Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview

The growing deployment of 5G NR technology has elevated concerns about the potential negative health effects associated with Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF EMF). This review attempts to delineate how 5G's impact may differ in its effects on human health compared to past generations of telecommunication technologies.

Findings

• Reviewed experimental studies over the last 15 years to map out health repercussions on the human brain from various telecommunication generations.
• Discussed physical mechanisms and factors that influence RF EMF effects, focusing on how these depend on frequency and signal structure.
• No direct experimental studies relating to 5G and frequencies higher than 2500 MHz have been identified, leaving a gap in direct knowledge at these higher frequencies.

Conclusion

The review consolidates findings from human experimental studies on 2G, 3G, and 4G impacts, indicating that below 10 GHz, 5G’s health impacts may not differ significantly from earlier generations. However, at frequencies above 10 GHz, the effects and the impact mechanisms of 5G become less predictable due to insufficient data, which underlines the urgent need for further experimental and theoretical research.