Mobile phones are 96% of American adultsWith this widespread use and the need for faster speeds and more data, 5G, the latest generation of mobile phone technology, seems to have everyone on their radar.
Environmental Factor spoke with Dr. Michael Wyde, a toxicologist at the National Toxicology Program (NTP), to learn more about NTP’s research into 5G and cell phone radio frequency radiation (RFR).
Wide works in the NTP Division’s Toxicology Section. (Photo by Steve McCaw)EF: What exactly is 5G technology?
MW5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology that offers faster data transfer speeds, lower network latency, and increased network capacity compared to previous generations.
Used primarily for voice calls and text messaging, 2G and 3G cellular networks operate on specific frequencies between 800 and 1,900 megahertz (MHz). 4G and 4G-LTE networks, which include additional frequencies between 700 and 2,500 MHz, were developed to accommodate growing data needs such as streaming video, Internet access, and file downloads.
Today’s mobile phones work on 2G, 3G and 4G platforms and use multiple antennas that allow for maximum geographical coverage, connectivity and speed. 5G technology uses the same frequencies as previous technologies but also has higher RFR frequencies called mmWave.
These higher frequencies, up to 60,000 MHz, allow for greater amounts of data to be transmitted at higher speeds, increasing network capacity, so it is expected that a wider range of RFR frequency spectrum will become available to wireless users in the future.
EF: Will 5G increase radiation levels from mobile phones?
MW: It is difficult to compare 5G to previous generations of wireless networks, given some of the issues mentioned above. NTP scientists continue to work to understand the effects of exposure to RFRs on biological tissues, regardless of generation.
Millimeter waves, such as those used in 5G, are known to not travel as far or penetrate as deeply into the body as the lower frequency RFRs used in current 2G, 3G and 4G networks, with most absorption at higher frequencies occurring in the skin.
At lower frequencies, RFR has been shown to penetrate at least 3-4 inches into the human body. In a study on rats, exposure to 900 MHz RFR caused tumors in the heart, brain, and adrenal glands. However, RFR at 5G mmWave frequencies does not penetrate deep enough to reach those tissues.
Additionally, 5G networks’ higher frequencies have shorter ranges and do not penetrate physical barriers, so more transmitters and antennas are needed to reach consumers, potentially bringing antennas closer to people and increasing exposure.
5G networks are likely to require more transmitters and antennas, potentially increasing cellular exposure to RFR.However, due to the increased number of antennas, 5G RFR power levels will likely be lower than those currently used in 2G, 3G, and 4G. At this time, it is unclear how human exposure to RFR will change. What is known is that wireless users will continue to be exposed to current frequencies, but will also be exposed to higher frequencies.
EF: How does the NTP plan to study the health effects of 5G?
MWNTP is evaluating the existing literature on higher frequencies intended for use in 5G networks and is working to gain a deeper understanding of the biological basis of cancer findings reported in 5G networks. Previous studies on RFR over 2G and 3G technologies.
Additionally, development is underway to develop smaller RFR exposure chambers for short-term rodent studies that can be completed in weeks or months instead of years. New exposure systems can also be used to evaluate new technologies in the communications industry.
NTP also hopes to repeat the DNA damage study in smaller RFR exposure chambers and identify biomarkers of damage from RFR exposure – measurable physical changes, such as molecular changes, that can be seen in a shorter time than it takes for cancer to develop and may help predict disease.
If scientists could better understand biological changes in animals, they would have a better idea of what to look for in humans.
(Dr. Sheena Scruggs is digital outreach coordinator for the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Affairs.)
