The Collision between Wireless and Biology

Authors: Héroux P.

Year: 2025

Category: Environmental Health, Electromagnetic Field Safety

Journal: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42267

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025006474

Abstract

Overview

This article examines the historical development of the concept of energy of activation, which has been used in the past to frame the belief that non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation is harmless at non-thermal levels.

The power and telecommunications industries have historically presented two arguments suggesting human exposures to non-thermal non-ionizing radiation are inoffensive:

  • First, the radiation is non-ionizing.
  • Second, the energy quanta of such radiation are considered too weak to overcome the competing energy of thermal motion.

These arguments rest on the Arrhenius equation (1889) and the concept of energy of activation. However, subsequent scientific advancements, such as the Eyring equation (1935), the Bennett-Chandler equation on reaction rates (1977-1978), and the Second Law of Thermodynamics—which Schrödinger recognized in living systems as "negentropy"—undermine these assumptions.

Findings

The Second Law of Thermodynamics supplies the ionization claimed to be lacking; furthermore, some biological processes function independently of thermal motion. This paper contributes a new perspective on the physics and biology of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation hygiene, explaining many epidemiological, toxicological, and scientific observations.

The health effects currently observed from non-thermal, non-ionizing radiation are, in fact, completely supported by physics. The expansion of wireless data rates is in direct conflict with the preservation of a healthy environment.

Conclusion

  • Modeling living tissues as mere sugar/water/salt, or as separate biomolecular components, excludes the most essential aspect—the continuous traffic of electrons and protons driven by metabolism, which is vulnerable to non-thermal electromagnetic radiation (NTER).
  • Oscillating electric or magnetic fields from the environment can alter these crucial tissue currents more easily than ionic species, resulting in biological disruptions even without direct ionization or current production by NTER.
  • While a substantial engineering toolbox is available for mitigating NTER exposures (optical fiber, wire twisting, earthing practices, DC power), reversing exposure trends is challenging due to longstanding industry-military alliances.
  • Modern wireless innovations like 5G serve both military and civilian interests, but they may compromise public health by making civilian environments more akin to war theaters.
  • Refining telecommunications modulation schemes may help minimize biological impacts, with the goal of reducing significant health risks linked to electromagnetic exposure.
electromagnetic fields wireless technology health effects non-ionizing radiation thermodynamics biology exposure mitigation
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