5G Communication Technology and Coronavirus Disease [Health Matters]

Abstract

5G Communication Technology and Coronavirus Disease [Health Matters] James C. Lin. 5G Communication Technology and Coronavirus Disease [Health Matters]. IEEE Microwave Magazine, 21(9):16-19. Sep 2020. No abstract Excerpts "The fact is that there is no link between the COVID-19 virus and 5G cell phone technology or 5G base-station communication towers. These are totally different constructs; they are not even close. None of the conspiracy theories that try to link 5G and the coronavirus make any sense scientifically." "For biological matters, it is not obvious whether the biological responses to high-band 5G radiation will be akin to earlier generations or low-band 5G radiations, given the distinctive characteristics of mm-wave [millimeter wave] and its interaction with the complex structure and composition of pertinent biological tissues." "It is important to note that the recent NTP and Ramazzini RF exposure studies presented similar findings in terms of heart schwannomas and brain gliomas. Thus, two relatively well-conducted RF exposure studies employing the same strain of rats showed consistent results in significantly increased cancer risks. More recently, an advisory group for the IARC has recommended including reevaluation of the carcinogenicity of human exposure to RF radiation, with high priority, in their monograph series [7]." "... the 5G frequency domain is divided into low, mid, and high bands. The operating frequencies at low and mid bands can overlap with the current 4G band at 6 GHz or below. Thus, the biological effects of RF radiation at these lower frequency bands are likely to be comparable to 2, 3, or 4G. However, the scenarios of high-band 5G-especially for 24-60 GHz in the mm-wave region for high-capacity, short-range wireless data communications-are relatively recent arrivals and pose considerable challenge to health risk assessment. There is a paucity of data on permittivity and coupling, such as reflection, transmission, and induced energy deposition, in biological tissues in the mm-wave frequency band." "Induced energy deposition increases with mm-wave frequency. However, at the highest frequencies, the energy deposition in the deeper regions inside the skin is lower because of the reduced penetration depth at these frequencies [11]." "A recently published review [13] included 45 in vivo studies conducted using laboratory animals and other biological preparations and 53 in vitro studies involving primary cells and cultured cell lines This industry- supported review noted that, aside from the wide frequency ranges, the studies were diverse both in subjects and in the end points investigated. Biological effects were observed to occur both in vivo and in vitro for different biological endpoints studied. Indeed, the percentage of positive responses at nonthermal levels in most frequency groups was as high as 70%." "While many of these investigations with mm-wave exposures reported biological responses, there is inconsistency in the dependence of biological effects and mm-wave intensity used for exposure. Also, the reported in vitro and in vivo laboratory investigations are modest in number and diverse in subject matter, considering the wide 5G/mmwave frequency domain. The jury on the biological effect or health impact is still out on 5G. Moreover, there is a lack of ongoing controlled laboratory investigations. Simply put, the existing scientific data are too limited for any reliable assessment or conclusion with certainty." ieeexplore-ieee-org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The excerpts state there is no link between COVID-19 and 5G technology. They also state that evidence on biological/health effects of high-band (mm-wave) 5G is limited and inconsistent, with insufficient data for reliable conclusions; the author notes prior animal RF exposure studies (NTP and Ramazzini) reported similar findings including increased heart schwannomas and brain gliomas, and mentions IARC reevaluation of RF carcinogenicity has been recommended with high priority.

Outcomes measured

• COVID-19 (claimed link with 5G)
• biological responses to mm-wave/high-band 5G exposure
• cancer risk (heart schwannomas, brain gliomas) in animal RF exposure studies
• tissue energy deposition/penetration depth in skin at mm-wave frequencies

Limitations

• No formal abstract provided; information is from excerpts.
• The piece is a magazine article/"Health Matters" item and appears narrative rather than a systematic review.
• For high-band/mm-wave 5G, the excerpts emphasize a paucity of data and inconsistency across studies, limiting reliable assessment.

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.9)
  Discusses 5G health concerns, mm-wave evidence gaps, and misinformation linking 5G to COVID-19.
• who-icnirp (0.35)
  Mentions IARC recommendation to reevaluate RF carcinogenicity (related to international health risk classification).

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "5G (mobile/base stations)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "COVID-19 (claimed link with 5G)",
        "biological responses to mm-wave/high-band 5G exposure",
        "cancer risk (heart schwannomas, brain gliomas) in animal RF exposure studies",
        "tissue energy deposition/penetration depth in skin at mm-wave frequencies"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The excerpts state there is no link between COVID-19 and 5G technology. They also state that evidence on biological/health effects of high-band (mm-wave) 5G is limited and inconsistent, with insufficient data for reliable conclusions; the author notes prior animal RF exposure studies (NTP and Ramazzini) reported similar findings including increased heart schwannomas and brain gliomas, and mentions IARC reevaluation of RF carcinogenicity has been recommended with high priority.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No formal abstract provided; information is from excerpts.",
        "The piece is a magazine article/\"Health Matters\" item and appears narrative rather than a systematic review.",
        "For high-band/mm-wave 5G, the excerpts emphasize a paucity of data and inconsistency across studies, limiting reliable assessment."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
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        "COVID-19",
        "coronavirus",
        "mm-wave",
        "millimeter wave",
        "RF radiation",
        "24-60 GHz",
        "health risk assessment",
        "energy deposition",
        "penetration depth",
        "NTP",
        "Ramazzini",
        "heart schwannomas",
        "brain gliomas",
        "IARC"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Discusses 5G health concerns, mm-wave evidence gaps, and misinformation linking 5G to COVID-19."
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            "reason": "Mentions IARC recommendation to reevaluate RF carcinogenicity (related to international health risk classification)."
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}

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