over half of all NTT employeesWorking on environmental risk management, including dealing with asbestos, PCBs, and other hazardous materialsPromoting ISO 14001 environmental management
The NTT Group makes every effort to implement effective environmental
management capable of responding to the specific
circumstances that exist at each and every facility operated
by our group companies. Between 1997 and fiscal 2005, 133
of our sites were certified as compliant with ISO 14001 environmental
management standards.
As of fiscal 2004, 50.2% of all employees at NTT Group companies worked at ISO 14001-compliant sites, and that figure increased to 51.6% by fiscal
2005. We are committed to the further pursuit of ISO 14001 certification and other measures to promote effective environmental management.
Environmental risk management
As a responsible corporate citizen, the NTT Group undertakes
various measures to minimize any potential threat to society
posed by risks such as environmental accidents and pollution.
Activities performed periodically and systematically according
to established guidelines and checklists as a part of this commitment
include soil and water surveys, chemical management,
and removal and storage of items using PCBs. We are also
continuing our research into the effects of electromagnetic
waves generated by mobile phones on the human body.
Despite these efforts, in fiscal 2005 hazardous substances were
detected at certain NTT premises at a level that exceeds the
maximum level permissible under law. In all instances, appropriate
measures were taken under the guidance of local authorities
to achieve compliance with the law and ensure that
there was no impact on surrounding areas.
The NTT Group will continue in its efforts to prevent environmental
accidents and pollution through practicing effective environmental risk management.
Initiatives
Asbestos survey
The NTT Group has been promoting the removal of asbestos
-especially sprayed asbestos -at NTT facilities
since 1985. Following the enactment in 2005 of the Ordinance
on Prevention of Hazards Due to Asbestos, we carried
out a new survey that revealed the existence of materials
containing asbestos in some NTT facilities, and we
are currently taking appropriate measures as stipulated by
law.
Ensuring the safety of mobile phone radio waves
NTT DoCoMo's mobile phone base stations are licensed as radio stations by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications when they are established, and after the start of operations, radio wave quality is monitored through equipment maintenance and other measures to ensure that technical requirements are met. These base stations are inspected every five years for licenses renewal.
Mobile phone handsets too are sold after being verified for compliance with technical standards designated by the authorities, and thus meet the permissible localized SAR value for mobile phones according to government regulations regarding radio wave radiation protection. NTT DoCoMo also conducts research on the effect of radio waves on living organisms, and findings so far show that radio waves from handsets and base stations have no adverse effects on human cells. NTT DoCoMo will strive to maintain a communications environment that its customers can use with confidence through continuing these research activities.
(right) NTT DoCoMo handsets comply with government technical standards.
