RF Safe

Exposure to 5G-NR electromagnetic fields affects larval development of Aedes aegypti mosquito

Sci Rep · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2466

Aedes aegypti larvae exposed to 3.6 GHz RF-EMF for 5 days showed slowed development at a lower exposure level (46.2 V/m; 1.2 W absorbed), particularly under a nutritionally weakened feeding regime, while well-nourished larvae were largely unaffected. At a hig…

Study snapshot

PublicationSci Rep · 2025
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Environmental Health, Entomology Tags: 5G, electromagnetic fields, Aedes aegypti, larval development, insect health, RF-EMF, biological effects DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-32816-y URL: nature.com Overview Telecommunication networks, including 5G New Radio (5G-NR), emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) which can lead to widespread exposure among insects. To evaluate the biological impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure, this study focused on the larval development of Aedes aegypti, a key vector for dengue and other pathogens. The larvae were exposed to RF-EMFs at 3.6 GHz using a custom-designed and characterized reverberation chamber. Dosimetry was conducted through numerical simulations to quantify the absorbed doses during exposure. Findings - Two feeding regimes, varying in nutritional value, were used with larvae exposed for 5 days. - At a lower RF exposure level (46.2 V/m and 1.2 W absorbed), development was notably slowed, especially in nutritionally weakened larvae, while well-nourished larvae remained largely unaffected. - At a higher exposure level (182.6 V/m and 18.7 W absorbed), dielectric heating altered development timing and reduced adult size, indicating significant thermal effects. - Neither mortality rates nor wing length asymmetry were affected by RF-EMF exposure, across both exposure levels. Conclusion Although aquatic invertebrates are unlikely to naturally encounter RF-EMF levels high enough to cause developmental effects, this research clearly demonstrates that such exposures can induce delayed development and thermal (dielectric heating) effects in larvae. These findings establish a foundation for setting safety thresholds and understanding the dose-response relationship for developmental effects of RF-EMF in insects. It is important to note the connection between EMF exposure and developmental changes, supporting the need for further research and considered safety guidelines.

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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationAedes aegypti larvae
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 3600 MHz · 5 days
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Aedes aegypti larvae exposed to 3.6 GHz RF-EMF for 5 days showed slowed development at a lower exposure level (46.2 V/m; 1.2 W absorbed), particularly under a nutritionally weakened feeding regime, while well-nourished larvae were largely unaffected. At a higher exposure level (182.6 V/m; 18.7 W absorbed), dielectric heating altered development timing and reduced adult size. Mortality and wing length asymmetry were not affected at either exposure level.

Outcomes measured

  • larval development timing
  • adult size
  • mortality
  • wing length asymmetry

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Absorbed dose reported as total absorbed power (W) rather than SAR (W/kg) in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure conditions used a custom reverberation chamber; generalizability to natural environmental exposures is not established in the provided abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "5G-NR",
    "frequency_mhz": 3600,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5 days"
  },
  "population": "Aedes aegypti larvae",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "larval development timing",
    "adult size",
    "mortality",
    "wing length asymmetry"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Aedes aegypti larvae exposed to 3.6 GHz RF-EMF for 5 days showed slowed development at a lower exposure level (46.2 V/m; 1.2 W absorbed), particularly under a nutritionally weakened feeding regime, while well-nourished larvae were largely unaffected. At a higher exposure level (182.6 V/m; 18.7 W absorbed), dielectric heating altered development timing and reduced adult size. Mortality and wing length asymmetry were not affected at either exposure level.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Absorbed dose reported as total absorbed power (W) rather than SAR (W/kg) in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure conditions used a custom reverberation chamber; generalizability to natural environmental exposures is not established in the provided abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G-NR",
    "RF-EMF",
    "3.6 GHz",
    "Aedes aegypti",
    "larval development",
    "reverberation chamber",
    "dosimetry",
    "dielectric heating",
    "thermal effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study explicitly evaluates biological effects of 5G-NR (3.6 GHz) exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1038/s41598-025-32816-y
PubMed: Not supplied

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