12

Bioelectromagnetism

electric charge, the direct stimulation of nerve and muscle tissue and the induction of retinal phos­

phene are the only well-established adverse efects thus serving as the basis for the exposure guidelines

(ICNIRP, 2010b).

According to the ICNIRP’s defnition, radiofrequency electromagnetic feld is used to describe felds

in the frequency range of 100 kHz to 300 GHz. Due to the gradual use increase of radiofrequency-oper­

ated devices such as mobile-phone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radar, smart meters, medical equipment, etc.,

exposure levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic felds around us have also increased gradually. Te

understanding of the health, biological and environmental efects of electromagnetic felds in the fre­

quency range of up to 300 GHz is advancing rapidly. In 2020, ICNIRP published a guideline for the fre­

quency range of 100 kHz–300 GHz (IARC, 2013; ICNIRP, 2020b). Tis guideline aims to protect against

adverse health efects relating to the exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic felds, including from

5G technologies.

Te development of mobile wireless technology has defnitely evolved from 1 to 5G. In the ffh-gen­

eration communication system (5G), three frequency bands are actually expected to be used: low fre­

quency (700 MHz band), high frequency (3.4–3.8 GHz band) and extremely high-frequency millimeter

(26 GHz and above) bands. Future telecommunications are planning to use radiofrequency electromag­

netic felds working at frequencies above 6 GHz to the millimeter wave range (30–300 GHz) in order

to achieve high-capacity, ultra-high-speed communication. Te use of radiofrequency electromagnetic

felds within these frequency bands urges that the human exposure and their health efects must be

clarifed quickly for a safe and efective use of 5G systems.

As a result of public concern regarding any possible adverse efects to human health exposure to

radiofrequency electromagnetic felds above 6 GHz from 5G or other sources, the research group of

Andrew Wood from Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia, reviewed 107 past experi­

mental studies which investigated various bioefects including genotoxicity, cell proliferation, gene

expression, cell signaling, membrane function and other efects (Karipidis et al., 2021; Wood et al.,

2021). Tis review included 31 epidemiological studies which investigated exposure to radar radiation

of above 6 GHz. Te review result showed no conclusive evidence that low-level radiofrequency electro­

magnetic felds above 6 GHz at exposure levels below the ICNIRP occupational limits (ICNIRP, 2020b)

were associated with biological efects relevant to human health (Karipidis et al., 2021). Tey pointed

out that the studies reporting the efects came from the same research groups and that the results have

not been independently reproduced (Karipidis et al., 2021). Furthermore, they recommended that the

studies should improve their experimental design with attention to dosimetry and temperature control.

In addition, as a companion paper, they pointed out from meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies

that the results do not confrm an association between low-level millimeter waves and biological efects

(Wood et al., 2021). Tere are also several reviews focusing on high frequencies up to 100 GHz (Neufeld

and Kuster, 2018; Simkó and Mattsson, 2019; Barnes and Greenebaum, 2020). Te majority of studies

concluded that the risk of adverse efects on humans is low even at high frequencies. Recently, in addi­

tion to the current short-term exposure guidelines, Frank Barnes and Ben Greenebaum proposed an

approach on how the long-term exposure to weak felds might be set (Barnes and Greenebaum, 2020).

However, further research is still necessary to determine clearly whether if biological efects at higher

frequencies indeed exist.

Te Information Communication Technology is core technologies becoming part of the social infra­

structure consisting of non-ionizing radiations. In the past, the safety of non-ionizing radiation in

humans, animals, and on a global scale has been discussed. Still, the carcinogenic risk assessment of

ion-ionizing radiation is being addressed by the IARC and the WHO, and basic scientifc research is

also underway.

At a time when environmental health researchers tackle serious global issues, there is an urgent need

to address climate change and other environmental problems. Te technological advances can alter

the electromagnetic environments around us. Tus, it is necessary to consider and assess the possible

biological efects, both benefcial and detrimental of the altered electromagnetic environment. It has