Health Risks of EMF Exposure – Part Two

Within part one of this Health Risks of EMF Exposure post, we developed a mental picture of exactly what constitutes radiation, and, also, how it is known to affect human beings. One of the primary points we emphasize within the post is despite the prevalence of technologies utilized in our everyday lives, the researched, precautionary measures related to such technology is spotty, antiquated, and deceptive by nature. Within this post, we will attempt to make clear the REAL DANGER of these technologies in relation to living beings. We will also illustrate the reasons for the concern, and suggest alternative approaches to navigating this reality.

• The Truth about Cell Towers and 5G

Cellular towers, including 4G and 5G cellular antennas, both emit radio frequency (RF) radiation, a type of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, as mentioned in Part One of this series. Even though this type of radiation is non-ionizing, that does not ensure public safety from a human health standpoint. Today, many scientists recommend caution because studies have reported a wide range of harmful health impacts after prolonged exposure. In 2014, The Lancet reported that RF exposure has been associated with increased oxidative stress as well as DNA damage and cancer risk.

• Research on Cell Towers and Health

A 2022 review examined existing published peer-reviewed research on people living near cell towers and wireless antenna sites and found the majority of studies reported impacts, primarily radiofrequency sickness, cancer, and altered biochemical markers.

Apartment or condo residents who reside near cell antennas, whether a cell tower or 4G/5G wireless antennas mounted on buildings, may experience significantly increased radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure, especially when transmitting antennas are located at close distances or in ‘line of sight’ with living spaces. Simply put, if you can see the antenna, it (likely) has a clear path to reach you.

There is a large and growing body of evidence that human exposure to RF radiation from cellular phone base stations causes negative health effects including both i) neuropsychiatric complaints such as headache, concentration difficulties, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depressive symptoms, fatigue and sleep disturbance; and ii) increased incidence of cancer and living in proximity to a cell-phone transmitter station.

This litany of symptoms has been (repeatedly) described in the scientific literature in association with exposure to wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation and other forms of non-ionizing radiation, and has been referred to in that literature as the “microwave syndrome”. An organization known as the Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome Alliance, has stated; “ EMR Syndrome (ElectroMagnetic Radiation Syndrome) is a medical condition,  linked to exposure to man-made, artificial electromagnetic radiation (EMR).“

• Cell Tower Radiation is an Environmental Pollutant

Cell tower emissions are now the dominant source of RF exposure in most outdoor areas, making RF radiation a rapidly increasing form of environmental pollution! While many countries conduct regular audits of cell tower and RF radiation levels—especially around schools—the U.S. lacks any federal law or compliance policy requiring routine testing or monitoring of cell tower sites to ensure public safety.

• Symptom Improvement After Reducing RF Radiation Exposure

Fortunately, in a majority of cases summarized by a 2024 case study, symptoms improved or resolved after individuals left the high RF radiation exposure environment! This study indicated a temporal relationship between RF radiation exposure and health effects.

• Becoming Proactive Increases Community Awareness & Protection

Because living near cell towers or 5G antennas in apartment buildings can increase exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation, posing serious health risk, increasing your own knowledge and awareness of these dangers is being smart! Getting involved in local zoning, planning, and permitting processes within your own community and advocate for policies which will ensure adequate distance between cell antennas and living spaces.

Footnotes / References

1. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz). Health Physics 118, no. 5 (2020): 483–524.
2. World Health Organization – Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health.
3. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 102: Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Lyon, France: IARC, 2013.
4. Alfonso Balmori. “Evidence for a Health Risk by RF on Humans Living Around Mobile Phone Base Stations: From Radiofrequency Sickness to Cancer.” Environmental Research 214 (2022): 113851.
5. National Toxicology Program – Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation Study.
6. Livia Falcioni, et al. “Report of Final Results Regarding Brain and Heart Tumors in Sprague-Dawley Rats Exposed from Prenatal Life Until Natural Death to Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Field Representative of a 1.8 GHz GSM Base Station Environmental Emission.” Environmental Research 165 (2018): 496–503.
7. Igor Yakymenko, et al. “Oxidative Mechanisms of Biological Activity of Low-Intensity Radiofrequency Radiation.” Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 35, no. 2 (2016): 186–202.
8. James L. Phillips, Narendra P. Singh, and Henry Lai. “Electromagnetic Fields and DNA Damage.” Pathophysiology 16 (2009): 79–88.
9. Lennart Hardell and Michael Carlberg. “Mobile Phones, Cordless Phones and the Risk for Brain Tumours.” International Journal of Oncology 35 (2009): 5–17.
10. BioInitiative Working Group. BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Radiation. Updated 2022.
11. Igor Belyaev, et al. “EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of EMF-related Health Problems and Illnesses.” Reviews on Environmental Health 31, no. 3 (2016): 363–397.
12. Federal Communications Commission – Radio Frequency Safety.
13. Federal Communications Commission – Environmental Rules for Wireless Facilities (47 CFR §1.1307).
14. Environmental Health Sciences – Apartments Near Cell Towers and 5G: Increased RF Radiation Exposure and Health Effects.
15. Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome Alliance – EMR Syndrome.
16. Lennart Hardell and Mona Nilsson. “Health Symptoms After Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation from 4G/5G Base Stations: A Review of Case Reports.” Reviews on Environmental Health (2024).
17. Tarmo Koppel, et al. “Radiofrequency Radiation from Nearby Mobile Phone Base Stations—A Case Comparison of One Low and One High Exposure Apartment.” Oncology Letters (2019).
18. Lennart Hardell, et al. “Radiofrequency Radiation in a Residential Apartment from Nearby Mobile Phone Base Stations.” Oncology Letters (2018).