Assessment of 5G RF-EMF Exposure during Large-Scale Public Events via Field Measurements

IEEE Access · 2025 · No effect · Low evidence

← Research stream

No effectLow evidencePaper 2556

Study snapshot

PublicationIEEE Access · 2025

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Tags: 5G, RF-EMF, public exposure, power density, field measurements, temporal variability, event studies DOI: 10.1109/access.2025.3602263 URL: ieeexplore.ieee.org Overview The development of Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile networks has raised public concern regarding human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Key 5G features such as higher operating frequencies, broader bandwidths, beamforming, and traffic-dependent signal variability significantly influence RF-EMF exposure dynamics. Although many studies have assessed EMF levels induced by specific base stations under controlled user traffic, little empirical data are available on population-wide 5G environmental exposure across diverse scenarios. Findings - This study addresses the knowledge gap via field measurements during a large public festival in Valencia, Spain, and a baseline day prior to the event. - Downlink signals from the 700 MHz and 3500 MHz 5G bands were measured across Spain's three major network operators. - Five different locations surrounding the event venue were chosen to capture the effect of measurement location. - Two measurement durations (6 minutes and 30 minutes) were analyzed to assess temporal dynamics. - During the event, the power density in the 3500 MHz band increased by up to a factor of eight compared to baseline conditions. - A 30-minute continuous measurement revealed an approximately 30% higher average power density compared to the 6-minute snapshot. - All recorded exposure levels were significantly below international safety limits, even under high-demand conditions. Conclusion These findings confirm that 5G RF-EMF environmental exposure remains within accepted safety guidelines, even during large-scale public events. The results also highlight the importance of considering the location of measurements and temporal variability in assessing public EMF exposure.

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 typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 6 minutes and 30 minutes (measurement durations); event day vs baseline day

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Field measurements around a large public festival in Valencia, Spain found that 5G downlink power density in the 3500 MHz band increased by up to a factor of eight during the event versus a baseline day. A 30-minute continuous measurement produced ~30% higher average power density than a 6-minute snapshot. All recorded exposure levels were reported to be significantly below international safety limits, including under high-demand conditions.

Outcomes measured

Power density (5G downlink)
Temporal variability of measured exposure
Spatial variability by measurement location
Comparison to international safety limits

Limitations

Specific numeric exposure values are not provided in the abstract.
Only one event setting (a festival in Valencia, Spain) is described, which may limit generalizability.
The abstract does not describe measurement instrumentation, protocols, or uncertainty/quality control details.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "5G mobile network (downlink)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 minutes and 30 minutes (measurement durations); event day vs baseline day"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Power density (5G downlink)",
    "Temporal variability of measured exposure",
    "Spatial variability by measurement location",
    "Comparison to international safety limits"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Field measurements around a large public festival in Valencia, Spain found that 5G downlink power density in the 3500 MHz band increased by up to a factor of eight during the event versus a baseline day. A 30-minute continuous measurement produced ~30% higher average power density than a 6-minute snapshot. All recorded exposure levels were reported to be significantly below international safety limits, including under high-demand conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Specific numeric exposure values are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Only one event setting (a festival in Valencia, Spain) is described, which may limit generalizability.",
    "The abstract does not describe measurement instrumentation, protocols, or uncertainty/quality control details."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "RF-EMF",
    "public exposure",
    "power density",
    "field measurements",
    "temporal variability",
    "700 MHz",
    "3500 MHz",
    "downlink",
    "festival",
    "Valencia",
    "Spain",
    "safety limits"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.72,
      "reason": "Study measures 5G environmental exposure (700/3500 MHz) and compares levels to international safety limits."
    }
  ]
}

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: 10.1109/access.2025.3602263
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library