You already have an idea by now that cell towers are hazards to your health. These things produce radio frequencies used by your mobile phones, smartphones and tablet computers to keep you connected online 24/7.
While it was discovered that these things emit a low amount of electromagnetic field (EMF) and radio frequency radiation, cell towers and every devices you use that relies on radio frequency can in some ways impact your health.
The advent of 5G wireless technology poses an even greater threat to your health. This technology distances itself from other generations as it would be utilizing a new form of delivering your data, text messages, and calls. This article will look into how 5G is expected to cause significant issues on your health.
What is 5G?
All companies in the field of mobile technology are embracing 5G. The technology promises a better and faster experience compared to its predecessors. 5G is literally a shortcut for the fifth generation of cellular technology.
The evolution of mobile service technology started with the advent of analog cellular phones and providers or what we call now as the first generation (1G). The technology tried to improve itself with the birth of 2G or the generation that has GSM, CDMA and TDMA under its umbrella. EVO, HSDPA and UMTS were all introduced in the third generation of the wireless telephoning technology.
This generation significantly delivered faster speeds and introduced the world to the concept of a much acceptable form of browsing the Internet while on the go.
For the fourth generation, technology companies and cellular service providers teamed up to address issues experienced in the third version of the technology. 4G was the realization of fiber Internet-like connection and paved the way for the birth of the mobile app culture.
The fifth generation of mobile telecommunicating builds up on the advances achieved by its fourth version. 4G did brought in faster speed unimagined during the time of wireless technology’s initial, second, and third generations.
5G, on the other hand, promises not only a much faster mobile Internet speed. It also brings to the table promises of lower latency or being more responsive, and the ability to host more devices all at the same time.
How Does It Differ from Previous Technologies?
Technically, 5G uses a new technology different from that of 4G. The new radio system used in this generation is called 5G-NR and is not compatible with the bands used in a 4G network or a 4G-capable mobile device.
Still, cellular phone service providers need to maintain their 4G networks to enable their 5G cell towers. 5G was set up in a way that it needs for a 5G capable phone or any device to start first on a 4G network before “leveling up” to a fifth-generation capable cellular network.
In terms of how it emits electromagnetic field radiation, there is really big difference between 5G and its former versions like 3G and 4G or Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
The fifth generation of wireless technology makes use of higher radio frequency waves compared to previous generations. 5G makes use of the 24 to 90 gigahertz frequency range. This is frequency is already considered as ultra-high frequency and ultra-high intensity.
To paint a clearer picture of how much EMF is emitted by this technology, 5G is capable of producing up to 90 billion electromagnetic waves. The amount of radiation coming from the fifth generation of mobile technology is significantly higher than that naturally present in the environment.
But Low EMF Emitting Things are Safe, Right?
No. As previous stated, 5G is an ultra-high frequency and ultra-high intensity technology. This makes it more a threat than previous generations of this technology.
Providers in the U.S. disclosed that they are experimenting the use of millimeter waves (MMW) to deploy 5G across the country. The use of MMW is concerning given that it is more advanced than what was used in prior versions. MMW is capable of containing more data over short distances. It is also capable of permeating through walls and various forages, making it more stable and reliable compared to what was offered during the third and fourth generations of this technology.
Studies have yet to looked on the effects of MMW on human health, but it was determined that the target of this radiation is your skin and your cornea. MMW are usually absorbed within 1-2 millimeters of whatever surface. Thus, it makes it powerful enough to break into your skin and your cornea.
MMW is also seen to cause thermal heating. Experts made this conclusion based on the facts that waves are capable of producing thermal or heating effects when it is above 5–10 mW/cm2.
Studies on the impact of MMW on the human health found that it could cause drastic changes on the metabolism, growth, and morphology of cells. It is also discovered to include free radicals production and cause damage to your DNA.
This generation of mobile communication technology also requires a greater number of cell towers compared to 3G and 4G. The larger number of cell towers equates to more people subjected to EMF and radio frequency radiation.
It has long been established that constant, prolonged exposure to this kind of pollution do harm to your health. There are even various studies that looked on the link between EMF exposure and some not-so-serious and chronic health issues. Cancer, blood pressure levels, and pregnancy were among those significantly impacted by exposure to electromagnetic field radiation.
How You Can Protect Yourself
EMF is all around today. The concern raised by people who are afraid on how this pollution might affect their health created a market for EMF shielding. With technology evolving to greater heights, electromagnetic field shielding experts are also creating new ways to protect yourself from hazards associated with exposure to EMF.
EMF shielding experts offer a wide range of options for you to reduce, if not eliminate, the amount of electromagnetic field or radio frequency radiation you are subjected to. The following are some of the ways you can protect yourself against EMF:
Turn on your smart device’s airplane mode
Your smartphone produces electromagnetic field radiation even when it is idle. The best for you to get rid of extra amount of EMF is to activate your device’s airplane mode. This feature is common among many devices nowadays. A smartphone under this mode turns off your device’s connection to your provider’s cell tower, its Wi-Fi modem, Bluetooth radiation, and all other features that is capable of producing radio frequency pollution.
Spend less time on your smartphone or any other gadget
You might already be tired of hearing this not only from EMF shielding experts, but also from people around you. However, they have some right over their constant bugging. Devices connected to the Internet 24/7 produces EMF all day and all night. You spending less time browsing social media platforms or playing online games can reduce the amount of EMF you are able to absorb.
Invest in appliances and electronic items that make less EMF
Modern devices, gadgets and appliances do integrate with them the ability to emit less EMF. Household appliances are the best example of the trend in lowering their EMF footprint. They are mostly designed and made nowadays to consume less electricity and be as simple and basic as possible to not contribute any further to the already high levels of EMF you are exposed to.
Use devices that wards off electromagnetic field and radio frequency radiations at home
EMF shielding experts recommends a wide variety of choices to ward off EMF pollution coming from cell towers and other devices at your home. An EMF-shielding blanket, paint capable of reducing the amount of EMF in an area, and sticker patches are some of the things you can choose from in order to get rid of EMF in your surroundings.
Prepare Protection Now
5G might not be as widespread now compared to 4G. Yet, it is best to take preventive measures as early as now to get rid of its consequences. The technology does promise better experience in terms of speed, reliability, and the number of people who can take advantage of this new generation of wireless communication.
But it also comes with some disadvantages present during the lifespan of its predecessors. You might already know that radio frequency and electromagnetic field radiation do impact your health. Constant exposure to this pollution was discovered to have altered biological functions including changes in sleeping pattern and quality, heart rate variability, and the ability to reproduce among males.
Cancer researchers are also continuously working to explain how EMF contributes to the growth of cancer cells. While there are several efforts to find a direct link, there is yet a definitive evidence that would suggest that EMF and other forms of radiation do cause cancer.
Given the seriousness of how EMF can impact your health, it is best to act now. 5G is still in trial. While the world is yet certain whether tech companies will be using MMW or not, it is best to reduce the amount of radiation in your surroundings, especially at home.