10th Course: “Electromagnetic fields and health – epidemiological approaches ”

The Ideas for Change team, organised a workshop with experts and people interested in 5G and electromagnetic fields. The session aimed to co-create the best way to design the app that measures exposition to RF-EMF and its content.

Less than a month ago, the ETAIN consortium travelled to Bordeaux to gather all together in the second face-to-face meeting of the project. The event was a lively opportunity to analyse the first year of the project, start reflecting on lessons learned and organise the next steps for the following stage accordingly . Also, we had time to meet new members, share some free time together and keep building a strong relationship among the team.

Insects are vital to the health of the planet. With the deployment of new technologies and telecommunications protocols such as 5G, exposure to electromagnetic fields is expected to change and may negatively impact these pollinators. One of ETAIN's research areas focuses on measuring the actual impact of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on insects and defining thresholds of well-being.

How is ETAIN involving communities and implementing co-created strategies to actively engage citizens into mapping and studying our exposure to RF-EMF during our daily lives? In this article you’ll get some more details and insights on how an integrated mobile application and web platforms are being co-designed to measure individual and collective RF-EMF exposure across the Citizen Labs in Barcelona and Utrecht. Keep reading!

How will we benefit from 5G? We are connected via phones, tablets, computers and other mobile devices 24/7. In this context, the fifth generation of wireless communication (5G) is in the spotlight. What are its benefits? What do we know about its downsides? Does it affect our health and the planet?