RSU Expert: Should We Fear 5G Mobile Data Transmission?

A prototype for the lightning-speed mobile data transmission technology 5G has come to Latvia. This has resulted in many wide-spread discussions. Associate Professor Ivars Vanadziņš from the RSU Institute for Occupational Safety and Environmental Health is a doctor and explains what 5G is what effect it has on our health.

What is 5G? ‘5G isn’t anything new. There are hundreds of different radio signals and waves around us all the time. Going back to the basics of physics, practically everything is waves - light, sun rays, ionising radiation, x-rays, radio, microwave ovens,’ explains Assoc. Prof. Vanadziņš. ‘Speaking of 5G specifically, then this is just a slightly different version of existing technology.’

How does 5G differ? ‘The big difference is, that compared to the mobile phones we currently use the signals will have a different wavelength and frequency. As a doctor and an occupational safety expert I have to say that 5G will most likely be less dangerous, because the wavelengths are very short, but with a higher frequency. People are therefore afraid that there will be more transmitters, but where there was once one house with three antennas, each pointed in a different direction transmitting a certain strength, then there will now be antennas every 500 metres with much lower strength. The power that we’re talking about here will probably be under 1% of the acceptable norm, and can therefore be considered relatively safe.’

How will 5G affect our health? ‘5G waves work the same way as when your throw a pebble into a pond: the smaller the stone is, the smaller the waves are. The waves also travel a shorter distance and disappear quicker – the electromagnetic field shrinks quickly. If we sit on an antenna, or are right next to one, then there would be a lot of radiation, but if we go just 1 metre away the radiation drops to about 5%, whereas 3 metres away it is already at 0.1%. Going about their daily lives, people will never be within 1 metre of an antenna. Additionally, the radiation of a 5G antenna is lower than it was for previous technologies.’

When is electromagnetic radiation harmful? All electromagnetic radiation can be divided up into two large groups – ionising and non-ionising. ‘Ionising radiation can change DNA, and is harmful. X-rays, the sun, uranium and radium fall into this category. Everything else is non-ionising radiation that does not have enough power to substantially impact a human cell. Infrared light, heat, radio signals and 5G fall into this category. I can, therefore, reassure you that from a medical standpoint, there is nothing to worry about regarding 5G. Of course we have to keep basic safety rules in mind, as well as the manufacturers’ request not to sit on or come too close to the transmitters.’