Systematic review on the physiological and health-related effects of 5G-relevant radiofrequency fields (3-4 GHz and 20-30 GHz) [protocol]

2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 343

Protocol for a planned systematic review assessing physiological and health-related effects of exposure to 5G-relevant radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (3–4 GHz and 20–30 GHz) in humans and mammals compared with no or lower exposure, including experiment…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Systematic review on the physiological and health-related effects of 5G-relevant radiofrequency fields (3-4 GHz and 20-30 GHz) [protocol] Bodewein L, Dechent D, Emonds T, Graefrath D, Krabbe J, Scheelhaase PJ, Schmid G, Schneeweiss P, Driessen S. Systematic review on the physiological and health-related effects of 5G-relevant radiofrequency fields (3-4 GHz and 20-30 GHz). PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022374434 No abstract Review question The introduction of the latest mobile communications standard of the fifth generation (5G) is accompanied by controversial discussions about potential health risks. According to the current state of knowledge, there is no health risk for frequencies in the range of existing mobile communications applications (approx. 800 MHz–3 GHz) below the recommended international limits. However, higher frequencies up to the millimeter-wave range are used for 5G (>3 GHz). For these frequencies, there are significantly fewer studies available on physiological and health-related effects than for the mobile communications frequencies used in the past. In addition, the higher the frequency, the more energy of the electromagnetic field is absorbed on the body surface resulting in potentially different sites of effects. The systematic review will provide a comprehensive analysis of the following PECOS (Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, Study design) question: Are there any physiological or health-related effects (O) of exposure to 5G-relevant radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (3–4 GHz and 20–30 GHz) (E) in humans and mammals (P) compared to no or lower exposure level (C) in experimental and observational epidemiological studies (S)? Excerpts We will consider peer-reviewed journal articles that report primary data from experimental animal studies (EA) and human controlled trials (HCT) (single-blind or double-blind) as well as observational cohort (Co), case- control (CaCo), and cross-sectional (CrSe) studies.... Studies will be included if they investigate exposures to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 3–4 GHz and 20–30 GHz. In case the body of eligible studies after study selection does not prove to be sufficient for a sensible analysis, the frequency range will be expanded to 3–30 GHz. Studies will be included that report at least one of the following descriptors of exposure... The conditions of interest in relation to 5G-relevant radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure for this systematic review will be all health-related endpoints, behavior, and other physiological endpoints.... Organisational affiliation of the review: Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu) - Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany Anticipated or actual start date 21 November 2022 Anticipated completion date 31 January 2024 Funding sources/sponsors: This work is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the framework of the 5G.NRW- Förderwettbewerb. The funder had no role in the protocol development. Open access paper: crd.york.ac.uk

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typesystematic_review

Effect directionunclear

PopulationHumans and mammals

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Physiological effects
Health-related endpoints
Behavioral endpoints

Limitations

No results reported (protocol/registration entry).
Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not specified in the provided text beyond intent to include at least one exposure descriptor.
Frequency range may be expanded to 3–30 GHz if eligible studies are insufficient (scope may change).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "5G",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Humans and mammals",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Physiological effects",
    "Health-related endpoints",
    "Behavioral endpoints"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Protocol for a planned systematic review assessing physiological and health-related effects of exposure to 5G-relevant radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (3–4 GHz and 20–30 GHz) in humans and mammals compared with no or lower exposure, including experimental and observational epidemiological studies.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No results reported (protocol/registration entry).",
    "Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not specified in the provided text beyond intent to include at least one exposure descriptor.",
    "Frequency range may be expanded to 3–30 GHz if eligible studies are insufficient (scope may change)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "millimeter wave",
    "3–4 GHz",
    "20–30 GHz",
    "systematic review protocol",
    "PROSPERO",
    "humans",
    "mammals"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Focuses on 5G-relevant RF exposures (3–4 GHz and 20–30 GHz) and health/physiological effects."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Mentions recommended international limits and health risk discussions, though not a primary focus of the protocol."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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