Two comprehensive reviews by leading Australian experts have synthesized data from 138 prior studies on 5G technology, concluding that low-level radio waves present no risk to human health.
As 5G rolls out worldwide, concerns about potential health effects persist, sometimes fueling misinformation—including unfounded claims linking it to COVID-19, which have led to vandalism against infrastructure.
Amid this skepticism, researchers from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and Swinburne University of Technology conducted thorough systematic reviews, examining data from 138 previous studies.
They also evaluated over 100 experiments specifically testing millimeter waves (radio frequencies above 6 GHz) for genotoxicity, cell proliferation, gene expression, cell signaling, membrane function, and other biological effects.
These rigorous analyses found "no confirmed evidence that low-level RF fields above 6 GHz, such as those used in 5G networks, are hazardous to human health," states Ken Karipidis, ARPANSA's deputy director of assessment and advice.
While some biological effects were noted in certain reports, they were never independently replicated and stemmed from studies with inadequate quality controls.
Public worries about 5G are understandable, but social media has amplified them far beyond previous generations like 2G. "These platforms didn't exist back then," notes Sarah Loughran, ARPANSA program director. "People were concerned, but lacked the megaphone."
The evidence clearly shows 5G poses no health risks. Full studies are published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology here and here.
