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The Effect of 5G Mobile Networks on Health5G technologies are a growing trend in today’s world, which has gained worldwide popularity and…
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Radiation Risks of RadiofrequenciesOver the years, radiation exposure has raised a serious threat to health hazards, raising concerns…
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LATEST NEWS & ARTICLES
The Effect of 5G Mobile Networks on Health
5G technologies are a growing trend in today’s world, which has gained worldwide popularity and is subjected to equal criticism. The 5g network works in the radio frequency of the visible spectrum, and the sources of this radiation are below the human exposure limits.
5G refers to the 5th generation technology, which is marked as an exceptional revolution from the 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. These networks produce electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency, which are used in transmitting the information. According to recent research, mobile phones are an extensive mode of communication that poses serious health effects on humans and animals. However, the standard for these is set by the respective countries, based on the radiation level and technology use.
5th generation mobile technologies
Mobiles, tablets, and others use wireless technologies, which are the basic mood of communication in everyday life. It is also the mode for information transfer from one device to another, which is used in everyday life.
The introduction of the 5G technologies has evolved the era of mobile internet expanding areas like m-Health, m-learning, and mobile money. Moreover, according to ITM 2020, it has opened a new era for self-driving cars, intelligent systems, 3D video and audio networks, and other remote control devices which also work on augmented reality.
Effect on human health
Although the popularity of mobile technologies has grown over the years, the concerns for which have also risen over time. It could cause potential health risks as they work in the radio frequency and other ranges which are not advisable to humans.
The 3g, 4g, and 5G networks produce radio frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, which are the primary way to transmit information from one device to another. Although the emf fields have been around every device since the birth of the universe, it is essential to note that humans can be harmful when subjected to certain radiation levels. For instance, the radio frequency can range from 10 to 300 GHz, and when it reaches the maximum stage, it can cause a potential health hazard to people.
However, other groups of scientists argue that despite the extensive studies conducted on radio frequencies’ effect for decades, no harmful impacts or health risks are recorded in humans. They also state the lack of evidence of the harmful effects of emf on people’s health.
ITUs’ contribution to regulating exposure
The ITUs do not set the maximum levels of exposure in public and private places but are taken care of by the competent bodies of the unit. Sovereign countries also set their standards for emf released from devices. However, the two central bodies that govern the rules are:
- The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Building Sustainable 5G Networks
The urgency to curb the effects of global warming has never been more apparent. Over the years, there has been a rise of at least 2.7 degrees Celsius in the earth’s temperature, which has significantly impacted the social, economic, and other catastrophic social impacts. The ITC sector plays a significant role in building sustainable choices in diminishing the effects of global warming. Although they account for only 1.4% of global gas emissions, they can reduce the overall emissions by 15% by 2030. They can also indirectly support another 35% by promoting other sustainable businesses and people.
The latest 5G cellular technology holds immense potential in breaking the historic cycle usage of coal, petroleum, and natural gas, increasing with each generation. In this article, we will discuss Ericsson’s four pillars which increase the energy network performance. They are:
Modernizing the network
One of the best ways to save energy and decrease the damage caused by harmful radio frequency is to modernize the equipment that induces the source. In addition, upgrading the equipment will help decrease the physical footprints, which can significantly further save the energy budget invested in the device and the technology needed to improve the fifth-generation network.
Building 5G technology with precision
One of the best ways to enhance the use of technology with precision is to optimize the network performance by using energy-efficient methods. This not only helps in controlling the costs of manufacturing but will also help in reducing carbon footprints. In addition, the automation process will also help reduce deployment costs, thereby reducing the load on the environment and balancing resources.
Activating the energy-saving software
Energy-saving equipment is the key to managing the efficient use of 5G networks. For instance, Vodafone reduced its energy consumption in Portugal but still managed to meet all the performance requirements by putting the networks that received low traffic to sleep. Therefore, the MIMO sleep mode optimization can be applied using the Ericsson principle to this rule. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms can also be used to train the four different weeks of traffic data and rectify and identify their patterns. This technology is already under implementation in many IoT projects like smart cities, smart homes, etc.
Operating site infrastructure intelligently
The full energy-saving potential of a 5G network can be achieved by site infrastructure equipment for passive elements to control things like the antenna, climate, and other security systems. Using the Ai infrastructure can be managed efficiently, which also helps reduce maintenance visits. By applying intelligent site management strategies, people can bring the data together and visualize it by providing access anywhere. This data can be utilized further as a roadmap for all future expansions and a trademark for long-term resource planning.
The 5G Revolution: How will it affect the Environment?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, people learned a valuable lesson that they could not stay without smartphones and gadgets. The internet remained a crucial aspect of their lives during this time, from buying groceries to watching new movies, telehealth, and medical services. Everything was available on the internet. However, this experience of the people diversified when the countries quickly moved to the latest generation of today’s technology – the 5G technology.
The mere promise of 5G
For every ten years, the world has consistently faced a drastic technological shift, which changes yearly. From 1G in the 1980s to 5G, which began its deployment in 2019, the world has seen significant improvement. The fifth-generation technology provides a reliable communication mode and enhanced broadband solutions for all cell phones and digital gadgets. Since it has low latency (delay in the communication), it provides more capacity due to the use of fewer frequencies in the spectrum. This technology feature spread like wildfire and made it possible to spread the technology worldwide. It can be applied almost anywhere, from intelligent cars to sensors and machine-to-machine communications.
How can 5G help the Environment?
The invention of 5G technology is a boon to protect and preserve the Environment. It is also one of the main points of attraction for delivering intelligent cities using IoT technologies. In addition to this, some of the other benefits include:
- Reducing water pollution
- Diminishing the number of greenhouse gases
- Minimizing the amount of sewage water
- Protecting wildlife
- Understand the weather
- Enhancing waste reduction, and many more
Potential negative impacts on the Environment
Despite the benefits of the 5G technologies, certain demerits are due to radiation and other such factors, which will harm humans and animals. In addition to this, the manufacture of this technology means building new infrastructure with a multitude of different devices, which leads to the following negative impacts:
- Further energy consumption and emission: According to statistics, information and communication technology accounts for almost four percent of global warming due to carbon emissions and radiation from electronic devices.
- Life cycle impacts: This talks about the post-carbon economy, which does not include power generation and gas, whose energy consumption increases by 9 percent yearly.
- E-waste: When consumers worldwide start consuming networks from 5G phones, it will increase the carbon footprint and enhance the E-waste to an enormous amount which can cause many global problems to the neighborhood and the Environment.
Sustainable 5G methods
Some strategies can be implied to lessen harmful environmental impacts and make the technology more sustainable. Doing so will not only protect the Environment, but it will also help in increasing the capability of the network Here are some of them:
- Decarbonization
- Efficient cooling methods
- Biodegradable sensors
- Recycling toxic materials
- Network sharing; and many more
Radiation Risks of Radiofrequencies
Over the years, radiation exposure has raised a serious threat to health hazards, raising concerns of the public, policymakers, and certain health researchers. World War II marked the beginning of the radar war, with human exposure to all the radiations radio frequencies, which has only substantially grown over time. The recent large-scale carcinogen studies on rodents have also proved their exposure to the RFR. The study also proved the presence of malignant gliomas and frequent chromosomal damage.
Many experimental studies have also proven that when cell phones and radiation from other devices are exposed to the RFR rays, they cause local brain damage in children. Also, men who keep their cell phones in their pockets cause a lower sperm count and significantly low sperm mortality.
Carcinogenicity
According to reports of 1998, the ICNIRP has no solid evidence on the causes and effects of adverse biological conditions caused by radiations from radio frequencies. However, in contrast to these reports, in 2011, the IARC mentioned that the radiation might have possible human carcinogens in their system.
Many case-control studies on exposure to cell phones, particularly the exposure to electromagnetic waves from the cell phone, caused glioma and critical cases of acoustic neuroma. In addition, in epidemiological studies, many cases have expressed concerns about developing skin and other diseases due to constant exposure to radiation from cell phones and other emitting devices.
Reproduction and children
Due to radio frequency exposure, many of them are constantly exposed to developing infertility in young adults. Also, based on many case studies conducted on this topic, RDR exposure is most problematic to the pediatric population. The constant addiction to cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices is also a part of the significant problem of the risks caused due to radiofrequency radiation.
In the last three years, over 32 countries and governmental bodies have issued various policies and other health recommendations concerning exposure to RFR. The US has a limit of exposure from 81 to 83, while the Public schools have an exposure of 84. The application of Wi-fi has also been removed in some US schools, and any building with an RDR greater than 84 will be banned from entering the building or bringing their cell phones and other electronic devices.
Many government institutions have also started monetizing data to analyze the potential links between cancer and wireless technologies. Unfortunately, most of these effects jot down the harmful radiofrequency radiation released by cell phones and other gadgets. Hence, the necessary precautions and cautionary measures should always be taken to protect oneself against such harmful radiation. The IARC also works constantly to create new groups to categorize and include scientific findings in their research and diminish the effects of RFR as much as possible.
Hazards Associated with Radio-Frequency Radiation from Cell Phones
Our generation is heavily reliant on technology. Cell phones and other wireless devices are widely used worldwide, whether for personal or professional purposes, and contact with radio-frequency radiation (RFR) is commonplace, even in public areas. This article discusses the most on health hazards associated with RFR exposure, which falls within the non-ionizing range of frequency. While the impacts on human health are the main subject of this article, there is evidence that RFR may have physiological or morphological consequences on bees, plants, and trees as well.
Biological impacts
RF radiation exposure can have biological impacts. The term “thermal” impacts are frequently used to describe health impacts that come from heating tissue with RF energy. Because RF can heat biological tissue quickly, it has long been known that radiation to very high amounts of RF can be detrimental. A high enough dose of RF radiation has a thermal impact, which means it increases body temperature. There are worries that the RF radiation that mobile phones emit, even at low rates, could lead to migraines or aches.
High RF exposure levels have the potential to heat biological tissue and raise body temperature. The body’s inadequacy to handle or remove the extra heat that can be produced by high RF exposure in humans could result in tissue damage. Due to the relative dearth of accessible blood flow to disperse the extra heat load, the testicles and the eyes are two body parts that are particularly susceptible to RF heating.
Electromagnetic interference
Some medical devices, such as implantable defibrillators, pacemakers, and specific hearing aids, may experience interference if mobiles are used in close proximity to them. For 3G cellphones and newer technology, the risk is significantly decreased. Additionally, there is a chance that mobile phone signals could interfere with the electronics of an airplane. Using mechanisms that limit the phone’s output power, some nations have legalized the use of mobile phones while flying.
Preventive measures
Research has largely focused on the potential impacts of cell phone exposure because access to the radiofrequency (RF) radiated by these devices is typically more than a thousand times higher than that from base stations, and any negative effects are more likely to be caused by handsets. To minimize radio frequency exposure close to your body:
- Purchase a hands-free earpiece or headset that is directly compatible with your phone.
- Make more use of the speakerphone.
- Some pacemakers used to have their operation hampered by RF. Contact your healthcare practitioner if you possess a pacemaker and are worried about how using a cell phone can harm it.
- To reduce exposure to radio frequencies, keep your mobile phone at least three feet far from your bed.
- If you don’t use the alarm function on your phone, turn it off before bed. Switch on Airplane Mode on your phone.
What is 5G? What are the Benefits of 5G?
The term 5G is not alien anymore. From tech geeks to laypeople, everyone is aware of the term 5G. It is the beginning of a unique path to innovation that has the capability to brighten our technological future. In this article, let us understand what exactly is 5G technology and learn the benefits of the same.
What exactly is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile technology, the latest in mobile networks. When compared to 1g, 2g, 3g, and 4g networks, 5g has the following benefits:
- It offers a high-peak data solution
- High-speed internet
- Expected reliability
- Low latency
- Seamless user experience
- Empowers virtual connectivity
The technology is invested by keeping the future in mind to run highly connected machines, gadgets, and other objects. It is not just limited to conveying messages from one machine to another. The 5g network can also open many other options, including various use cases to implement technologies like the Internet of Things and others.
Specific portable environments can also be expanded into new domains with the help of the fast-speed, latent network. The 5g technology and network communication will also benefit every industry, making it safer and more transparent to health care, farming, and other digitized services.
What are the benefits of 5g networks?
As explained above, the 5g network is fast, but apart from that, it has several other applications which help in application to different fields.
Increased network capacity
Giving a particular community with a robust network like 5g holds distinctive advantages. For example, an enormous gathering of individuals utilizing phones will not hamper or slow anyone’s connections in the room, which means along with low latency, it also offers extended access.
Low latency
Latency refers to the response time of the individual. It is considered one of the significant advantages of and the biggest factor in shifting to this network. Since commercial applications are quiet and require a drastic response time, having a good speed is of utmost importance for such networks. Hence, the miracle of 5g networks works like magic here, which is generally applied to healthcare and emergency services.
Improved flexibility and readability
The low latency offered by the 5g networks will help create greater bandwidth to accommodate and process higher amounts of data. This means there are no connectivity hassles, no call dropping, and a new network area of 5 g services which is also planning to be applied to connected and intelligent cars.
Faster speed
Lastly, the most apparent benefit of the network is its speed. It offers the highest speed of 130mbps, which is four times more when compared to 4 g networks. There can also be a gradual increase in the network speed, which means the connectivity can also increase over time.
A Guide To 5G Mobile Networks
We are constantly exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which comes from a variety of sources, including mobile phones, television and radio broadcasts, and natural sources like sunlight. The most recent wireless smartphone technology, known as 5G, will be widely used for the first time in 2019. The high waves travel shorter distances through urban spaces, so 5G networks require more transmitter masts than previous technologies, positioned closer to ground level.
Main distinctions between 5G and other technologies
The progression of communications standards is represented by 5G. 5G will use higher frequencies up to some tens of GHz and around 3.5 GHz to offer improved performance. While body scanners and point-to-point radio communications are two other common uses of the higher frequencies outside of mobile phone networks, they are new to mobile networks.
5G uses higher frequency waves than earlier mobile networks, allowing more devices to have access to the internet at the same time and at faster speeds. 5G networks will make use of more base stations and connected items at these higher frequencies. Beam-forming antennas will also be used in 5G to more effectively guide signals towards the device being used as opposed to existing base station antennas, which spread the signal out in all directions.
Level of exposure
The current 3.5 GHz emission from 5G infrastructures is comparable to the 2.4 GHz exposure from current cell phone base stations. With the utilization of various rays from 5G antennas, radiation may vary depending on the users’ locations and usage. Given that 5G technology is still in its early stages of implementation, it is still unknown how much radiofrequency field exposure will alter.
Actions of WHO on 5G
As the new system is implemented and as more information about public health becomes available, WHO will assess the scientific evidence pertaining to potential health effects from exposure to 5G. The International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project was started by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1996. The project studies the effects of contact with magnetic and electrical fields between 0 and 300 GHz on human health and provides national authorities with EMF radiation safety advice.
WHO supports more investigation into the potential long-term health effects of all facets of mobile communications. Priorities for related research are determined and promoted by the organization. In order to improve understanding of health and mobile communications, it also creates resources for the general public and encourages discussion among experts, scientists, authorities, governments, and the general public.
International exposure regulations
Guidelines for electromagnetic field exposure are produced by two international organizations. Currently, several nations follow the recommendations made by:
- The Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection International Commission,
- Through the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
These rules do not depend on any particular technology. They include the radio frequencies being discussed for 5G and extend up to 300 GHz.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology:
The Fifth Generation of Mobile Technology is a super communication network, enabling faster internet speed and coverage. The 5G Technology is a significant and innovative step toward bringing out the full potential of the Internet of Things (IoT). The 5G Technology is capable of handling more devices and can support cutting-edge A.I. technology, Virtual Reality, etc. Another benefit of using the 5G technology is that it is energy-efficient, thereby using less battery and power from devices. The advantages of using 5G technology are obvious; however, it comes with many disadvantages. There have been increased concerns about health hazards and security regarding the 5G technology. Here are some of the significant disadvantages of using 5G technology:
Health Concerns:
Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of 5G on humans. However, the results have been inconsistent so far, and there is no evidence of major health hazards. It is to be noted that the radiation caused by phones, Wi-Fi, etc., has been proven to cause tissue heating in humans. However, the amount of tissue heating in humans due to these devices is significantly minimal to cause any health issues or concerns.
Interference:
One of the major disadvantages of 5G is that they can only travel short distances. If physical obstructions such as trees, towers, or buildings are present on route, 5G frequency can be interrupted. This can slow the devices indoors, where the 5G signals may struggle to penetrate the walls. Telecom companies are extending the existing cell towers to increase the strength and broadcasting distance of the 5G signals. 5G Technology can also threaten aircraft safety due to the close frequency range in which they operate. You must have also noticed the recent news in which 5G technology has caused flight cancellations due to its interference with the onboard instruments.
Security Concerns:
One of the biggest concerns regarding 5G technology is Cybersecurity and the risk of hacking. 5G Technology has more routing points than the older technologies, making it difficult to do security check-ups and maintenance. The added speed and number of routing points will challenge the security systems. Another issue that adds to this concern is that many devices are manufactured without keeping security a priority. Connecting more of these devices to the grid adds to possible breach points, thus increasing the cyber threat.
High Initial Costs:
The road toward the development and implementation of 5G infrastructure is expensive. Much of the existing 5G technology is built on 4G infrastructure and network. However, it is to be noted that the 4G network upgrades can no longer support the increased traffic of 5G. Soon, the network operators will have to increase the infrastructure to cope with the growing traffic. There is the added burden of constant and continued maintenance costs to ensure high-speed connectivity.
Health Risks From Radiofrequency Radiation
Radiation is the energy emitted from a source in the form of light, energy, molecules, etc. Radiofrequency radiation is present in the low-energy band of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as radio waves and microwaves. They are non-ionizing radiations that emit lower energy when in use. However, when absorbed by the body in large amounts, they heat the body, which can result in potential tissue damage. Some sources of exposure to RF radiation are:
- Extreme UV rays from the sun
- Lightning strikes
- Radio and television signals
- Wireless networks, Bluetooth, and bright devices.
- Radar
- Full-body wave scanners
Health Effects of RF radiation
Due to their job nature, some people are highly exposed to RF radiation than others. People who broadcast communication signals, manage towers, and maintain radars are at higher risk of radiation infection. According to WHO and IARC, prolonged use of wireless communications is carcinogenic to humans and can increase the risk of glioma and malignant brain cancer.
However, the extent of damage depends on the following factors;
- The sensitivity of affected tissues
- The length of and manner of RF exposure
- The type of radioactive isotopes involved in the radiation
- The characteristic of the person exposed to such radiations (like age, gender, and other medical conditions)
The higher the intensity of radiation, the higher the health risks. However, at lower powers, the body can repair its damaged cells and tissues, thus, reducing the risk factors.
Acute health effects of RF radiation
When a person is exposed to RF for an extended period, the following health effects can be administered:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Redness of skin
- Radiation burns
- Acute radiation syndrome
- Hair loss
- In extreme conditions, death
Using mobiles and other wireless devices does not lead to the development of acute symptoms. However, people working in nuclear power plants and those under direct harmful RF radiation are at higher risk of developing such symptoms.
Many studies have failed to find the link between exposure to low doses of RF radiation and tumor development in humans and animals.
Protection from RF radiation
It is inevitable to run away entirely from radiation, as it is always in the backdrop. But fortunately, there are specific ways by which we can reduce our exposure to this harmful radiation, which might decrease its harmful effects on our bodies.
One of the primary ways is to understand and educate about the radiation protection principles guided by WHO.
- Time: For anyone exposed to radiation other than one in the background, it is essential to reduce the time of exposure, which can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
- Distance: The radiation dose reduces as you move further away from the source.
- Shielding: Lead, concrete, and water are the primary shielding sources from harmful radiations like RF, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Is 5G Making You Sick? Here’s What Experts Say
The fifth generation mobile technology is rolling out to most cell phones in today’s technological world to deliver high-speed internet and wireless connections to enhance user experience and make life easier. However, concerns about 5 G technologies have surfaced on the internet since its release.
The experts have considered this mass concern and have provided valuable information. In this article, we will decode whether 5G is making you sick or is it just a myth!
What exactly is 5G?
The fifth generation network is the latest cellular network, developed in 2019, to transmit data between mobile and Bluetooth devices. The fast speed of the network is due to its utilization of higher frequencies through wireless networks. They mainly make use of radiofrequency and electromagnetic radiation to deliver their services. The electromagnetic frequencies produce an EMF (electromagnetic field) believed to be harmful to the users. Hence, this has caused concerns about health with the prolonged use of 5G networks.
5G Radiation and EMF Waves
Electromagnetic fields are of two types:
- Non-ionizing EMF is radiated by Bluetooth devices, power lines, microwaves, computers, phones, etc. They impart low levels of radiation when in use.
- Ionizing EMF is stronger atmospheric radiation mainly imparted by X-ray machines and sun rays.
According to experts like Collins, people are much more likely to associate with diseases like cancer when constantly exposed to ionizing EMF.
However, it is essential to know that 5G workers are in the higher spectrum of the EM waves, where the frequency starts from 3.5GHz. Before the discovery of 5G networks, mobile networks did not work in these radio spectrums.
According to World Health Organization, although limited studies are performed on the effects of 5G on humans, the results of electromagnetic fields are cause for concern as they lead to:
- Tissue heating
- Hampering cognitive functions
- Skin and other types of cancer
Health concerns over 5G
Since 5G is a newly built technology, the health risks caused by 5G networks are still under study due to a lack of enough scientific analysis. But, according to a 2021 study, the genetic effects of EMF generally depend on various factors like exposure duration, intensity, frequency of use, etc. Nevertheless, the results were consistent with EMF’s genetic damage to human tissues. Today, over 3,500 physicians from various fields have jointly voted against the use of 5G technologies, which might cause neurological disorders in their users.
Even though the FDA and WHO declare 5G connections safe, many experts disagree with their early conclusions.
Meantime, some myths about 5G networks are debunked by experts, that include:
- 5G connections cause COVID-19
- All COVID-19 vaccines have 5G microchips
- One-time use of 5G network causes cancer
- 5G causes migraines, headaches, and dizziness
Conclusion
5G is beneficial to humankind more than we can imagine. Currently, there is no evidence for the harmful effects of 5G on humans or animals. However, the EMF produced by these networks has mixed results.
