Is 5G EMF Radiation Poisoning Dangerous or a Hoax?
People worldwide are concerned about 5G radiation. It is not surprising that rumors, myths, and conspiracy theories about 5G are exploding online right now. Growing consumer anxiety in many parts of the world about the COVID-19 virus has caused a number of conspiracies to become subjects of even more public debate and speculation.
But should you really be worried about fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G)? Or is it all a hoax spouted by conspiracy theory websites?
Some people are concerned about the number of devices required to create a 5G network. They’re concerned with telecom companies installing these devices in neighborhoods. They’re worried about the EMF radiation emitted by these devices. The theories come in a number of forms, but they all reduce to roughly the same concept. People are concerned that 5G networks could cause radiation damage for consumers.
That all sounds bad, but is there really any evidence that 5G is harmful for health? What's the truth behind all of this speculation?
Most evidence shows that 5G devices emit radiation at much lower levels than what could affect humans. Even the FDA has been quoted as saying that the levels of radiation emitted by 5G and cell phones are low enough to be deemed acceptable for healthy public use. Still, the long-term effects of the radiation emitted by 5G are still being explored and researched, and some scientists argue that there could be distinctly negative impacts to 5G use.
Advanced Living's original day-one specialty focus was all about electromagnetic frequency defense against these emerging invisible threats. Now, after over a decade in the making, 5G radiation and EMF protection are two of the hottest trends unfolding in 2024 as the fifth generation of wireless communications technologies that support cellular data networks and high-speed Internet infrastructure start to roll out worldwide. As 5G towers begin to be setup and used to usher in a new era of enhanced connectivity globally, and the reduced mobile broadband latency will ensure faster download speeds and quicker uploading times; the real question on every skeptical consumer’s mind is whether or not 5G radiation poisoning symptoms are a serious risk of implementing the upgraded next generation wireless communications network.
Let’s review the 5G radiation exposure concept to see what the research reveals about the facts of fifth generation wireless technology and whether or not the use of top-rated EMF-blocking protection defense is necessary against electromagnetic frequency poisoning effects on the body so we can possibly debunk some of the popular coronavirus (COVID-19) conspiracy theory myths floating around online in 2024.
Contents
Health Authorities: 5G is Safe
All available evidence from scientific authorities tells us that 5G is safe. There’s no evidence to suggest that 5G devices emit harmful levels of radiation, even when significant numbers of 5G devices are installed at roughly the same time.
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) updated its advisory guidelines in March 2023. It was the organization’s first update in more than 20 years.
ICNIRP is a Germany-based scientific body that assesses the health risks of radio broadcasts. They’re the international body in charge of setting limits on exposure to radiation.
ICNIRP developed its new guidelines after “a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process.”
Based on that analysis, the ICNIRP has declared that 5G “has output levels significantly below the new maximum”.
In other words, the ICNIRP has declared that certain radiation levels have no impact on human health, and that 5G is still significantly below that level.
To be specific, the ICNIRP found that exposure from 5G base stations hits about 1% of the maximum, while mobile phone handsets running at the maximum possible power will hit about 50% of the upper limit.
The Radio Frequencies Used in 5G Are Similar to the Ones Used Since the 1990s
5G may sound like some crazy, new technology. However, 5G is not significantly different from existing mobile communication technology in certain ways.
The radio frequencies 5G uses, for example, are similar to those that have been used for mobile telephones since 1998, which is when ICNIRP published its first set of guidelines for EMF exposure.
“The most important thing is that the fundamental health risk assessment is unchanged,” explained Dr. Jack Rowley, Senior Director for Research & Sustainability at GSMA, the industry body for mobile network operators, in a statement to The Guardian.
“The limits that we had in 1998 are still protective now.”
However, there are still some technological differences between 5G and previous wireless technologies.
New Safety Standards Adjusted for Modern Technology
However, there have been some changes to mobile communication technology since the 1990s.
Experts did not anticipate millimeter wave 5G and other broadcast connections above the 6GHz band. These higher frequencies interact with organic tissue differently. Higher frequencies dissipate more energy at the surface and penetrate less.
The new standards have taken these changes into account. Safety authorities like the ICNIRP have taken measurements across a smaller cross section. They’re also specifically paying close attention to the power absorbed by, rather than simply exposed to, a body.
The FCC: 5G is Safe
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced that the commission will soon reaffirm the radio frequency radiation (RFR) exposure limits that the FCC adopted in the late 1990s.
The FCC set these limits based on a behavioral change in rats. Scientists exposed rats to microwave radiation, and the FCC set limits to protect us from short-term heating due to radiation.
The FCC’s RFR exposure limits regulate the intensity of exposure, taking into account the frequency of carrier waves. However, they only consider radiation intensity dangerous when it leads to short-term heating.
In March 2023, Germany-based ICNIRP updated its safety regulations for the first time since the 1990s. The FCC, however, has not adjusted its safety regulations – they’re simply reaffirming their existing safety regulations.
5G Conspiracy Theories
Overwhelming evidence tells us that 5G is safe. Despite this evidence, however, there’s been a pushback against 5G technology. As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread all over the world, 5G technologies have become an increased target for speculation and targeting by scared consumes looking for a cause of their troubles.
Protestors have been attacking 5G communication towers since summer 2019, for example. 5G protestors have stormed streets in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Some people believe 5G harms the environment. Others believe 5G exposes us to harmful levels of radiation.
And then the conspiracy theories get crazier: some believe the government is using 5G for mind control. Some even believe 5G is helping spread the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Some people have started buying 5G radiation blockers or protection devices. Some devices are as simple as a phone case. Others are pieces of metal you place in your pocket or around your home.
None of these 5G protection devices have shown any evidence that significantly decrease your risk of health problems. However, 5G radiation blocking has become a multimillion-dollar industry.
5G’s critics point to the fact that the FCC has not changed its RFR exposure limits since the 1990s, when mobile communication technology was different. Hundreds of studies on mobile communication technology have been published since the 1990s, and critics argue that the FCC needs to update its position.
Clearly, many of these 5G conspiracies have little basis in reality. However, there are a few genuine concerns that consumers might have about 5G technology. This will be covered in the next section.
Health Risks of 5G: The Evidence
Yes, there is some evidence that 5G can be harmful. Most evidence suggests that 5G EMF radiation is safe for humans, although certain studies have produced concerning results about long-term effects and potential impacts on the human body.
First, many are concerned about the FCC’s regulations on radio frequency radiation (RFR) exposure. The FCC adopted its current regulations in the 1990s using evidence from the 1980s. Since then, over 500 studies have linked RFR exposure to harmful biologic or health effects.
A group of 240 scientists reviewed these studies and became concerned. They found that RFR exposure could be harmful at intensities too low to cause significant heating, which is where the FCC’s limit begins.
That group of scientists was so concerned with the health effects of nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that they signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, which calls for stronger exposure limits. Here’s that group’s doctrine:
“Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines.
Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans.
Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.”
This isn’t a radical group of scientists. The 240 scientists involved in this study have collectively published 2,000+ papers on EMF radiation in professional journals. They’re some of the world’s leading experts on the effects of nonionizing radiation.
This group isn’t arguing for a ban on 5G. They’re simply arguing that organizations like the FCC adjust their exposure limits to consider new scientific evidence.
Another group called 5G Appeal is making a similar request. 5G Appeal is a group of 250 scientists and medical doctors. They’re calling for an immediate moratorium on the deployment of 5G. They’re also demanding governments fund research into the safety of 5G.
The FCC has not updated its exposure limits, although other safety bodies, like Germany’s ICNIRP, have adjusted safety limits based on new research.
Many are also concerned with the fact that WHO declared RFR as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RFR as a possible carcinogen.
Meanwhile, a study from the United States National Toxicology Program (NTP) found “clear evidence” that two years of exposure to cell phone RFR increased cancer in male rats and damaged DNA in rats and mice of both sexes.
What Makes 5G Technology Unique?
5G is similar to existing mobile communication technologies, although there are some significant differences.
The biggest difference is that 5G employs millimeter waves for the first time in addition to the microwaves used in older cellular technologies (2G, 3G, and 4G).
And, because 5G has limited reach, it requires cell antennas every 100 to 200 meters, which exposes many people to millimeter wave radiation.
5G also uses new technologies to create a network, including active antennas capable of beam-forming, phased arrays, and massive multiple inputs and outputs (MIMO). Because these are new technologies, they pose unique challenges for measuring exposures.
Some are particularly concerned about the millimeter waves of 5G. Millimeter waves are absorbed within a few millimeters of human skin and in the surface layers of the cornea, which could lead to health issues.
Here’s how one researcher summarized the health problems associated with millimeter waves:
“Short-term exposure can have adverse physiological effects in the peripheral nervous system, the immune system and the cardiovascular system. The research suggests that long-term exposure may pose health risks to the skin (e.g., melanoma), the eyes (e.g., ocular melanoma) and the testes (e.g., sterility).”
That researcher is Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD, the director of the Center for Family and Community Health in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Moskowitz has been translating and disseminating the research on wireless radiation headsets since 2009.
In 2013, Dr. Moskowitz and his colleagues published a review paper finding that long-term cell phone users were at greater risk of brain tumors.
Dr. Moskowitz also runs the Electromagnetic Radiation Safety Website and is an unpaid advisor to the International EMF Scientist Appeal and Physicians for Safe Technology.
There’s some evidence that 5G radiation could be harmful. However, there’s absolutely zero evidence that 5G spreads the COVID-19 coronavirus. Despite the total lack of evidence, the COVID-19 and 5G rumors continue to circulate across the internet.
In response, YouTube and other social media sites have banned any baseless videos connecting 5G and coronavirus. Of course, this ban just fuels conspiracy theorists further. This past week, conspiracy theorist David Icke linked 5G technology to the COVID-19 pandemic during a YouTube livestream.
Icke claimed there “is a link between 5G and this health crisis”, then added:
“If 5G continues and reaches where they want to take it, human life as we know it is over…so people have to make a decision.”
Icke got progressively crazier from there, stating that any coronavirus vaccine would include “nanotechnology microchips” that will allow governments to control humans. Then, he called for Bill Gates, who is helping fund one COVID-19 vaccine, to be jailed.
Icke is just one of many conspiracy theorists spreading rumors of 5G and coronavirus across the internet.
To be clear, there’s zero evidence that 5G radiation and coronavirus have any connection. The only link is that both stories are trending at the same time.
Before wrapping up Advanced Living's 2023 5G radiation guide, the following is the most extensively researched frequently asked questions about radiation blocking and EMF protection shields that many who inquire about 5G and its health side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5G and Radiation Blockers
Consumers should avoid buying into some of the dangerous conspiracy theories spreading about 5G, and especially about its relation to the Coronavirus. But EMF blockers can be an effective way to mitigate some of the substantiated health and wellness harms associated with 5G and cell phones. This section will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about 5G and radiation blockers.
Q: What is an EMF/Radiation Blocker?
A: An electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation blocker is any physical device, case, or other product that blocks radiation from an electronic device. Certain cell phone cases, for example, claim to block EMF radiation from your smartphone.
Q: Do EMF blockers work?
A: Some studies show that EMF blockers work as advertised to block radiation. Other studies show that EMF blockers have no effect on radiation whatsoever. Overall, the research is relatively split, and consumers should be cautious when choosing any radiation blocker.
Q: Do cell phone EMF blockers work?
A: Some cell phone EMF blockers seem to reduce radiation, while others do not. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there is no scientific proof that cell phone EMF blockers reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In fact, some products actually increase radiation emitted by phones.
Q: How to tell if EMF blockers are working properly?
A: The best way to test if an EMF blocker is working is to test it yourself using an EMF meter, also known as a gaussmeter. You can buy EMF meters for $25 to $50. However, we caution consumers that many of these products might be ineffective, unreliable, or clearly a scam.
Q: Is there any real science behind EMF blockers?
A: Yes, most studies indicate that EMF blockers can significantly reduce the amount of radiation coming from your phone. However, there’s no scientific evidence linking EMF exposure from household electronics, powerlines, or smartphones to cancer or other diseases.
Q: How much do EMF blockers cost?
A: EMF blockers are priced anywhere from $15 to $100, although prices can easily fall out of this range, especially if the product is extremely well-made or uses cutting-edge technologies.
Q: Where can you buy an EMF blocker?
A: You can buy an EMF blocker from Amazon and other online retailers. Best Buy and certain other online and offline retailers also sell various EMF blocker products. Some of the newest EMF blockers on the internet will have their own official product websites.
Q: Do phone radiation blockers actually work?
A: Yes, phone radiation blockers have been shown to block radiation from your phone in certain situations. However, there’s no apparent link between phone radiation and health problems. Furthermore, some phone radiation blockers have been shown to increase radiation – or not work at all.
Q: How can you test background radiation blockers?
A: The best way to test background radiation blockers is to buy an EMF meter or gaussmeter, although many of these products might be faulty or difficult to test and verify in their correctness.
Q: What are some quality EMF radiation blockers?
A: Some of the most popular EMF radiation blocker brands include Quanthor, DefenderPad, Huagasion, and Goodlee.
Q: What materials can actually block radiation?
A: Aluminum foil, lead, tin, tungsten, antimony, and bismuth can all block radiation, as can a faraday cage.
Q: Do anti-radiation stickers really work?
A: Anti radiation stickers are generally considered a scam. Stickers do not absorb radiation. In fact, some studies suggest that stickers increase the amount of radiation your phone emits. They might interfere with your phone’s signal, requiring your phone to draw more power to communicate with cell towers. In 2002, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged two anti radiation sticker manufacturers with making false claims. In June 2011, the FTC issued an alert that radiation shields had no scientific merit.
Q: How do you block my phone from radiation?
A: The best way to limit phone radiation exposure is to avoid body contact, limit calls, use speaker mode or a wired headset, and avoid the use of your phone when it has a low signal. Some radiation blockers might help, but the only way to guarantee a reduction in cell phone radiation is to limit the time it spends near your body.
Q: What is the best cell phone radiation shield?
A: Some of the most popular EMF radiation shield brands include Quanthor, DefenderPad, Goodlee and Huagasion.
Q: Do phone cases really block radiation?
A: Yes, phone cases can block radiation from your phone. The effectiveness of a phone case can vary widely, however, so be careful in your research of radiation blocking cases for your phone.
Q: Can phones cause radiation?
A: Yes, all phones emit a very small amount of radiation. This amount is generally considered safe, although some evidence suggests it can have long-term impacts.
Q: Is sleeping next to your phone bad?
A: Some studies have suggested that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation is harmful, while other studies have suggested it’s perfectly safe. Generally, sleeping next to your phone is not considered bad, and there’s limited evidence linking it to any health problems.
Q: How much radiation does a phone give off?
A: Most phones emit radiation of 1.24 to 2.00 watts per kilogram. However, radiation emission varies widely depending on usage. The power emitted by a phone can go up to 2 watts at the start of a call, for example, and drop to 0.02 watts during optimal operation.
Q: Can Wifi cause cancer?
A: No. There’s presently no evidence that Wi-Fi routers or Wi-Fi devices increase the risk of cancer. Wi-Fi routers, like phones, emit EMFs that your body can absorb. However, the amount of radiation absorbed from a wireless router is minor compared to the EMFs absorbed when taking a call on a smartphone.
Q: Is Bluetooth unhealthy or bad for your brain?
A: There’s no evidence that Bluetooth is bad for your brain or health in any way. Bluetooth devices do give off radiation, although it’s only approximately 1/10th the radiation of a smartphone.
Q: Is it bad or not recommended to sleep with your phone charging next to you?
A: Some studies have connected cell phone radiation to health problems and an increased risk of cancer. Most evidence, however, suggests it’s perfectly okay to sleep with your phone charging next to you.
Q: Is 5GHz WiFi dangerous?
A: Wi-Fi emits RF or EMF radiation, although there’s no evidence that 5GHz Wi-Fi can impact your health in any way.
Q: Is it bad to sleep next to a router?
A: There’s no evidence that sleeping next to a router is bad for your health. Some small studies have suggested cell phone radiation can cause health effects and increase the risk of cancer, although no studies have connected router usage to health problems.
Q: What can block EMF?
A: Aluminum foil, a faraday cage, lead, tin, tungsten, antimony, and bismuth can all block EMF radiation.
Q: How do you get rid of EMF in my house?
A: You can reduce EMF radiation in your home by removing all electronics, removing your microwave, turning off all electronics at night, switching your phone to airplane mode, and removing all wireless devices from your home. However, remember that EMF radiation is largely considered benign, and its health effects are minimal and still being researched.
Q: How do you block EMF on your cell phone?
A: You can block EMF on your cell phone with a special EMF blocker case. You can also block EMF by turning your phone to airplane mode and declining any calls or other services that use communication networks.
Q: Does foil block EMF?
A: Yes, aluminum foil blocks radio frequency waves, which are a form of EMF radiation. However, foil's effectiveness is minimal, especially compared to more developed blocking technologies.
Q: How can you protect yourself from 5G?
A: You can reduce EMF radiation from 5G by buying EMF shields, removing all 5G electronics you’re your home, and moving away from 5G antennas and other 5G communication equipment. However, there’s no evidence that the EMF radiation emitted with 5G is harmful.
Q: How does 5G affect the body?
A: There’s no evidence that 5G affects the body in any significant way. The radiation emitted with 5G technology is not enough to significantly increase your risk of anything, according to all current medical research.
Q: Can 5G penetrate walls?
A: Yes, 5G can penetrate walls, although it may have a harder time than 4G and 3G. 5G uses a higher frequency, and as frequencies get higher, the ability to penetrate walls decreases. Communication companies avoid this issue by installing more cellular base stations.
Q: Can 5G be stopped?
A: The worldwide rollout of 5G has already begun and it’s highly unlikely to be stopped, although some advocate groups continue to fight against its spread.
Q: Will 5G be dangerous?
A: There’s no evidence that 5G will be dangerous, although some groups certainly argue that this is the case.
Q: Who created 5G?
A: 5G isn’t one technology. It’s a basket of communication technologies, protocols, services, and systems. 5G was created by various companies around the world.
Final Thoughts
There’s no evidence suggesting 5G harms humans. We know 5G is not dangerous. Health authorities and mobile communication experts have conducted tests worldwide proving that 5G radiation has no impact on the human body at the levels used in 5G communication systems.
A 5G communication tower outputs 1% of the lower limit of EMF radiation, for example, while a headset running at maximum power outputs 50% of the limit.
Nevertheless, there is some evidence suggesting that the millimeter waves of 5G could cause health effects, and that short-term exposure to 5G radiation could create health problems. Many are concerned that the FCC has not updated its safety regulations since the 1990s – although other international safety organizations have updated their regulations in 2023 based on new 5G information and have still determined 5G is safe.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, many believe 5G is a problem. Protestors continue to fight back against 5G worldwide. However, health authorities and tech experts generally agree that 5G is safe.
In a time where home essentials and everyday items such as hand sanitizers or face masks are high in demand, or goods like survival kits, first aid kits and ultraviolet lights are peaking in interest, the saying of ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' applies to the possible dangers of 5G radiation poisoning. While many of the coronavirus-related conspiracy theories about 5G can be debunked due to science, the world of electromagnetic frequency radiation is largely still evolving and being studied closely. For peace of mind, many consumers are seeking preventative measures by searching for EMF protection in the form of 5G blockers and defense shield zappers.
Thanks for reading our 2024 5G radiation guide, be sure to bookmark this worthy resource as review updates with all of the latest research regarding this highly controversial topic of 5G radiation and EMF protection will be made here.