Is 5G bad for your health? It’s complicated, say researchers
This article was published on Horizon – The EU Research and Innovation Magazine on 7 October 2019
The radiation emitted by 5G will largely be the same as previous networks, except that it will be exposing us to something called milimetre waves for the first time.
The fifth generation of mobile internet is fast approaching.
Countries such as Switzerland, the UK and Germany are already rolling out next generation networks. 5G is projected to be 100 times faster than 4G and would allow new technologies such as connected cars and augmented reality to flourish. But despite the big promises, concerns about its potential health effects are also growing.
In September 2017, doctors and scientists launched the 5G Appeal, a petition which calls for the EU to impose a moratorium on 5G rollout, citing imminent health dangers like increased cancer risks, cellular stress and genetic damage. The petition now has more than 250 signatories. In March this year, then Brussels minister of environment Céline Fremault blocked a 5G rollout saying she wouldn’t turn the city’s inhabitants into ‘laboratory mice’. In Bern, Switzerland, a protest in May led some administrative areas to block the construction of 5G antennas.
So how different is 5G and could it impact our health? The reality, experts say, is complex. Continue reading the article
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The EU Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) consider the potential effects on wildlife of increases in electromagnetic radiation as an emerging issue. In their “Statement on emerging health and environmental issues” (2018) they state that “On the horizon, a new generation of even shorter high frequency 5G wavelengths is being proposed to power the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT promises us convenient and easy lifestyles with a massive 5G interconnected telecommunications network. However, the expansion of broadband with shorter wavelength radiofrequency radiation highlights
the concern that health and safety issues remain unknown. Controversy continues with regard to harm from current 2G, 3G and 4G wireless technologies. 5G technologies are far less studied for human or environmental effects
This concern is more related to the change to 5G rather than a completely new concern. The effects of electromagnetic radiation have been generally well studied, however low frequency electromagnetic radiation is less well studied, hence the justification for introducing this an emerging issue.
5G networks will soon be rolled out for mobile phone and smart device users. How exposure to electromagnetic fields could affect humans remains a controversial area, and studies have not yielded clear evidence of the impact on mammals, birds or insects. The lack of clear evidence to inform the development of exposure guidelines to 5G technology leaves open the possibility of unintended biological consequences.” (pg 14)
References listed in the SCHEER statement:
Preparing for 5G in New Zealand Discussion Document, March 2018
Aertsa S., Wiart J., Martens L., Joseph W. (2017). Assessment of long-term spatio-temporal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure. Environmental Research 161, 136-143. Doi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.11.003.
Pall M.L. (2018). Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health. Environmental Research 164, 405-16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035
Di Ciaula A. (2018), Towards 5G communication systems: Are there health implications? International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 221 (3), 367-75. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.01.011.
Russell C.L. (2018), 5G wireless telecommunications expansion: Public health and environmental implications. Environmental Research 165, 484-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.016.
Further reading:
International Appeal: Stop 5G on Earth and in Space
Public consultation comments on the ICNIRP RF Guidelines 2018 07 11 by prof. Martin L. Pall, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University
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