What is 5G technology and what are its potential effects on human health, the environment, and privacy?

New emerging technology 5G will require higher speed, power and capacity in data transmission than previous generation, in order to obtain a complete world-wireless communication without limitation. In this scenario, given that the achievement of 5G technology will lead to a drastic increase of effects of exposure to microwave radiation, a strategy to reduce the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields is needed. In this regard, given that cellular functions of human beings depend closely on ions flux across cellular membrane, whose mechanism should have its natural resonant frequencies, we can hypothesize to plan new emerging wireless technology 5G at frequencies far from these resonant frequencies in order to minimize the effects of exposure to extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields, inducing a significant decreasing of harmful effects on human health. We have named these frequencies “non-resonant frequencies”.

The advent of 5G technology has brought about significant advancements in wireless communication, promising faster data transfer rates and lower latency. However, amidst the excitement surrounding its implementation, concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects associated with this technology. This research paper explores the adverse effects of 5G in the modern world, focusing on its impact on human health, the environment, and privacy. Through an analysis of scientific studies and expert opinions, the paper uncovers the potential risks associated with prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation, the deployment of a large number of small cell antennas, and the potential exploitation of personal data. Furthermore, this paper presents potential solutions to mitigate these adverse effects, such as adopting stricter safety standards, promoting public awareness, and exploring alternative wireless technologies. By comprehensively examining the drawbacks of 5G and proposing measures to address them, this research aims to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public about the risks involved and the need for responsible deployment of 5G technology.

Summary. Introduction: Today, the growing human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is of serious concern to the population and the international scientific community. Sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in residential areas include mobile radio base stations, signal repeaters, wireless broadband access points, TV and radio transmitters, satellite earth stations, radar and radio relay stations. Launching of 5G mobile networks will further complicate the electromagnetic situation in inhabited areas, especially in megacities where the size of exposed population is the largest. In the system of measures contributing to protection of the population from adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields, standards (regulations and other documents establishing electromagnetic fields permissible levels) play a significant role and lay the foundation for organizational and technical measures of protection. High importance of standards in ensuring electromagnetic safety served as the basis for our study. The objective of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields standards for inhabited areas and approaches to setting electromagnetic fields exposure levels adopted by different countries and international organizations. Methods: We reviewed of some aspects of biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, regulations setting electromagnetic fields exposure limits in different countries and recommended by ICNIRP, and approaches to establishing those limits. Conclusions: We found a significant discrepancy in radiofrequency electromagnetic fields limits adopted in different countries, the legal status and scope of regulatory documents. Differences in the methodology for the development, adoption and approval of electromagnetic fields standard accompanied by differences in their legal status prevent uniform EMF standard setting.

The popularity, widespread use and increasing dependency on wireless technologies has spawned a telecommunications industrial revolution with increasing public exposure to broader and higher frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit data through a variety of devices and infrastructure. 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 regards to harm from current 2G, 3G and 4G wireless technologies. 5G technologies are far less studied for human or environmental effects.It is argued that the addition of this added high frequency 5G radiation to an already complex mix of lower frequencies, will contribute to a negative public health outcome both from both physical and mental health perspectives.Radiofrequency radiation (RF) is increasingly being recognized as a new form of environmental pollution. Like other common toxic exposures, the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) will be problematic if not impossible to sort out epidemiologically as there no longer remains an unexposed control group. This is especially important considering these effects are likely magnified by synergistic toxic exposures and other common health risk behaviors. Effects can also be non-linear. Because this is the first generation to have cradle-to-grave lifespan exposure to this level of man-made microwave (RF EMR) radiofrequencies, it will be years or decades before the true health consequences are known. Precaution in the roll out of this new technology is strongly indicated.This article will review relevant electromagnetic frequencies, exposure standards and current scientific literature on the health implications of 2G, 3G, 4G exposure, including some of the available literature on 5G frequencies. The question of what constitutes a public health issue will be raised, as well as the need for a precautionary approach in advancing new wireless technologies.

The program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” approved the Concept for the creation and development of 5G / IMT-2020 networks. The development of 5G communications will significantly impact the implementation of many innovative projects and initiatives: the Smart City project, Unmanned Transport, etc. Along with significant technical advantages compared to previous generations of communication (2G, 3G, 4G), 5G technology has completely different emitting characteristics: more emitting elements, signal modulation, three-dimensional beam, the ability to control the beam, SHF (ultra-high) and EHF (extremely high) radio frequency ranges and centimetre and millimetre wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, it is becoming an especially urgent problem to ensure exposure to the human body of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields of the radio frequency range (30 kHz-300 GHz). The authors searched the literature on the biological effects of 5G cellular communications and electromagnetic radiation in the centimetre and millimetre ranges using the appropriate keywords in PubMed search engines, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, RSCI and others. There is currently tentative and conflicting evidence on the impact of 5G. The rapidly growing density of wireless devices and antennas (considering future 5G networks) increases the public health risk from exposure to RF EMFs as the penetration depth for 5G EHF radiation is only a few millimetres. At these wavelengths, resonance phenomena are possible at the cellular and molecular levels, particularly concerning stimulating SHF and EHF oxidative processes and damaging DNA. The influence of the millimetre range of RF-EMF is poorly understood; oncological and non-oncological (impact on the reproductive, immune systems, etc.) effects are possible. Using numerical simulation methods of EMF radiation resonances on insects, Thielens A et al., 2018, found a significant overall increase in the absorbed RF power at a frequency of 6 GHz and higher than a frequency below 6 GHz.

The rapid proliferation of cellular mobile telecommunication devices and systems is raising public health concerns about the biological effects and safety of RF radiation exposure. There is also concern about the efficacy of promulgated health safety limits, rules, and recommendations for the RF radiation used by these devices and systems. This article reviews and discusses the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) notices and rules, International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines, and International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES) standard for safety levels with respect to human exposure to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The recently revised RF exposure limits are adjusted only for heating with RF radiation. These limits are largely intended to restrict short-term heating by RF radiation that raises tissue temperatures. They are narrow in scope and are not applicable to long-term exposure at low levels. This review discusses the assumptions underlying the standards and the outdated exposure metrics employed, and concludes that the revised guidelines do not adequately protect children, workers, or the public from exposure to RF radiation or people with sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices and systems. Furthermore, the review discusses important animal data that the standards do not appear to take into account. Moreover, for millimeter-wave radiation from 5G mobile communications, there are no adequate human health effects studies in the published literature. The conclusions by scientific organizations, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), that diverge from these standards are also discussed. The review concludes that many of the recommended limits are debatable and require more scientific justification from the standpoint of safety and public health protection.

The fifth-generation wireless (5G) has already started showing its capability to achieve extremely fast data transfer, which makes itself considered to be a promising mobile technology. However, concerns have been raised on adverse health impacts that human users can experience in a 5G system by being exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This article investigates the human EMF exposure in a 5G system and compare to those measured in the previous-generation cellular systems. It suggests a minimum separation distance between a transmitter and a human user for keeping the EMF exposure below the safety regulation level, which provides consumers with a general understanding on the safe use of 5G communications.

Due to the negative connotations around radiation, there is a great deal of angst in the community regarding radiation exposure and health; especially electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sources such as powerlines, mobile phone towers and the rollout of the 5G network. As such, it is important for health authorities to provide the public with information and assurances regarding radiation safety. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) set up community engagement programs to address community concerns. Type of program or service: From 2003 until April 2022, ARPANSA operated a Health Complaints Register, which collected reports of health complaints from members of the public related to possible EMR exposures. Collected data was used to produce annual statistical summaries on the nature and level of complaints received. Since 2016, ARPANSA has also run the Talk to a Scientist program, which allows the public to communicate directly with scientists on issues about radiation exposure, health and protection in Australia. Data is collected on the type of radiation and radiation source. There was a low level of interest in the Register, with only 180 reports received over the duration of its operation. Smart meters were the most common source of EMR exposure reported to be responsible for adverse health effects. The most common adverse health effect reported was headaches. The Register was closed in April 2022 due to a lack of interest. In contrast, the Talk to a Scientist program has responded to 6546 enquiries since 2016, most of which have been on EMR sources and the success of the Talk to a Scientist program, which rendered the Register obsolete. The EMR Health Complaints Register never received much interest from the public, potentially due to a perceived lack of engagement with authorities. The Talk to a Scientist program, which facilitated direct interaction with subject matter experts, has been much more successful in engaging with the public and addressing community concerns on radiation safety.

The latest cellular technology, known as 5G-NR, is intended to significantly speed up and improve the effectiveness of wireless systems. A revolution in the telecom industry has been sparked by the widespread use of and increased reliance on cellular communication technology. Moreover, 5G and B5G technologies are expected to utilize an even higher-frequency range to achieve faster data transmission and lower latency communication. Consequently, while transmitting signals across various types of equipment and infrastructure, the general public is exposed to much higher frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The increasing need for 5G NR base stations (gNodeB) has heightened public anxiety over potential negative health impacts. This study reviews recent research on the effects of electromagnetic waves on humans, particularly focusing on how these effects influence cognitive functions. Most research to date has not found significant differences in cognitive performance due to ubiquitous mobile communications. However, current research has largely been limited to 4G technologies, and the health effects of exposure to 5G user equipment (UE) and base stations in higher-frequency bands remain unexplored. If subsequent research suggests that exposure to high-frequency wireless networks significantly impacts cognitive functions, the deployment and acceptance of these technologies may face challenges and constraints. Therefore, such investigations are crucial for determining whether next-generation technologies pose no risk to individuals.

Simple SummaryTo increase the probability of reunions occurring between owners and lost pets, tracking devices are applied to pets. The pet’s position is determined by satellites (e.g., GPS) and transmitted by radio frequencies (RFs) to a mobile phone. In this study, the health risks from exposure to radio frequencies emitted by radios, TVs, mobile networks, indoor devices (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth), mobile phones, and in the use of such tracking devices were investigated. The radiation exposure was found to be well below international limit values, which means that adverse health effects are unlikely to occur. The risk of high exposure of pets is mainly caused by indoor RF-emitting devices, such as WLAN devices. This exposure can be limited through a reduction in the exposure time and an increase in the distance between the animal and the RF-emitting device. Even though the exposure of pets to total radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) levels was found to be below the limit values—and, therefore, not a health risk—recommendations are given for the use of tracking devices and to limit the exposure to indoor devices.Every year, approximately 3% of cats and dogs are lost. In addition to passive methods for identifying pets, radiofrequency tracking devices (TDs) are available. These TDs can track a pet’s geographic position, which is transmitted by radio frequencies. The health risk to the animals from continuous exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) was reviewed. Fourteen out of twenty-one commercially available TDs use 2G, 3G, or 4G mobile networks, and the others work with public frequencies, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. The exposure of pets to RF-EMFs was assessed, including ambient exposure (radios, TVs, and base stations of mobile networks), exposure from indoor devices (DECT, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.), and the exposure from TDs. The exposure levels of the three areas were found to be distinctly below the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference levels, which assure far-reaching protection from adverse health effects. The highest uncertainty regarding the exposure of pets was related to that caused by indoor RF-emitting devices using WLAN and DECT. This exposure can be limited considerably through a reduction in the exposure time and an increase in the distance between the animal and the RF-emitting device. Even though the total RF-EMF exposure level experienced by pets was found to be below the reference limits, recommendations were derived to reduce potential risks from exposure to TDs and indoor devices.