5G Health Impact – Fiction or Facts

Inter-Society Technology Panel Session at IMS 2021

Organizers: Abbas Omar, Raafat Mansour, Ke Wu
Panelists: Chung-Kwang Chou, Josh Mitteldoft, Katia Grenier, Christopher M. Collins, James Lin, Rodney Croft
Moderators: Jeffrey Herd
Abstract: With the intention to extend the mobile services to millimeter-wave bands within the framework of 5G, concerns and hopes have been raised both professionally and publically. The main concerns raised by the general public are related to the potential health hazards of human exposure to millimeter-wave radiation and the increased level of electromagnetic (EM) radiation with the full deployment of 5G systems and widespread use of wireless devices. Thermal effects of EM radiations have been well studied. Based on the information provided in the international standards and the substantial body of sciences underpinning them, there is no evidence of harms and issues from 5G when human exposure does not exceed the standards. However, other mechanisms for non-thermal health effects are being questioned. These include, among others, possible DNA changes with consequent gene manipulations and nerve stimulations. Moreover, while models can provide reasonably accurate information about the EM level generated from wireless infrastructure, the actual radiation emitted from antennas mounted on the mast of cell sites may differ from the modeled levels due to the complex nature of the environment. Factors such as multipath scattering and the RF emission from other wireless sources are difficult or impractical to model and predict. The wireless environment with a full deployment of 5G remains to be unknown to many. Experts of various disciplines from multiple IEEE societies will come together and discuss different concerns and expectations related to the health impact of 5G technology.