Is 5G Dangerous For You?

When it comes to the latest innovation in the world of network technology, everyone is excited for 5G technology. The possibilities and applications that come with 5G technology are limitless in every sense of the word. 5G will not only change the way we create and consume content, but it will also open up a world of possibilities to all the applications that were only theoretically possible due to speed and bandwidth limitations. There are only a few things that are as exciting as 5G technology.

While 5G technology is creating a huge buzz with all the possibilities and innovations it will make possible, there’s been a huge concern about 5G being a health risk. There have been reports that 5G can be dangerous for you and can cause serious harm to your body. These reports and rumors have largely been unverified. Yet, they have been a cause for tremendous concern among people. The worry isn’t unfounded, as all of us definitely want a faster internet but not at the cost of our health.

So is 5G harmful to us?

The short answer is, no. 5G is not harmful in any way and there is no evidence that proves it either. The long answer will put to bed any concerns you may have about this high speed innovation in network technology.

See also: Is 5G Better for Streaming?

One of the biggest reasons why 5G is so much faster than its predecessors (primarily 4G LTE) is that with 5G technology, we are able to harness the (mmWave) millimeter way to gain access to unprecedented internet speeds. For example, these mmWaves are transmitted through a radiofrequency that is at a higher spectrum than a 4G network. High frequency radio waves have always induced anxiety among customers and have even given rise to widespread conspiracy theories. Some of these theories are outrageous in the very least.

All the anxiety, conspiracy theories, concerns about the health risks and purported dangers of 5G technology stem from one word; radiation.

To further understand why 5G is not dangerous, it is important to understand the radiofrequency (RF) it harnesses. All the anxiety, conspiracy theories, concerns about the health risks and purported dangers of 5G technology stem from one word; radiation. The word ‘Radiation’, gets a bad rap for meaning a lot of severe things. However, radiation in simple terms means any energy that is emitted from a source. The heat that our body gives out is also radiation.

Fundamentally, RF is radio waves. They are forms of electromagnetic energy that consists of electric and magnetic waves that radiate through space. Radio Waves in general are classified into two parts – Ionizing and Non-Ionizing. This is where the confusion lies. Both these parts have the word radiation associated with them. However, only one type of radiation is dangerous from a health perspective, which is the Ionizing radiation.

Ionizing Radiation is radiation that is strong enough to break chemical bonds. Light is considered Ionizing radiation, because it has this ability to break chemical bonds and cause damage to our skin cells and our DNA. It is the reason why we wear sunscreen. This is precisely why it is said that too much exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. That’s largely because the way Ionizing radiation works is that it has short-wavelengths and more energy. Other examples of Ionizing radiation are UV rays, X-Rays and Gamma Rays. Exposure to these rays for a while is considered strong enough to damage cells, alter DNA and cause serious ailments like burns, genetic damage and cancer.

The radiation caused by using 5G technology is Non-Ionizing in nature. The wavelengths are longer as compared to ionizing radiation. However, they are much weaker and are not strong enough to penetrate, let alone break chemical bonds. The most severe effect of high frequency non-ionizing radiation is that in the rarest and the most extreme of scenarios, it will slightly heat your skin. But not enough to cause any sort of physical damage to your cells, tamper with your DNA or weaken your immunity.

High frequency non-ionizing radiation is also not something that is being used for the first time with 5G technology. We have been exposed to it for ages. All our previous forms of network technologies, from 2G to 4G and 4G LTE, emitted a form of non-ionizing radiation. Radio frequencies have a longer history that is not just limited to network technology. They have also been used with Radio and Television broadcasts.

“If you ever held a portable radio or boombox close to you, you received far more radiation of similar frequencies than you do from a 5G device that sits in your pocket.” – Ethan Spiegel, a P.H.D in Astrophysics and a senior contributor to forbes.

Sure, 5G still has challenges to overcome, like an intensive deployment to create an infrastructure that offers a reliable connection, anywhere and everywhere. However, there is absolutely no proof or even serious evidence to suggest 5G is dangerous or it could pose a health risk. After countless studies that have been done to test the safety of 5G technology, it can be said that 5G is as safe as all other previous networks and your home Wifi.