Abstract

Overview

The current global deployment of 5G technology utilizes millimetre wave frequencies (30–300 GHz), which are at the forefront due to their gigabit-per-second data transmission capabilities. The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has revised their guidelines in light of this new technology incorporating beamforming techniques.

Findings

• The study questions the effectiveness of ICNIRP's new methods specifically concerning local exposures greater than 6 GHz. It hints at possible health risks due to Brillouin precursor pulse formation.
• It underscores a substantial gap in research on the biological effects of 5G New Radio beam-formed signals. No substantial in vivo, in vitro, or epidemiological studies have been conducted to date to verify safety from either a thermal or biological perspective.

Conclusion

The research alarms about the insufficiency of current surface radiation exposure assessments and highlights a critical need for a thorough review and consequential update of RF exposure standards in response to the emerging technologies. There is a compelling call for targeted research into the safety and biological effects of 5G to preemptively manage potential health risks that might become global due to widespread adoption of 5G technologies.