Evidence for a connection between coronavirus disease-19 and exposure to radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications including 5G

2021 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 970

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2021

Study typereview

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Evidence for a connection between coronavirus disease-19 and exposure to radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications including 5G My comments: If there is a connection between the Covid-19 pandemic and wireless communication radiation (WCR) due to impaired immune system response, it is likely attributable to the population's total EMF exposure including ELF EMF as well as WCR (e.g., 2G-5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth). 5G is not universally available and is only partially deployed in locations that have this infrastructure. Moreover, since 5G operates a fraction of the time and depends heavily on 4G communication now, I suspect that densification of 4G via small cell deployment is more likely to be problematic than 5G. Beverly Rubik, Robert R Brown. Evidence for a connection between coronavirus disease-19 and exposure to radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications including 5G. J Clin Transl Res. 2021 Sep 29;7(5):666- 681. Abstract Background and aim: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) public health policy has focused on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and its effects on human health while environmental factors have been largely ignored. In considering the epidemiological triad (agent-host-environment) applicable to all disease, we investigated a possible environmental factor in the COVID-19 pandemic: ambient radiofrequency radiation from wireless communication systems including microwaves and millimeter waves. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, surfaced in Wuhan, China shortly after the implementation of city-wide (fifth generation [5G] of wireless communications radiation [WCR]), and rapidly spread globally, initially demonstrating a statistical correlation to international communities with recently established 5G networks. In this study, we examined the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the detrimental bioeffects of WCR and identified several mechanisms by which WCR may have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a toxic environmental cofactor. By crossing boundaries between the disciplines of biophysics and pathophysiology, we present evidence that WCR may: (1) cause morphologic changes in erythrocytes including echinocyte and rouleaux formation that can contribute to hypercoagulation; (2) impair microcirculation and reduce erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels exacerbating hypoxia; (3) amplify immune system dysfunction, including immunosuppression, autoimmunity, and hyperinflammation; (4) increase cellular oxidative stress and the production of free radicals resulting in vascular injury and organ damage; (5) increase intracellular Ca2+ essential for viral entry, replication, and release, in addition to promoting pro-inflammatory pathways; and (6) worsen heart arrhythmias and cardiac disorders. Relevance for patients: In short, WCR has become a ubiquitous environmental stressor that we propose may have contributed to adverse health outcomes of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and increased the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we recommend that all people, particularly those suffering from SARS-CoV- 2 infection, reduce their exposure to WCR as much as reasonably achievable until further research better clarifies the systemic health effects associated with chronic WCR exposure. Excerpts Epidemiologists, including those at the CDC, consider multiple causal factors when evaluating the virulence of an agent and understanding its ability to spread and cause disease. Most importantly, these variables include environmental cofactors and the health status of the host. Evidence from the literature summarized here suggests a possible connection between several adverse health effects of WCR exposure and the clinical course of COVID-19 in that WCR may have worsened the COVID-19 pandemic by weakening the host and exacerbating COVID-19 disease. However, none of the observations discussed here prove this linkage. Specifically, the evidence does not confirm causation. Clearly COVID-19 occurs in regions with little wireless communication. Furthermore, the relative morbidity caused by WCR exposure in COVID-19 is unknown.... Another shortcoming of this paper is that we do not have access to experimental data on 5G exposures. In fact, little is known about population exposure from real-world WCR, which includes exposure to WCR infrastructure and the plethora of WCR emitting devices. In relation to this, it is difficult to accurately quantify the average power density at a given location, which varies greatly, depending on the time, specific location, time-averaging interval, frequency, and modulation scheme. For a specific municipality it depends on the antenna density, which network protocols are used, as, for example, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), DECT (Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), and RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging). There is also WCR from ubiquitous radio wave transmitters, including antennas, base stations, smart meters, mobile phones, routers, satellites, and other wireless devices currently in use. All of these signals superimpose to yield the total average power density at a given location that typically fluctuates greatly over time. No experimental studies on adverse health effects or safety issues of 5G have been reported, and none are currently planned by the industry, although this is sorely needed.... This paper points to the need for further research on nonthermal WCR exposure and its potential role in COVID- 19. Moreover, some of the WCR exposure bioeffects that we discuss here — oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune system disruption — are common to many chronic diseases, including autoimmune disease and diabetes. Thus, we hypothesize that WCR exposure may also be a potential contributing factor in many chronic diseases.... Conclusion There is a substantial overlap in pathobiology between COVID-19 and WCR exposure. The evidence presented here indicates that mechanisms involved in the clinical progression of COVID-19 could also be generated, according to experimental data, by WCR exposure. Therefore, we propose a link between adverse bioeffects of WCR exposure from wireless devices and COVID-19. Specifically, evidence presented here supports a premise that WCR and, in particular, 5G, which involves densification of 4G, may have exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic by weakening host immunity and increasing SARS-CoV-2 virulence by (1) causing morphologic changes in erythrocytes including echinocyte and rouleaux formation that may be contributing to hypercoagulation; (2) impairing microcirculation and reducing erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels exacerbating hypoxia; (3) amplifying immune dysfunction, including immunosuppression, autoimmunity, and hyperinflammation; (4) increasing cellular oxidative stress and the production of free radicals exacerbating vascular injury and organ damage; (5) increasing intracellular Ca2+ essential for viral entry, replication, and release, in addition to promoting pro-inflammatory pathways; and (6) worsening heart arrhythmias and cardiac disorders. WCR exposure is a widespread, yet often neglected, environmental stressor that can produce a wide range of adverse bioeffects. For decades, independent research scientists worldwide have emphasized the health risks and cumulative damage caused by WCR [42,45]. The evidence presented here is consistent with a large body of established research. Healthcare workers and policymakers should consider WCR a potentially toxic environmental stressor. Methods for reducing WCR exposure should be provided to all patients and the general population. 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 directionharm

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This narrative review argues that ambient radiofrequency radiation from wireless communication systems (including 5G) may have acted as an environmental cofactor that could worsen COVID-19 outcomes via multiple proposed biological mechanisms (e.g., oxidative stress, immune disruption, erythrocyte changes, and calcium signaling). The authors state that the observations discussed do not prove causation and note limited information on real-world population exposure and a lack of experimental data specifically on 5G exposures.

Outcomes measured

COVID-19 severity (proposed)
immune dysfunction (immunosuppression, autoimmunity, hyperinflammation)
oxidative stress and free radical production
erythrocyte morphology changes (echinocytes, rouleaux) and hypercoagulation (proposed)
microcirculation impairment and hypoxia-related parameters (erythrocytes/hemoglobin) (proposed)
intracellular Ca2+ changes (proposed relevance to viral entry/replication)
arrhythmias and cardiac disorders (proposed)

Limitations

Narrative review proposing mechanisms rather than presenting new experimental or epidemiologic data
Authors state the evidence discussed does not confirm causation
Notes that COVID-19 occurs in regions with little wireless communication
Lack of experimental data on 5G exposures, and limited knowledge about real-world population exposure levels
Difficulty quantifying ambient power density due to variability by time, location, frequency, modulation, and network protocols

View raw extracted JSON

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  "publication_year": null,
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless communications including 5G (also mentions 2G-4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, base stations and devices)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
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  "outcomes": [
    "COVID-19 severity (proposed)",
    "immune dysfunction (immunosuppression, autoimmunity, hyperinflammation)",
    "oxidative stress and free radical production",
    "erythrocyte morphology changes (echinocytes, rouleaux) and hypercoagulation (proposed)",
    "microcirculation impairment and hypoxia-related parameters (erythrocytes/hemoglobin) (proposed)",
    "intracellular Ca2+ changes (proposed relevance to viral entry/replication)",
    "arrhythmias and cardiac disorders (proposed)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This narrative review argues that ambient radiofrequency radiation from wireless communication systems (including 5G) may have acted as an environmental cofactor that could worsen COVID-19 outcomes via multiple proposed biological mechanisms (e.g., oxidative stress, immune disruption, erythrocyte changes, and calcium signaling). The authors state that the observations discussed do not prove causation and note limited information on real-world population exposure and a lack of experimental data specifically on 5G exposures.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative review proposing mechanisms rather than presenting new experimental or epidemiologic data",
    "Authors state the evidence discussed does not confirm causation",
    "Notes that COVID-19 occurs in regions with little wireless communication",
    "Lack of experimental data on 5G exposures, and limited knowledge about real-world population exposure levels",
    "Difficulty quantifying ambient power density due to variability by time, location, frequency, modulation, and network protocols"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "stance": "concern",
  "stance_confidence": 0.86,
  "summary": "This paper is a narrative review proposing that radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications (including 5G) may have contributed to worse COVID-19 outcomes as a toxic environmental cofactor. It summarizes literature on reported bioeffects of wireless communication radiation and suggests overlapping mechanisms with COVID-19 pathobiology (e.g., oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, erythrocyte changes, and calcium signaling). The authors emphasize that the discussed observations do not prove causation and highlight limited data on real-world exposure and on 5G-specific experimental studies.",
  "key_points": [
    "The authors review peer-reviewed literature on detrimental bioeffects of wireless communication radiation and relate these to COVID-19 pathophysiology.",
    "They propose that wireless communication radiation could worsen COVID-19 via mechanisms including oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and vascular injury.",
    "They suggest possible effects on erythrocyte morphology and microcirculation that could contribute to hypoxia and hypercoagulation.",
    "They discuss intracellular Ca2+ changes as potentially relevant to viral entry, replication, and inflammatory pathways.",
    "They report an initial statistical correlation between early COVID-19 spread and communities with recently established 5G networks, while noting this does not establish causation.",
    "They acknowledge limited knowledge of real-world population exposure and state there are no experimental studies on adverse health effects or safety issues of 5G reported.",
    "They recommend reducing exposure to wireless communication radiation as much as reasonably achievable pending further research."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "RF Health Effects",
    "5G",
    "Mechanisms",
    "COVID-19"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "5G",
    "Wireless Communication Radiation",
    "Radiofrequency Radiation",
    "Millimeter Waves",
    "Oxidative Stress",
    "Immune Dysfunction",
    "Erythrocytes",
    "Hypercoagulation",
    "Microcirculation",
    "Intracellular Calcium",
    "Arrhythmias",
    "COVID-19"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "COVID-19",
    "SARS-CoV-2",
    "wireless communications radiation",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "5G",
    "microwaves",
    "millimeter waves",
    "oxidative stress",
    "immune system dysfunction",
    "erythrocyte morphology",
    "microcirculation",
    "Ca2+"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Focuses on 5G and argues for precautionary exposure reduction and policy consideration."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Discusses safety issues and calls for research on nonthermal effects, which relates to guideline debates."
    }
  ],
  "social": {
    "tweet": "Review paper proposes wireless communication RF exposure (including 5G) could act as an environmental cofactor worsening COVID-19 via mechanisms like oxidative stress and immune dysregulation, while noting it does not prove causation and that 5G-specific experimental data are lacking.",
    "facebook": "A narrative review suggests radiofrequency radiation from wireless communications (including 5G) may overlap with biological pathways involved in COVID-19 severity (e.g., oxidative stress, immune dysfunction). The authors emphasize the evidence does not establish causation and highlight limited data on real-world exposure and 5G-specific studies.",
    "linkedin": "This review examines literature on reported bioeffects of wireless communication RF exposure and proposes potential mechanistic overlap with COVID-19 pathobiology. It stresses that causation is not established and notes major evidence gaps, including limited real-world exposure characterization and lack of 5G-specific experimental data."
  }
}

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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.

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DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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