Health Debunked: Is 5G Bad for Your Health?

During the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, conspiracy theories spread quickly about everything from the origins of the virus to the historically (and to some, suspiciously) fast rollout of the vaccine — and whether it contained a microchip. (Short answer: It didn’t.) 

So it’s not surprising that the release of 5G technology during this time led many to raise questions about the  geopolitical and global health risks of this high-speed wireless network and exposure to radiofrequency (RF). There have also been widely debunked theories that the rollout of 5G networks contributed to the spread of COVID-19. 

The rumors about 5G range from healthy skepticism to far-reaching conspiracy theories. Luckily, we can settle the score.

What is 5G?

The 5G (fifth generation) network uses energy from electromagnetic radiation to transmit data at higher and more efficient frequencies. 

This technological advancement supports high-quality wireless communication, Bluetooth capabilities, telehealth and video conferencing, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) that can power remote surveillance and even self-driving cars.

Keep in mind: The technology powering 5G is the same technology that powers microwaves, computers, and our power grid.

Why does 5G get a bad rap?

The electromagnetic radiation from 5G creates an electromagnetic field. There have been studies on whether these fields pose health risks. These concerns are similar to concerns about the effects of radiation from laptops on the organs and skin near our abdomen, and whether cell phone use leads to the development of tumors. 

Claim: 5G signals can cause rashes, nausea, headaches, and even cancer 

As we uncover more about the harms of UV radiation (think skin cancer and melanoma), it’s natural to wonder if fifth-generation electromagnetic radiation works in the same way. 

In 2019, the University of Edinburgh's Professor John William Frank called for increased precaution in promoting 5G. He argued there had not been enough critical studies on its safety.

What does the science say?

It’s true that the science on 5G and health is still in the early stages. That said, researchers still haven’t found evidence that 5G is harmful. Here’s a rundown.

• 2019: The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reviewed studies specifically on 5G wireless networks using 6 GHz to 100 GHz. It found “there was no consistent relationship between power density, exposure duration, or frequency, and exposure effects.”

• 2020: The Toxicology Letters journal published reports about the adverse health effects of radiation. It highlighted that most experiments don’t use the actual level of current or the signal modulation that the average human would encounter in an everyday situation. 

• 2021: A study in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology reported that “public exposure to radiofrequency fields from 5G and other sources is below the human exposure limits” set by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). 

What do the experts say?

Expert organizations find no evidence that 5G is harmful to human health. Some do, however, acknowledge more research could provide a clearer picture of possible health risks, if any. 

• World Health Organization, February 2020: “No adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies…Tissue heating is the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body. Radiofrequency exposure levels from current technologies result in negligible temperature rise in the human body…Provided that the overall exposure remains below international guidelines, no consequences for public health are anticipated.”

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, February 2020: “The available epidemiological and cancer incidence data continues to support the Agency’s determination that there are no quantifiable adverse health effects in humans caused by exposures at or under the current cell phone exposure limits.” 

• American Cancer Society, June 2020: “RF waves don’t have enough energy to damage DNA directly. Because of this, it’s not clear how RF radiation might be able to cause cancer…Some studies have found possible increased rates of certain types of tumors in lab animals exposed to RF radiation, but overall, the results of these types of studies have not provided clear answers so far.”

• National Cancer Institute, May 2022: “Studies have examined associations of these cancers with living near power lines, with magnetic fields in the home, and with exposure of parents to high levels of magnetic fields in the workplace. No consistent evidence for an association between any source of non-ionizing EMF and cancer has been found.”

So, should I avoid it?

No conclusive evidence supports that 5G networks can harm your health. Some occupations and workplace environments increase your risk of exposure to RF. But scientists agree that more and better research is needed. 

In the meantime, if you are reading this article on your phone or computer, you’re likely already engaging with 5G. Approach your use of technology with the same moderation as you would any vice. Take breaks from screen time, enjoy the outdoors, and practice healthy habits like movement and restorative self-care.