Is the Increase in Radiation from 5G Technology Dangerous?
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
Cell phones are an inevitable part of our daily lives. The first thing we do when we wake up in the morning is check our cell phone.
We repeat the same process multiple times during the day until late in the evening, or before we go to bed. The time we use our cell phone is unlimited. During that time, we are exposed to cell phone radiation.
Through the years, scientists and experts have been warning us about the possible risks of overexposure to cell phone radiofrequency radiation. This time, it might be right for us to listen carefully to their precautions and safety warnings.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE 5G TECHNOLOGY LAUNCH
With the future launch of the next generation of wireless systems - 5G, humanity will be able to enjoy the improvements of the current 4G standards.
However, should we be more concerned about the impact this technology will have on our health instead of just getting excited by its improved performances? The main concerns regarding the issue include:
Increased Number of Transmitters that will emit radiofrequency radiation
This year in June, the US started preparing its field for the ten times faster 5G technology. After the positive vote of The Federal Communication Commission, the U.S. started the process of allocating high-frequency airwaves for 5G that will transmit the signal.
The main problem regarding the use of the airwaves is that the wireless companies will have to use the base of buildings and utility poles to install thousands of small base stations that will carry the signal.
The concerns exist because of the unknown number of potential base stations that would be needed to install 5G service. The overall opinion is that it would be necessary to include one station at every 12 homes because the signals cannot travel at long distance. Meaning, the number of transmitters that will emit radiofrequency radiation is about to increase.
It is planned for the improved 5G services to be available by 2025, following a well-conducted research of the possible health risks the technology might bring.
The increased number of transmitters in the environment increases the possible risks the radiation might have on human’s health. Kevin Mottus, an outreach director for the California Brain Tumor Association, who attended The Federal Communication Commission meeting, stated to the LA Times: “There is a big concern with the previous technology and it’s just being made worse with 5G. These are microwave transmitters and the closer you are to them, the more problems.”
People who were cautious about the effects of cell phone and cell tower radiation to their health have a tendency of moving away from the place where a tower exists.
With the increased number of transmitters in the future, people will be surrounded with low-frequency signals emitted from the base stations, both at their homes and working places. Moving away from a place near a tower might not be an option anymore.
Increased Number of Cell Phone Subscribers
Every year, the number of cell phone subscribers is raising. According to the Telecommunication Union, the number of cellphone subscription globally reaches up to 5 billion. Mary Meeker’s annual update report on mobile technology trends shows that adults spend approximately three hours of their day on their mobile phone.
The data shows increased number of hours that people spend on their mobile phone (51%) compared to the desktop (42%). The report shows that 80% of internet users own a smartphone and 90% of the time users spend on their mobile is spent on apps.
According to the National Cancer Institute’s conclusion based on multiple studies, “Radiofrequency energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage that can lead to cancer.
It’s only consistently observed biological effect in humans is tissue heating.” With the increased amount of time that people spend on their cell phone devices, scientists’ concerns are justified. Scientists believe that radiofrequency waves affect the tissue because tissues absorb the radio waves energy, which can lead to cancer.
Cell Phone Radiation Effects on Human Body
A recent National Toxicology Program’s study shows an increased percentage of brain tumor in male rats exposed to cell phone radiation. The results of the study show a connection between cell phone radiation and rare brain and heart tumor at male rats.
During the two year research, the rats were exposed to ten minutes on and ten minutes off cell phone radiation through their entire bodies for nine hours during the day.
In 2011, “The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.“ Some of the countries worldwide, including the US, established precautionary measures and educated the people on cell phone exposure dangers.
In 2015, an International Appeal from scientists addressing the radiation from non-ionizing electromagnetic field exposure was sent to United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Among other things, the appeal addressed the lack of proper safety standards: “The various agencies setting safety standards have failed to impose sufficient guidelines to protect the general public, particularly children who are more vulnerable to the effects of EMF.”
Overall, studies have shown that the risk of radiofrequency radiation emitted by cell phones is an issue that requires more attention.
How to Block Radio Frequency
The awareness about cell phone radiation is not nearly to the level required for increasing the safety measures, both by the government and the people. The most important thing is to raise the awareness at the level that people will educate themselves about the risks of radiofrequency radiation and the possible solutions that will help minimize the radiation.
SafeSleeve’s cell phone cases include radiation shielding technology that has been lab tested to block up to 99% of ELF and RF radiation. The cell phone cases can block extremely low frequencies (ELF), radio frequencies (RF), and thermal energy, all of which have been connected to increased risk of cancer.
