Cell phone radiation gives more questions than answers
In the year 2020, the next mobile generation, 5G, should be available. The new Standard enables the creation of completely new technologies for which the network was far to slow, including self-driving cars, voice-controlled assistants, and smart refrigerators that automatically order food. However, the 5G-Expansion also poses health risks due to increased radiation exposure?
The Federal office for radiation protection (BfS) provides information about the current state of scientific knowledge about 5G networks in terms of health. As the Federal office informs, apply much of the knowledge already gained about the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields, for the new 5G network. Mainly frequencies are used, which are either used today, or are of such frequency bands are adjacent.
Federal more behavior
“The BfS according to the current scientific knowledge of the negative health effects, but also still some open questions”, writes the Federal office, in a communication to the next 5G network. The findings of the German mobile telecommunication research programme (DMF), there are within the valid limits for mobile installations and in compliance with the safety of the product to mobile phones requirements no confirmed evidence of harmful effects of mobile telephony on health.
The health risk is not yet finally clarified
The 5G network can be expanded by adding more expansion steps by means of higher frequency bands in the millimetre – or centimetre-wave range. For these areas there is, according to the BfS so far, only a few research results on the topic of health. Further studies are required. “The Absorption of high-frequency electromagnetic fields in the Milli – or centimeter-wave range, very close to the surface of the body instead of”, according to the BfS. This could have possible effects on skin and eyes. Direct effects on internal organs is not expected.
Radiation is scattered to increase the width of
A potential health risk to the BfS in the so-called small cells. For the Expansion of the networks, the BfS anticipates a rapid increase of such cells. These small cells are placed in the density of sites with high Usage, a large data transfer amount. The small cells have lower transmit power, but they operated mainly in places where many people stay. “This is exactly what will affect the extent to which the population will be exposed to the radiation, can not yet be estimated,” the BfS. However, it is assumed that the range of possible exposures will increase.
Long-term effects of current networks are still unknown
“Regardless of 5G of scientific uncertainties continue to exist regarding the possible long-term effects of intensive mobile phone use as a whole”, stresses the BfS. The technology is still too young to be able to these issues to clarify. For example, an influence on the emergence of cancer can be determined only after 20 to 30 years. Also, the impact on the development of children has not yet been finally clarified.
The fact the consumer should be aware of
Anyone who has health concerns, care should be taken according to the BfS in the selection of a mobile device on the so-called SAR-value. “The lower the value, the more radiation is lower in the device,” explained the FSO. For more safety, the Smartphone must be mounted at a sufficient distance from the body and make calls Handsfree or a Headset to be used. The SAR values of different phones can be found on the website of the FSO. (vb)