5G wireless requires that we put antennas everywhere (it can't penetrate walls), which means we'll be highly exposed to this radiofrequency radiation. It's pretty clear from the science that these waves could be harmful to humans (yes, that means you and your kids), but we're really not sure yet. Other countries are studying this before rolling the tech out, but not the U.S. We're going full-steam-ahead and health consequences be damned.
So what is 5G? This video provides a good introduction (it was published in 2017, since then, providers like Verizon are moving ahead with 5G – they just put a 5G enabled router in my house during an upgrade – I turned the 5G broadcast off).
So what about the potential harmful effects?
This article, Frightening Frequencies: The Dangers Of 5g & What You Can Do About Them, provides a pretty in depth look at many of the concerns and questions surrounding 5G wireless transmission. Here are a few excerpts:
“Many studies have associated low-level RFR (radiofrequency radiation, which 5G uses) exposure with a litany of health effects, including:
- DNA single and double-strand breaks (which leads to cancer)
- oxidative damage (which leads to tissue deterioration and premature ageing)
- disruption of cell metabolism
- increased blood-brain barrier permeability
- melatonin reduction (leading to insomnia and increasing cancer risks)
- disruption of brain glucose metabolism
- generation of stress proteins (leading to myriad diseases)”
“Perhaps the strongest concern involves adverse effects of MMWs on human skin. This letter to the Federal Communications Commission, from Dr Yael Stein of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, outlines the main points. Over ninety percent of microwave radiation is absorbed by the epidermis and dermis layers, so human skin basically acts as an absorbing sponge for microwave radiation. Disquieting as this may sound, it’s generally considered acceptable so long as the violating wavelengths are greater than the skin layer’s dimensions. But MMW’s violate this condition.
Furthermore, the sweat ducts in the skin’s upper layer act like helical antennas, which are specialized antennas constructed specifically to respond to electromagnetic fields. With millions of sweat ducts, and 5G’s increased RFR needs, it stands to reason that our bodies will become far more conductive to this radiation. The full ramifications of this fact are presently unclear, especially for more vulnerable members of the public (e.g., babies, pregnant women, the elderly), but this technology.”
There's a lot more in the article. And there's plenty more where that came from. Just Google “harmful effects of 5G wireless” and see what you find.
It would certainly seem that there is sufficient evidence to show at a minimum that we do not clearly know yet if this tech is harmful or safe.Â
What does the FCC say about 5G?
Here is what FCC Chairman has to say about this in the summer of 2016 (we won't study it, regulate it differently, have special standards for it, etc.) Granted, this video is put together in a sensationalizing manner, but these are this gentleman's words, and his intent is clear. This is about the almighty dollar.
Full Steam Ahead or Slow Your Roll?
So what do you think? Should we be slowing our roll out of 5G and learning more about it? Or should we wait until time goes by and we may start learning the hard way, through rising occurences of medical issues?
Thanks Jay – hadn’t picked up on references to “non-ionizing” in things I’d read. This is good to know. There’s a long article touching on this and more here: https://www.cnet.com/news/5g-phones-and-your-health-what-you-need-to-know/. Hopefully the health effects are an invalid concern. You make a good point about surveillance though, which undeniably continues to increase, and can be further supported by 5G.
I’m concerned about 5g, but not at all for health concerns: 5g is non-ionizing (thus can’t break molecular bonds, thus can’t damage DNA). There’s no hard science backing up health concerns, and plenty showing it’s safe.
(Before you jump on my comment, please understand I’m not making an argument for adding a flood of more RF to our lives, but be real: are you really ready to throw out ALL your tech -phone, computer, microwave, tv, radio… – heck, you’re using the internet RIGHT NOW. What do you think it’s using?)
My concern is that 5g easily enables global surveillance. The moment those towers go up, we can attach cameras to them (as is done in China). But why do that when there’s all these cell phones around with cameras already installed?
It’s not even a matter of trusting that any government agency (cough, NSA) won’t do this. At least I have a representative I can talk to face to face. But do you trust Apple? Google? Facebook? Hackers? Mob-financed AIs? Could any of them have a massive financial interest in streaming a peek at our lives (spoiler alert: In the words of Rumsfeld, “Heavens to Betsy, yes!”)? What then is the incentive for NOT spying, when it will be so difficult to get caught (insert discussion outlining opportunity/risk costs here)?
4g works so fine for me. Even 2g. There are no great evolutionary, social or cultural benefits to eliminating lag in online gaming (and I’m a gamer). So for different reasons, I agree with those of you who say 5g is about the $$$.
[…] – While it is not without its controversy, the next generation of high speed wireless computing can be a game changer for many industries. […]
[…] – While it is not without its controversy, the next generation of high speed wireless computing can be a game changer for many industries. […]
[…] – While it is not without its controversy, the next generation of high speed wireless computing can be a game changer for many industries. […]
I am just fine with my 4G cell phone. I do not NEED 5G, I can live without it if it is going to present me and my family with health problems. Money, money, money is all that this is about. Maybe we should do 10G and do the human race in so that the Earth can heal and get on with natural evolution.
Thanks JP. I am afraid this is going to be a losing battle that is only going to come to light years from now when studies start to show the effects on people’s health. Hopefully it ends up being largely benign, but right now there seems to be enough scientific evidence to tell us to slow down and learn more before we dive in (here in the US), but that’s not going to happen.
It’s all about money, and another means to poison the general public through radiation. The current cell towers we now have at 4 g have a 3 block radius of dangerous exposure, and they place it on top of residential apartments, near houses, or business districts. To have them placed on light posts everywhere is rediculous! These cell phone companies just want to promote a new product, and will do so by telling the public how much better it will be, then laugh on the way to the bank. Meanwhile, North Americans get to enjoy another means of population control, sickness, and indirect oppression. I love my cell phone, but not enough to know people will greatly suffer in trade for this tech. I think life was better when the phones were not a threat to your health, and still attached to the wall. Give me your petitions, because i will sign against 5 g.
What an alarming information. Further studies and learning (without grave consequences) should be carried out before the use of 5G becomes mainstream. Updated technology is part of the populace’s daily life, but its safety has to be primarily considered.