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5G Wireless Communication and Health Effects—A Pragmatic Review Based on Available Studies Regarding 6 to 100 GHz

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  • Myrtill Simkó

    (SciProof International AB, Vaktpoststigen 4, 83132 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Mats-Olof Mattsson

    (SciProof International AB, Vaktpoststigen 4, 83132 Östersund, Sweden)

Abstract

The introduction of the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication will increase the number of high-frequency-powered base stations and other devices. The question is if such higher frequencies (in this review, 6–100 GHz, millimeter waves, MMW) can have a health impact. This review analyzed 94 relevant publications performing in vivo or in vitro investigations. Each study was characterized for: study type (in vivo, in vitro), biological material (species, cell type, etc.), biological endpoint, exposure (frequency, exposure duration, power density), results, and certain quality criteria. Eighty percent of the in vivo studies showed responses to exposure, while 58% of the in vitro studies demonstrated effects. The responses affected all biological endpoints studied. There was no consistent relationship between power density, exposure duration, or frequency, and exposure effects. The available studies do not provide adequate and sufficient information for a meaningful safety assessment, or for the question about non-thermal effects. There is a need for research regarding local heat developments on small surfaces, e.g., skin or the eye, and on any environmental impact. Our quality analysis shows that for future studies to be useful for safety assessment, design and implementation need to be significantly improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Myrtill Simkó & Mats-Olof Mattsson, 2019. "5G Wireless Communication and Health Effects—A Pragmatic Review Based on Available Studies Regarding 6 to 100 GHz," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:18:p:3406-:d:267118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Denis Habauzit & Catherine Le Quément & Maxim Zhadobov & Catherine Martin & Marc Aubry & Ronan Sauleau & Yves Le Dréan, 2014. "Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Contribution of Thermal and the Specific Effects in Cellular Response to Millimeter Wave Exposure," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-10, October.
    2. Shin Koyama & Eijiro Narita & Yoko Shimizu & Yukihisa Suzuki & Takeo Shiina & Masao Taki & Naoki Shinohara & Junji Miyakoshi, 2016. "Effects of Long-Term Exposure to 60 GHz Millimeter-Wavelength Radiation on the Genotoxicity and Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) Expression of Cells Derived from Human Eye," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-9, August.
    3. Myrtill Simkó & Daniel Remondini & Olga Zeni & Maria Rosaria Scarfi, 2016. "Quality Matters: Systematic Analysis of Endpoints Related to “Cellular Life” in Vitro Data of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nikolaos Petroulakis & Mats-Olof Mattsson & Panos Chatziadam & Myrtill Simko & Andreas Gavrielides & Andrianos M. Yiorkas & Olga Zeni & Maria Rosaria Scarfi & Eduardo Soudah & Ruben Otin & Fulvio Sche, 2023. "NextGEM: Next-Generation Integrated Sensing and Analytical System for Monitoring and Assessing Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Layla Jamal & Lydia Yahia-Cherif & Laurent Hugueville & Paul Mazet & Philippe Lévêque & Brahim Selmaoui, 2023. "Assessment of Electrical Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers Exposed to 3.5 GHz of 5G Signals within Environmental Levels: A Controlled–Randomised Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez & Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio & Isabel Escobar & Carmen del Pilar Suarez Rodriguez & Enrique Arribas, 2021. "Personal Exposure Assessment to Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mexican Microenvironments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Oughton, Edward & Geraci, Giovanni & Polese, Michele & Shah, Vijay & Bubley, Dean & Blue, Scott, 2024. "Reviewing wireless broadband technologies in the peak smartphone era: 6G versus Wi-Fi 7 and 8," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6).
    5. Floris Goerlandt & Jie Li & Genserik Reniers, 2020. "The Landscape of Risk Communication Research: A Scientometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-31, May.

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