5G technology: Why should we expect a shift from RF-induced brain cancers to skin cancers?

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1691

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

5G Technology: Why Should We Expect a shift from RF-Induced Brain Cancers to Skin Cancers? Mehdizadeh A R 1, Mortazavi S M J 1,2* Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMCID: PMC6820018 PMID: 31750263 A report published in the New York Times “The 5G Health Hazard, That Isn’t, How one scientist and his inaccurate chart led to unwarranted fears of wireless technology” addressed the controversies over the safety of 5G technology. Unfortunately, the approach of New York Times in this report is not scientific. William J. Broad in his report published July 16, 2019 criticized Dr. Bill P Curry for not considering the so called “protective effect of human skin”. As a consultant and physicist, in 2000 Bill P Curry was invited to study the health risks associated with the use of laptops and wireless networks in 250,000 students in Broward County public schools in Florida. His graph labeled “Microwave Absorption in Brain Tissue (Grey Matter)” showed that electromagnetic fields are “likely to be a serious health hazard.” Broad blames Dr. Curry for not considering the low penetration of high frequencies and hence not paying attention to the shielding effect of the human skin “His analysis failed to recognize the protective effect of human skin. At higher radio frequencies, the skin acts as a barrier, shielding the internal organs, including the brain, from exposure. Human skin blocks the even higher frequencies of sunlight”. It seems that the author believes that as the outermost layer of our epidermis, the outer layer of our skin, is basically dead cells, therefore the living cells in our skin are not damaged by 5G radiofrequency radiation. Given this consideration, this report tries to convince the readers to accept the author’s opinion that exposure to the 5G high frequencies is not a real concern. Moving to ionizing radiation, alpha particle can be a good analogy for this claim. However, the depth of penetration in human tissue (skin, muscle and tissues with high water content) for a frequency of 10 GHz which lies in 5G frequency spectrum is about a few mm. Given this consideration, high frequency 5G radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) easily penetrate living skin cells and can make them severely damaged. Moreover, stating “Human skin blocks the even higher frequencies of sunlight” is misleading the people because although skin blocks the sunlight, this exposure increases the risk of skin cancer. The non-ionizing 5G RF-EMF can behave like high LET ionizing radiations which have the maximum energy deposition per unit distance. Considering the low penetration and very high energy deposition per unit distance of 5G, this can lead to generation of high levels of free radicals in a short distance which in turn increases the risk of skin cancer. It’s worth noting that Yakymenko et al. have reported that among 100 peer-reviewed studies regarding the oxidative effects of low-intensity radiofrequency radiation that were available at the time of their study, in general, 93 confirmed that radiofrequency radiation induced oxidative effects in biological systems [1]. Oxidative stress necessarily doesn’t increase the chance of cancer. Although direct damage to DNA can be considered a key event, it is not sufficient alone to cause cancer because the ability of oxygen radicals and other reactive species (RS) to suppress apoptosis, and promote proliferation, invasiveness and metastasis and even angiogenesis should also be taken into account [2]. Regarding the safety of 5G, it should be noted that like earlier technologies (3G and 4G), a threshold level for detrimental effects is expected. Major shortcomings of the reports claiming no link between exposure to RF-EMF and brain cancer have been already addressed [3-6]. Furthermore, the key parameter of the large difference in the levels of RF-EMFs exposures in different studies has been introduced as the origin of some of the current controversies regarding the relationship between mobile phone usage and cancer [7]. Given this consideration, a nonlinear J-shaped dose-response relationship for the carcinogenesis of nonionizing RF-EMF is introduced. This J-shaped dose-response relationship easily explains why it is unlikely to detect brain cancers induced by exposure to RF-EMF at low levels. Moreover, a J-shaped dose-response relationship reduces the irrational fear of the risks associated with RF-EMF exposures at very low levels (e.g. people who use their mobile phones occasionally). New studies support our previously proposed J-shaped dose-response relationship and show even hormetic effects at low levels while at high levels an irreversible damage and hence increased risk of cancer would be possible [8]. To investigate whether RF-EMFs are genotoxic, Sun et al. compared the effects of 1,800 MHz RF-EMF exposure on genomic DNA in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with proficient (Atm+/+) or deficient (Atm−/−) ATM. They reported that their observations were similar to the hermetic effects of low doses of toxic substances “In conclusion, we report a hormesis-like effect of 1,800 MHz RF-EMF exposure on DNA damage in Atm+/+ and Atm−/− MEFs” [9]. In summary, although 5G technology brings new risks, it should be noted that regarding mobile phone use and cancer, the level of exposure is a factor that really matters.

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

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 30% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review discusses the potential shift in cancer risk from brain cancers to skin cancers with 5G exposure due to higher frequency RF-EMF having low penetration but high energy deposition in skin cells, possibly increasing oxidative stress and skin cancer risk. It also highlights a proposed nonlinear J-shaped dose-response relationship for RF-EMF carcinogenesis, with hormetic effects at low exposure levels and increased risk at high levels.

Outcomes measured

oxidative stress
DNA damage
cancer risk (brain and skin)

Limitations

No original experimental data presented
Relies on interpretation of existing studies and theoretical considerations
Uncertainty about actual exposure levels and thresholds for effects

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "5G technology",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "oxidative stress",
    "DNA damage",
    "cancer risk (brain and skin)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review discusses the potential shift in cancer risk from brain cancers to skin cancers with 5G exposure due to higher frequency RF-EMF having low penetration but high energy deposition in skin cells, possibly increasing oxidative stress and skin cancer risk. It also highlights a proposed nonlinear J-shaped dose-response relationship for RF-EMF carcinogenesis, with hormetic effects at low exposure levels and increased risk at high levels.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No original experimental data presented",
    "Relies on interpretation of existing studies and theoretical considerations",
    "Uncertainty about actual exposure levels and thresholds for effects"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.3,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "skin cancer",
    "brain cancer",
    "oxidative stress",
    "dose-response",
    "hormesis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Focus on health risks and safety considerations of 5G technology"
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.7,
      "reason": "Discussion of RF exposure and cancer risk relevant to international guidelines"
    }
  ]
}

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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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