Possible health effects on the human brain by various generations of mobile telecommunication: a review based estimation of 5G impact

International journal of radiation biology · 2022 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 912

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Possible health effects on the human brain by various generations of mobile telecommunication: a review based estimation of 5G impact Hiie Hinrikus, Tarmo Koppel, Jaanus Lass, Hans Orru, Priit Roosipuu, Maie Bachmann. Possible health effects on the human brain by various generations of mobile telecommunication: a review based estimation of 5G impact. Int J Radiat Biol. 2022 Jan 7;1-48. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2026516. Abstract Purpose: The deployment of new 5G NR technology has significantly raised public concerns in possible negative effects on human health by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF). The current review is aimed to clarify the differences between possible health effects caused by the various generations of telecommunication technology, especially discussing and projecting possible health effects by 5G. The review of experimental studies on the human brain over the last fifteen years and the discussion on physical mechanisms and factors determining the dependence of the RF EMF effects on frequency and signal structure have been performed to discover and explain the possible distinctions between health effects by different telecommunication generations. Conclusions: The human experimental studies on RF EMF effects on the human brain by 2G, 3G and 4G at frequencies from 450 to 2500 MHz were available for analyses. The search for publications indicated no human experimental studies by 5G nor at the RF EMF frequencies higher than 2500 MHz. The results of the current review demonstrate no consistent relationship between the character of RF EMF effects and parameters of exposure by different generations (2G, 3G, 4G) of telecommunication technology. At the RF EMF frequencies lower than 10 GHz, the impact of 5G NR FR1 should have no principal differences compared to the previous generations. The radio frequencies used in 5G are even higher and the penetration depths of the fields are smaller, therefore the effect is rather lower than at previous generations. At the RF EMF frequencies higher than 10 GHz, the mechanism of the effects might differ and the impact of 5G NR FR2 becomes unpredictable. Existing knowledge about the mechanism of RF EMF effects at millimeter waves lacks sufficient experimental data and theoretical models for reliable conclusions. The insufficient knowledge about the possible health effects at millimeter waves and the lack of in vivo experimental studies on 5G NR underline an urgent need for the theoretical and experimental investigations of health effects by 5G NR, especially by 5G NR FR2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 (experimental studies on the human brain)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human experimental studies on RF-EMF effects on the human brain were available for 2G/3G/4G exposures at 450–2500 MHz, but the search found no human experimental studies for 5G or for frequencies >2500 MHz. The review reports no consistent relationship between reported RF-EMF effects and exposure parameters across 2G/3G/4G. It concludes that for <10 GHz, 5G NR FR1 should have no principal differences compared with previous generations and may have lower effects due to smaller penetration depth, while for >10 GHz (FR2) effects are described as unpredictable due to insufficient experimental data and theoretical models.

Outcomes measured

Human brain effects (unspecified)
Possible health effects on human health (brain-focused)

Limitations

No human experimental studies identified for 5G NR exposures
No human experimental studies identified at RF frequencies higher than 2500 MHz
Insufficient experimental data and theoretical models for millimeter-wave mechanisms; reliable conclusions not possible

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Humans (experimental studies on the human brain)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Human brain effects (unspecified)",
    "Possible health effects on human health (brain-focused)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human experimental studies on RF-EMF effects on the human brain were available for 2G/3G/4G exposures at 450–2500 MHz, but the search found no human experimental studies for 5G or for frequencies >2500 MHz. The review reports no consistent relationship between reported RF-EMF effects and exposure parameters across 2G/3G/4G. It concludes that for <10 GHz, 5G NR FR1 should have no principal differences compared with previous generations and may have lower effects due to smaller penetration depth, while for >10 GHz (FR2) effects are described as unpredictable due to insufficient experimental data and theoretical models.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No human experimental studies identified for 5G NR exposures",
    "No human experimental studies identified at RF frequencies higher than 2500 MHz",
    "Insufficient experimental data and theoretical models for millimeter-wave mechanisms; reliable conclusions not possible"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "5G NR",
    "FR1",
    "FR2",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF EMF",
    "millimeter waves",
    "human brain",
    "2G",
    "3G",
    "4G",
    "penetration depth"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Review explicitly evaluates and projects possible health effects of 5G NR (FR1/FR2) and highlights evidence gaps."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2026516
PubMed: 34995145

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