# Health Impacts of 5G technology **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728 "2019-05-09T15:43:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/1 "2019-05-09T15:43:28Z")
Wireless carriers will claim that the tech is safe. [Others say no.](https://mdsafetech.org/5g-telecommunications-science/) The[FCC promulgated rules around what limits local municipalities are allowed to enact](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-133A1.pdf) - seeming accepting at face value that there aren’t detrimental health impacts. Are there any documented negative health impacts of widespread 5G technology deployments? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/2 "2019-05-09T17:36:11Z")
No. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/3 "2019-05-09T18:09:50Z")
Whenever this type of topic comes up, i see comments that state “because it’s non-ionizing radiation, there can’t be any DNA impact thus no cancer danger.” But, there have been papers recently showing a biological impact through reactive oxygen species. I think the answer is that the science is not settled on the full impact of low energy rf radiation on biological systems. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/4 "2019-05-09T18:11:45Z")
No. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/5 "2019-05-09T18:31:45Z")
Quite Correct. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/6 "2019-05-09T18:35:41Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Are there any documented negative health impacts of widespread 5G technology deployments? It is difficult to test the effects of widespread 5G technology until it becomes widespread. There are certainly some studies that indicate that this type of radiation may have harmful effects. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/7 "2019-05-09T18:42:44Z")
I’m sure they contribute to a vague set of symptoms that seemingly elude scientists because that can only be cured by a completely different therapy every 8 to 10 months. The biggest problem in treatment is one of the most prevalent symptoms, in that as soon as any symptoms return, the old therapies are forgotten about and a completely new one has to be found ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/8 "2019-05-09T18:56:10Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > It is difficult to test the effects of widespread 5G technology until it becomes widespread. There are certainly some studies that indicate that this type of radiation may have harmful effects. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/9 "2019-05-09T18:56:52Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > It is difficult to test the effects of widespread 5G technology until it becomes widespread. There are certainly some studies that indicate that this type of radiation may have harmful effects. None that aren’t exercises in P-hacking. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/10 "2019-05-09T19:08:52Z")
[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438463917308143?via%3Dihub](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438463917308143?via%3Dihub) > [@](#): > > Preliminary observations showed that MMW increase skin temperature, alter gene expression, promote cellular proliferation and synthesis of proteins linked with oxidative stress, inflammatory and metabolic processes, could generate ocular damages, affect neuro-muscular dynamics. Further studies are needed to better and independently explore the health effects of RF-EMF in general and of MMW in particular. However, available findings seem sufficient to demonstrate the existence of biomedical effects, to invoke the precautionary principle, to define exposed subjects as potentially vulnerable and to revise existing limits. > **[5 G wireless telecommunications expansion: Public health and environmental...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29655646/)** > > The popularity, widespread use and increasing dependency on wireless technologies has spawned a telecommunications industrial revolution with increasing public exposure to broader and higher frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit... > [@](#): > > 5G technologies are far less studied for human or environmental effects. It is argued that the addition of this added high frequency 5G radiation to an already complex mix of lower frequencies, will contribute to a negative public health outcome both from both physical and mental health perspectives. Radiofrequency radiation (RF) is increasingly being recognized as a new form of environmental pollution. Like other common toxic exposures, the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF EMR) will be problematic if not impossible to sort out epidemiologically as there no longer remains an unexposed control group. This is especially important considering these effects are likely magnified by synergistic toxic exposures and other common health risk behaviors. Effects can also be non-linear. Because this is the first generation to have cradle-to-grave lifespan exposure to this level of man-made microwave (RF EMR) radiofrequencies, it will be years or decades before the true health consequences are known. Precaution in the roll out of this new technology is strongly indicated. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/11 "2019-05-09T19:15:05Z")
I see nothing other than “weasel words” in both those quotes. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/12 "2019-05-09T19:21:35Z")
The second one was written by a practicing plastic surgeon who “has authored many policy resolutions related to reducing environmental toxins at the California Medical Association House of Delegates.” I’m still not sure why the California Medical Association House of Delegates has so many toxins ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/13 "2019-05-09T19:26:21Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I see nothing other than “weasel words” in both those quotes. This is GQ, not IMHO. No one cares about your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/14 "2019-05-09T19:28:01Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > This is GQ, not IMHO. No one cares about your opinion. Then, you’d better post some facts, and not someone else’s opinion… ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/15 "2019-05-09T19:28:39Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > The second one was written by a practicing plastic surgeon who “has authored many policy resolutions related to reducing environmental toxins at the California Medical Association House of Delegates.” > > I’m still not sure why the California Medical Association House of Delegates has so many toxins Because they don’t colon cleanse every two weeks? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/16 "2019-05-09T19:35:49Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I’m still not sure why the California Medical Association House of Delegates has so many toxins At least they are not stuck in their ways, like the Delegates Of Georgia Medical Association. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/17 "2019-05-09T19:52:39Z")
Fact 1: The studies showing perceived health effects of perceived exposure to high frequency EM radiation show highly significant results. Fact 2: There are no changes in population health over the last four decades with increasing radiation that can plausibly be linked to that radiation. Fact 3: The higher the frequencies involved, the closer we get to the area where The Sun is the most significant source, and people have to start dragging in the modulation of the signal. Fact 4: To argue scientific evidence for radio frequency EM being a danger one has to cherry pick studies and/or claim specific elements of current technology haven’t been studied sufficiently. The existence of facts 1-3 should make one weary of those engaging in the exercises described in fact 4. Yes there are studies showing all sort of effects of _lab_ setups exposing mice or cells in vitro to radio frequency EM. But there is all sorts of reasons to believe these are research artifacts and/or do not represent a real world health hazard. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/18 "2019-05-09T20:38:32Z")
Exactly correct. Except the fact one. Which isn’t true at all. The studies cited up thread are either P-hacking or opinion pieces. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/19 "2019-05-09T20:47:33Z")
Even at the worst case, supposing there are provable impacts low levels of from non-ionizing RF… wouldn’t it still be several orders of magnitude less harmful than, say, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, skin cancer, anti-vax, flying in airplanes, living near power plants, spending time in traffic, eating too much red meat… if public health is the concern, what good is going after the fringes? If, say, 5G can help smarter cars network and better avoid each other, prevented traffic deaths alone would probably dramatically outweigh any miniscule impact from a little bit more wireless. Or if it can improve urban air quality through smarter grids. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728/20 "2019-05-09T21:47:29Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > None that aren’t exercises in P-hacking. > [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > Exactly correct. > > Except the fact one. Which isn’t true at all. The studies cited up thread are either P-hacking or opinion pieces. What the hell is P-hacking? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-impacts-of-5g-technology/833728.md?page=2)