Interaction of Millimetre Waves Used in 5G Network with Cells and Tissues of Head-and-Neck Region: A Literature Review

2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 391

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Interaction of Millimetre Waves Used in 5G Network with Cells and Tissues of Head-and-Neck Region: A Literature Review Dagli N, Dagli R, Thangavelu L. Interaction of Millimetre Waves Used in 5G Network with Cells and Tissues of Head-and-Neck Region: A Literature Review. Advances in Human Biology 13(2):p 168-176, Apr–Jun 2023. | DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_133_22 . Abstract Fifth-generation mobile technology is supposed to revolutionise the world. It has many features which can benefit humankind, but at the same time, it will expose us to much radiation. Therefore, we need to understand the importance and ill effects of 5 G technology. An online literature search was conducted through PubMed and Scopus databases from April 2021 to May 2021, using the Boolean operators OR, AND and NOT and the keywords ‘5G Network’, ‘Human tissues’, and ‘Animal tissues’. The literature is very scarce in studies on the effects of millimetre waves on various tissues. A total of 1269 studies were identified, and 24 were selected for qualitative evidence synthesis. Randomised control trials, laboratory studies, in-vitro studies, in-vivo studies and ex-vivo studies were included. Data from the studies were collected using the data extraction form, and all the relevant information was summarized. Five of 24 studies were done on animals, four on humans, five on models, and ten on various cells. Ten of 24 studies demonstrated the harmful effects of millimetre waves. Results are ambivalent, and no association is found between particular frequency and impact on tissue, animals or humans. Pathophysiological effects observed in most studies were mild, reversible, and limited to the cellular level. Available evidence reported temperature rise after millimetre wave exposure, which was within safety limits. Any biological impact on a cellular level noticed due to radiation’s thermal effects were insignificant and did not affect the organ level. However, only a few studies have mentioned non-thermal impact, but those effects should not be overlooked. Clinical trials on a large population and for a longer duration are required to establish the safety of millimetre waves before deploying a 5G network worldwide. Conclusion Very few studies published related to the effects of millimetre waves on various tissues. Therefore, it is very difficult to reach a clear conclusion. Available evidence suggests that heating effects in tissues due to MMW exposure cause temperature rise. However, the temperature rise was found to be within safety limits for the short duration of exposure, but biological effects on the cellular level were observed in a few studies. It is unclear how these changes will affect organs or individuals when the population is exposed to radiation continuously for a lifetime. Very few studies have shown harmful non-thermal effects too. These effects should not be overlooked. Special attention should be paid to the tissues of the head and neck region as they are in close proximity to electromagnetic devices. More research is required to confirm those findings and the chronic thermal and non-thermal effects of MMW and to establish safety before the deployment of 5G networks all over the world. Technological advancement is necessary for human race development but not at the cost of our health. We need to limit the use of certain frequencies at workplaces where a high amount of data is required to be transferred at high speed and find the safest frequency for widespread use so that our environment and the next generations can be protected from hazardous effects. Future study recommendation Very few studies have been done on the effects of millimetre waves on humans. Clinical trials on a large population and for longer duration are required to establish the safety of millimetre waves before the 5G network roll out all over the world. The effect of other environmental toxic stimuli should be considered while studying the effect of MMW. Other factors that affect the absorption of MMW, such as the shadowing effect, reflection from surrounding tissues, angle of a screen of a device, thickness of skin and the water content of the skin should be considered. Open access paper: journals.lww.com. 3.aspx

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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHumans, animals, models, and cells (head-and-neck region focus)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposuremmWave · Short duration exposure discussed; long-term/lifetime exposure noted as unclear

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

This literature review identified 24 studies on millimetre-wave effects (including animal, human, model, and cell studies), reporting ambivalent results with no clear association between specific frequencies and impacts. The review reports that observed effects were mostly mild, reversible, and limited to the cellular level, with temperature rises within safety limits for short exposures, while noting that a few studies reported potentially harmful non-thermal effects that warrant further study.

Outcomes measured

Cellular-level biological effects
Thermal effects/temperature rise
Pathophysiological effects in tissues
Non-thermal effects (reported in few studies)

Limitations

Literature described as scarce for millimetre-wave effects on tissues
Qualitative synthesis only; no quantitative meta-analysis reported
Search window limited to April 2021 to May 2021
Heterogeneous evidence base (in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, models, humans)
Unclear implications for chronic/continuous lifetime exposure
Non-thermal effects mentioned in only a few studies

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "publication_year": 2023,
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "mmWave",
    "source": "5G network",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Short duration exposure discussed; long-term/lifetime exposure noted as unclear"
  },
  "population": "Humans, animals, models, and cells (head-and-neck region focus)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cellular-level biological effects",
    "Thermal effects/temperature rise",
    "Pathophysiological effects in tissues",
    "Non-thermal effects (reported in few studies)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This literature review identified 24 studies on millimetre-wave effects (including animal, human, model, and cell studies), reporting ambivalent results with no clear association between specific frequencies and impacts. The review reports that observed effects were mostly mild, reversible, and limited to the cellular level, with temperature rises within safety limits for short exposures, while noting that a few studies reported potentially harmful non-thermal effects that warrant further study.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Literature described as scarce for millimetre-wave effects on tissues",
    "Qualitative synthesis only; no quantitative meta-analysis reported",
    "Search window limited to April 2021 to May 2021",
    "Heterogeneous evidence base (in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, models, humans)",
    "Unclear implications for chronic/continuous lifetime exposure",
    "Non-thermal effects mentioned in only a few studies"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "stance": "concern",
  "stance_confidence": 0.7,
  "summary": "This review searched PubMed and Scopus (April–May 2021) and qualitatively synthesized 24 studies on millimetre waves relevant to 5G and tissues/cells, emphasizing the head-and-neck region. The authors report mixed findings, with most observed effects described as mild, reversible, and limited to cellular changes, and thermal temperature rises within safety limits for short exposures. They also note that a minority of studies reported harmful effects, including some non-thermal effects, and argue that larger, longer-duration clinical studies are needed before widespread deployment.",
  "key_points": [
    "An online search of PubMed and Scopus identified 1269 records, with 24 studies selected for qualitative synthesis.",
    "Included evidence spanned randomized trials and laboratory studies, including in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo designs.",
    "Of the 24 included studies, the review reports 5 animal studies, 4 human studies, 5 model studies, and 10 cell-based studies.",
    "Ten of the 24 studies reportedly demonstrated harmful effects of millimetre waves.",
    "Overall results were described as ambivalent, with no clear link between particular frequencies and observed impacts.",
    "Most reported pathophysiological effects were described as mild, reversible, and limited to the cellular level.",
    "Thermal effects (temperature rise) were reported but described as within safety limits for short exposures.",
    "The authors highlight uncertainty about long-term continuous exposure and call for larger, longer-duration clinical trials, including attention to possible non-thermal effects."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "5G",
    "Millimeter Waves",
    "RF-EMF",
    "Thermal Effects",
    "Head and Neck"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "5G Network",
    "Millimeter Waves",
    "Head And Neck",
    "Human Studies",
    "Animal Studies",
    "In Vitro Studies",
    "Thermal Effects",
    "Temperature Rise",
    "Non-Thermal Effects",
    "Qualitative Evidence Synthesis",
    "Literature Review"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "5G Network",
    "Human tissues",
    "Animal tissues",
    "millimetre waves",
    "head and neck"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Focuses on millimetre waves used in 5G and discusses safety and deployment considerations."
    }
  ],
  "social": {
    "tweet": "Review of 24 studies on 5G millimetre waves and head/neck tissues reports mixed findings: mostly mild, reversible cellular effects and short-exposure heating within safety limits, but some studies report harmful/non-thermal effects; authors call for larger, longer-term trials.",
    "facebook": "A literature review (24 studies) on 5G millimetre waves and head-and-neck tissues finds ambivalent results. Most reported effects were mild and limited to cells, with short-exposure temperature rises within safety limits, but a few studies reported potentially harmful non-thermal effects. The authors recommend larger, longer-duration clinical research before broad deployment.",
    "linkedin": "This literature review synthesized 24 studies on millimetre waves relevant to 5G and head-and-neck tissues. Findings were mixed, with most reported effects described as mild/reversible and limited to cellular changes, and thermal temperature rises within safety limits for short exposures. The authors note limited evidence on non-thermal effects and emphasize the need for larger, longer-duration clinical studies to clarify long-term safety."
  }
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_133_22
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library