While 5G technology is steadily advancing around the world, many governments, agencies and organizations see no reason to worry about the effects of radio waves on human health, but experts disagree.
In an article published by Medical News Today, writer Yella Huings Martin explains that the term "5G" refers to the 5G cellular communication technology. It promises higher browsing speed, online live streaming, faster file downloads and improved connection quality. 5G networks appear to be a product of the natural evolution of our society's connection to technology.
In addition to speeding up the process of downloading and watching movies, the 5G technology is also designed to increase network capacity and reduce response time, which is the time it takes for electronic devices to communicate with each other.
For applications embedded in electronic devices, such as robots, self-driving cars and medical equipment, these changes will play a major role in the transition to relying on these new technologies in our daily lives.
Higher frequency bands
5G networks will rely on higher frequency bands than usual, in the middle of the broad spectrum of radio frequency waves.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission has opened an auction of the first 28 GHz bandwidth, which will represent the 5G network, and other auctions are scheduled later this year.
The author points out that there are great questions about the relationship of 5G networks to our health, especially the impact of electromagnetic radiation on the human body, the debate about radio frequencies, and what this means for 5G technology.
What electromagnetic radiation?
An electromagnetic field is a field of energy that is caused by electromagnetic radiation, a type of energy that appears as a result of the flow of electricity.
Electric fields exist everywhere power lines and outlets, whether electricity is on or off. Magnetic fields are produced only when electric currents flow, and together they produce electromagnetic fields.
Electromagnetic radiation exists as a spectrum of wavelengths of different length and frequency, which are measured in Hz. This term indicates the number of cycles per second.
For ordinary people, exposure to radio frequencies and electromagnetic fields is due to hand-held electronic devices such as a telephone and tablet, telephone signal transmission stations, some medical devices, and a TV set.
One of the most obvious biological effects of radio wave frequencies and electromagnetic fields is heat. A high dose of these waves may cause each tissue to overheat, resulting in burns and other damage.
But phones are releasing these waves at low levels, and the debate over whether this is a cause for concern and fear for health will renew again with the arrival of 5G networks.
Does radio frequency waves cause cancer?
In 2011, 30 of the world's leading scientists gathered in the framework of the International Agency for Research on Cancer to assess the risk of tumor development as a result of exposure to radio frequency waves and electromagnetic fields. The team published its findings in a scientific journal after examining five types of human cases, each of which was designed to find out whether there was a link between mobile phone and central nervous system cancer. The team found a possible causal relationship between exposure to radio frequencies and electromagnetic fields, and infection.
Other studies have also been conducted, but the evidence has not been sufficient to prove this in other cancers. Given the limitations of the experiments and the lack of a definite conclusion, the team of scientists decided to classify radio frequencies and electromagnetic fields as "can cause human cancer".
WHO denies health damage
Despite this classification by scientists, other leading organizations have not reached the same conclusion. Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), it has issued a very different health risk assessment. Scientists continue to research in this area. "
The Federal Communications Commission in the United States notes that "the hypothesis of damage from exposure to radio frequency radiation is still a vague and uncertain issue."
Conclusion
Sure, there is evidence linking exposure to radio frequencies and electromagnetic fields, and the dangers of the development of some health problems, but scientists have not yet been able to confirm the severity of this link.
For those living in densely populated areas, extensive exposure to radio waves is inevitable.
In order to minimize this and prevent damage, the US Food and Drug Administration recommends reducing the time spent using a mobile phone, removing the device from the head and adopting a headset or speaker when making calls.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends reducing the amount of time children and adolescents spend on mobile phones, and studies are underway on the dangers of exposure to digital networks.