5G and health - a review of the research into low-level millimetre waves

Full text: The introduction of the fifth generation (5G) wireless communications network has caused some public concern about any possible health effects from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. The possibility of adverse effects from wireless communications, particularly mobile phone networks, has been a long standing issue but renewed public concern surrounds new technologies using RF fields above 6 GHz and into the 'millimetre wave' range (30–300 GHz). In order to investigate whether low-level millimetre waves such as those produced by the 5G network are associated with any health effects we reviewed the state of the science into the effects of millimetre waves at levels below current international exposure guidelines. The review assessed 107 experimental studies that investigated various biological effects including genotoxicity, cell proliferation, gene expression, cell signalling, membrane function and other effects. The review of experimental studies showed a diverse range of results but provided no confirmed evidence that low-level MMWs are associated with biological effects relevant to human health. Many of the studies reporting effects came from the same research groups and the results have not been independently reproduced. The review also included 31 epidemiological studies that investigated exposure to radar, which uses RF fields above 6 GHz similar to 5G. The epidemiological studies showed little evidence of health effects including cancer at different sites, effects on reproduction and other diseases. To follow up the diverse results of the experimental studies we also conducted a meta-analysis of these results. The meta-analysis showed that there was no dose-response relationship between the exposure level and the size of the effect. In fact, studies with a higher exposure tended to show a lower effect size. An investigation into the methods of the experimental studies showed that the majority of studies were lacking in a number of quality criteria including proper attention to dosimetry, incorporating positive controls, using blind evaluation or accurately measuring or controlling the temperature of the biological system being tested. The metaanalysis further showed that studies with a low quality score were more likely to show a greater effect. In conclusion, a review of all the studies provided no substantiated evidence that low-level millimetre waves, like those used by the 5G network, are hazardous to human health. The findings remain consistent with national and international radiation health and safety guidelines, which have deemed low level 5G millimetre waves safe for public exposure. (author)