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Introduction

been reported that the animals whose behavior is controlled by geomagnetic felds lose the ability to

use their internal magnetic compass when radiofrequency electromagnetic felds are introduced. In

today’s society, as we enter the 5G era, various frequencies of electromagnetic waves will become even

more prevalent in our surroundings, and with the rapid expansion of 5G networks, radiofrequency

electromagnetic feld will be truly ubiquitous in the environment. Te efects of radiofrequency elec­

tromagnetic felds on honeybees are an increasing interest due to the rise of environmental exposure

owing to electromagnetic felds (Favre, 2011, 2017). Tere is existing evidence of non-ionizing radiation

efects on fora and fauna (Levitt et al., 2021a, b). For example, the global reduction in honeybees and

other insects is plausibly linked to the increased radiofrequency electromagnetic felds in our environ­

ment. However, whether man-made electromagnetic feld poses a signifcant threat to insect pollina­

tors and the benefts they provide to ecosystems and humanity remains to be established (Vanbergen

et al., 2019).

It has been established that the magnetic compass of migratory birds can be disrupted by the weak

radiofrequency electromagnetic feld background found in larger cities, but it is currently unclear which

exact frequencies are likely responsible. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that felds emanat­

ing from power lines also afect the magnetic sense of vertebrates, but it is unclear whether this efect is

specifc to 50 Hz magnetic felds to harmonics or even to electric felds (Begall et al., 2008).

Te spread of electric vehicles that do not emit oxygen dioxide is necessary against climate changes.

It is expected that electric vehicles will be recharged without the need for a physical plug connection

and that the possibility of wireless power charging or the ability to supply power while driving will be a

great leap forward in convenience. Te history of wireless power transmission goes back to 1890 when

Nikola Tesla frst attempted wireless power transmission. Afer that, microwave power transmission

and RF-ID were studied. In 2007, a paper on wireless power transmission technology was published

by a research group of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which triggered more research and

development (Kurs et al., 2007). In order to transmit power in a wireless manner, electromagnetic waves

must be radiated by the transmission antenna and received by a receiving antenna. Electromagnetic

waves are generated between these antennas; therefore, it is necessary to understand the safety of these

electromagnetic waves.

Te world has been fooded with various devices and equipment that use electromagnetic waves,

mainly of non-ionizing radiation. Tus, in order to protect the earth’s natural environment and to

maintain a sustainable society where nature and humans exist in harmony in the future, we need to

know what kind of efect these man-made electromagnetic felds will have on the environment and

whether the result of the electromagnetic fooding of the environment will interfere with the behavior

of the wildlife.

In the future, electromagnetic waves will be more prevalent in our surrounding than ever before,

since various information and communication devices using non-ionizing radiation (especially radio-

frequency electromagnetic felds) will be in use. Terefore, there is a need to clarify the efects of elec­

tromagnetic radiation on human health as well as on vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates and

invertebrates are the species that make up the global environment, and the clarifcation of the efects of

electromagnetic waves on them will help to solve the global environmental problems that we are facing

today. Since the exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic felds has been steadily increasing, many

experts have rated cancer, heat-related efects, adverse birth outcomes, electromagnetic hypersensitivity,

cognitive impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes and oxidative stress as the most critical outcomes

regarding radiofrequency electromagnetic feld exposure (Verbeek, et al., 2021).

Since the frst radio transmission signal broadcast made by Marconi in 1897, the exposure to man-

made electromagnetic felds has steadily increased. We are now exposed to electromagnetic felds from a

variety of sources. Due to their increased utilization, particular attention is given to the radiofrequency

electromagnetic felds such as millimeter, terahertz radiation and optical radiation. Te understanding

of the interactions between electromagnetic felds (at all frequency ranges) with biological systems is

necessary for the safety of humans and biological and ecological systems.