How 5G Networks Influence RF-EMF Exposure: Key Findings from ETAIN Research
One of the core goals of the ETAIN project is to uncover crucial insights about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and their impact on human and planetary health. The project's work is multi-faceted, involving the development of innovative tools and the conduction of scientific research to better understand RF-EMF exposure.
Among these tools is the 5G Scientist app, designed to provide users with real-time data on their exposure to 5G and Wi-Fi radiation. Additionally, the Dose Calculator helps measure the overall RF-EMF exposure that individuals experience in their daily lives. Other key developments are the Exposure Maps, which display real-time RF-EMF levels across various European cities based on measurements gathered by 5G Scientist app users.
In addition to empowering the public with tools to better understand their interactions with RF-EMF, ETAIN is conducting significant scientific research to further our understanding of this topic. A key publication in this area is the article titled Auto-Induced Downlink Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure at 3.5 GHz with Focusing Near the Head, authored by Hanne Herssens, ETAIN researcher at Ghent University, and Arno Thielens, an ETAIN researcher from the City University of New York.
This article sheds light on how the absorption of RF fields emitted by new telecommunications networks is highly influenced by the positioning of the phone relative to the user's head. While it was already known that this was the case for emissions from the phone itself, Hanner’s research demonstrates that, unlike older networks, the absorption from new 5G networks does indeed change based on the phone’s position. The study further explains that exposure to RF-EMF can arise from both the network (downlink) and the user's own device (uplink). In 5G networks, downlink exposure varies depending on whether the device is in use, while in legacy networks, the exposure level remains the same for both users and non-users.
The paper also shows that RF fields transmitted from a 5G network towards a user can be efficiently focused near the user’s head. This focusing leads to localized absorption of RF energy near the user's device, with the peak of this absorption typically occurring near the ears or the nose. The extent of this absorption depends heavily on the device’s position relative to the user’s head, which is a big contrast to legacy networks (4G, 3G, 2G…), where absorption was independent of the device's location or the user's behavior.
Importantly, the research implies that, in the case of 5G networks, users can not only reduce their exposure to emissions from their device by increasing the distance between the device and their body, but also lower their exposure to the RF fields emitted by the network. The study found no significant differences in exposure between men and women, which adds another layer of insight to understanding how RF-EMF exposure affects individuals. Furthermore, the paper offers valuable insights for the potential regulation or standardization of exposure to RF-EMF, particularly regarding the influence of device positioning.
This research represents a significant step towards uncovering the complexities surrounding RF-EMF and its effects on both human and planetary health. Stay tuned for more updates on ETAIN’s ongoing research efforts!
