FCC: radio frequencies smartphones with 5G technology are safe

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) states in a new proposal that current levels of radio frequency emissions from mobile phones are safe. This applies not only to older and current mobile phones, but also to the smartphones that will be using the new 5G technology.

The FCC carried out six years of research, in which it also received input from the public. Now it concludes that current exposure levels of mobile phones, wireless towers, WiFi routers and other devices that transmit radio frequencies are safe, CNet writes.

The organisation explicitly emphasises that it has no concerns about new equipment using 5G technology. This includes devices that use millimetre frequencies.

Safety limit remains the same

The FCC regulator in the United States sets the limits for radio frequencies. It does so in close cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health organisations. According to the FCC, these organisations agree with his findings.

The available scientific evidence we have now does not support adverse health effects in humans due to exposure at or below current levels, says Jeffrey Shuren, director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the FDA, in a letter to the FCC.

This means that the current safety limits for exposure to radio frequencies remain the same as they have been for the past 23 years.

Worries

There have been concerns about the safety of mobile devices for years. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in 2011 that mobile phones may cause some forms of brain tumors. It also left open the possibility that there is a link between cancer and radiation from mobile phones.

However, most of the studies did not find any connection between mobile phone radio frequencies or masts and diseases.

Recently, however, the worries have increased, now that 5G is approaching. There are concerns that the spectrum called mmWave – used in early deployments to make 5G a reality – can cause adverse health effects. In addition, many more small transmission masts are needed for 5G that need to be placed closer to residential areas.

No need to worry

The FCC now states that there is no reason for concern. There is nothing special about 5G, according to the organization. Scientific evidence also shows that 5G is no different from other mobile technologies in the field of health effects.