Is the sustainability of exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation possible?

Technological advances imply an increase in artificially generating sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF), therefore, resulting in a permanent exposure of people and the environment (electromagnetic pollution). Inconsistent results have been published considering the evaluated health effects. The purpose of this study was to review scientific literature on EMF to provide a global and retrospective perspective, on the association between human exposure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR, mainly radiofrequency-EMF) and health and environmental effects. Studies on the health effects of 5G radiation exposure have not yet been performed with sufficient statistical power, as the exposure time is still relatively short and also the latency and intensity of exposure to 5G. The safety standards only consider thermal effects, do not contemplate non-thermal effects. We consider relevant to communicate this knowledge to the general public to improve education in this field, and to healthcare professionals to prevent diseases that may result from RF-EMF exposures.

Keywords: Campo electromagnético de radiofrecuencia; Contaminación electromagnética; Directrices de seguridad frente a radiaciones no ionizantes; Efectos sobre la salud y el medio ambiente; Electromagnetic pollution; Exposimeter; Exposímetro; Health and environmental effects; Mediciones personales; Non-ionizing radiation safety guidelines; Personal measurements; Radiofrequency electromagnetic field.

PMID: 38151370 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.11.011