We have heard about conspiracy theories that the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic is linked to the deployment of 5G networks. Even celebrities like Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, singer Anne Marie and American actor-playwright Woody Harrelson warned the public about the dangers of social media broadband while Facebook took down an anti-5G group in which it encouraged users to post images of themselves destroying network equipment. Some newspapers have broadcast images of a 20-meter base station in Birmingham on fire, attacked by anti-5G protesters. Nearly all "G" cell technology had theorized about health risks, and 5G did not differ in concern about the potential health effects of radio frequency (RF) energy transmitted by radio stations. dock and 5G devices. Many groups have previously claimed that 4G and 5G mobile signals can cause cancer. Is 5G a culprit and what do lobbyists have to say about Iran, India and many other countries where 5G is not on the horizon and at the same time has reported a rise? new pandemic cases? The global electromagnetic spectrum consists of static electricity and magnetic fields, RF, microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. RF is in the middle part of the spectrum and is used for radio communications, mobile phone networks, mobile base stations and mobile phones and to provide 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. Non-ionizing radiation (static infrared field) does not carry enough energy to break molecular bonds. Ionizing radiation (ultraviolet to gamma rays) carries enough energy to break the bonds between molecules and ionized atoms. 5G systems operate in various frequency bands, low, medium and millimeter wave (24.25 GHz to 86 GHz). Millimeter wave is one area that has raised concerns outside of the multitude of small cells mounted on utility poles along public streets and near subscribers, but this spectrum has been used in many other applications, such as airport security scanners. and anti-collision radars for automobiles. but now millimeter wave is used for cellular communications in many countries. The experts said that current evidence does not confirm the existence of health consequences from exposure to low-level (according to current international exposure guidelines developed by ICNIRP and IEEE-ICES) electromagnetic fields (EMF). They have pointed out, based on numerous experiences and studies, that modern technology does not have a negative impact on health.
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(Image credit: future)
Who defines EMF exposure standards?
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the International Committee for Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE-ICES) have defined guidelines for the protection of people against non-ionizing radiation, in particular due to exposure to Technologies 5G. Countries generally adopt one and legally recommend or require compliance with the guidelines. Safety standards already have large safety margins. Dr. Chung Kwang Chou, Chairman of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE), said the common understanding is that radiation can cause cancer and other diseases, but the biological effects of RF exposure have been studied for about 70 years. and research shows that the only established harmful health effect of RF energy (above 100 kHz) is the thermal effect. Dr. Jafar Keshwari, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Aalto University in Helsinki and Corporate Product Regulations and Standards Management at Intel Corporation and chair of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE-ICES), said that EMF exposure from a mobile device is much lower than that of other devices. “During RF exposure, biological effects still exist, but adverse health effects depend on the level of exposure. Thermal effects continue to be the appropriate basis for protection against the health effects of exposure to radio frequencies above 100 kHz," he said. As long as the product complies with the exposure limit, he has declared it safe.
Security factor
For cell phones, the limit is 2 watts per kilogram and harmful effects are seen when it reaches 100 watts per kilogram.
“So there is a large factor of safety in the exposure limits. It is the responsibility of the regulator to verify that each marketed product, device or base station respects the limits. The manufacturer has to assess the exposure against the limits," he said.
Furthermore, he stated that the main safety concern for 5G mmW waves was heating of the skin and eyes.
“The skin constitutes 95% of the surface of the human body, while the cornea of the eyes constitutes 75% of fresh water and a thickness of 0,5 mm. Millimeter waves are absorbed within approximately 0,5mm of the skin's surface, unlike RF energy at lower frequencies that can penetrate deeper into tissue," he said.
No matter how often you do it, ICNIRP Commissioner Professor Rodney Croft said safety depends on the strength of the field, or the amount of energy absorbed by the body per second.
“If we have a lot of energy per second, then you are heating up and your body can't get rid of this heat. The body can remove a small amount of energy because the blood supply absorbs and distributes heat, and the blood flow exchanges heat with the environment. It happens with all frequencies and only if you get much higher frequency then it happens with ionizing radiation and at this point we have a very different story," he said.
Below optical (non-ionizing) radiation levels, Croft stated that the frequency is not important to health, expect it to tell you the depth of penetration.
So listening or not listening to FM radio or music, he said that radio signals flow and are in low frequency (100 MHz) all the time.
“It goes into your body. As the frequency increases, the wavelength is much shorter and it is absorbed in the superphysical part of the body. When it comes to 5G, almost all the energy is absorbed by the skin. So instead of increasing the temperature inside the body, now it is on the surface of the skin, ”he said.
Even the worst effects of exposure will not cause cancer or any other disease; He said adding that the local temperature rises less than 0.5 degrees, but there is no detectable rise in core body temperature.
"Even if you hold a block of wood or a toy close to your ears for a certain period of time, the skin temperature near your ears rises, and this is not due to RF exposure but due to lack of air circulation. .
However, if you are close to the base station, he said the body absorbs more heat but the guidelines take that into account and you have a limit, a safe distance from the base station.
“It all depends on the power of the base station. You can actually push the limits, but you still won't get injured, but it's better for us to have a very conservative limit than to get too close to a level where someone can get injured," he said.
In addition, he said that community fears are hindering the implementation of 5G, but guidelines are needed to ensure unequivocal safety for the community.