Fifth generation (5G) telecommunication systems and human health

Abstract

Reviews of experimental and epidemiological studies on supposed damaging and carcinogenic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves have been published recently. This review is focused on millimeter waves used in 5G communication systems. The literature on this topic is controversial; some reports are of questionable objectivity. Under these conditions, importance of theoretical argumentation increases. Millimeter waves have low penetration depth being absorbed by the skin and visible mucous membranes. It is concluded in this review that there is no convincing evidence of non-thermal mechanisms of tissue damage under the impact of millimeter waves. Theoretically, there is no reason to expect more damaging or carcinogenic effects from electromagnetic radiation per unit of absorbed energy than from infrared rays. Bias and systematic errors are possible in epidemiological studies. According to conclusions of international organizations, the incidence of brain tumors has generally not reacted to the global spread of mobile communications. The incidence increase in some regions and age groups can be explained by improvements of magnetic resonance and other diagnostic methods. In the recent past, cumulative time of mobile phone use was associated with personal incomes and, correspondingly, with diagnostic quality and frequency of examinations. This bias could explain some correlations between the mobile phone use and incidence of certain diseases. Reliable results can be obtained in animal experiments comparing the average life duration in experimental and control groups. To make results extrapolable to humans, exposure parameters in experiments must be comparable to those associated with professional activities or cell phone use.