New research has revealed fascinating insights into how 5G technology affects our exposure to electromagnetic waves. Surprisingly, living in cities with a dense network of cell towers might reduce your exposure to radiation compared to rural areas with fewer towers. Here’s an easy-to-understand breakdown of this paradox and what it means for public health.
This pattern makes sense because cities have more cell towers, which provide stronger and more uniform signals, increasing baseline radiation levels.
In cities with more cell towers, baseline radiation is higher, but phones require less energy to stay connected, so exposure during active use is lower.
In rural areas with fewer towers, baseline radiation is lower, but phones emit much more energy during active use, resulting in higher exposure.
City Dwellers: While baseline exposure is slightly higher, daily usage is less likely to result in extreme spikes in radiation.
Rural Residents: Baseline exposure is lower, but activities like streaming videos or uploading large files can significantly increase exposure levels.
It’s also important to note that these measurements were taken with phones placed about 30 cm from the measuring device. If a phone is held closer to the body, exposure could be up to 10 times higher, according to the researchers.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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Why 5G Networks Are Different
5G networks operate on advanced systems that are very different from traditional mobile networks. These systems use something called massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Ma-MIMO) antennas, which are smarter and more efficient than older cell towers. These antennas employ a technology called beamforming, which works like a spotlight. Instead of broadcasting signals evenly in all directions (like traditional networks), beamforming focuses the signal directly on your device. This makes the network faster and more reliable.The Study: Urban vs. Rural Areas
The research, part of Project GOLIAT, was conducted in Switzerland, one of Europe’s earliest adopters of 5G technology. Researchers measured radiation exposure levels in two cities (“Zurich” and “Basel”) and three rural villages (“Hergiswil,” “Willisau,” and “Dagmersellen”). To measure baseline exposure, they used mobile phones set to airplane mode to prevent data transmission.Key Findings on Baseline Exposure:
Urban Areas (Higher Population Density): Exposure levels were higher. For example:- Zurich: 0.33 milliwatts per square meter (mW/m²)
- Basel: 0.48 mW/m²
This pattern makes sense because cities have more cell towers, which provide stronger and more uniform signals, increasing baseline radiation levels.
The Paradox of Active Phone Usage
The situation changes drastically when phones are actively transferring data (like downloading or uploading large files). During these tests, researchers found exposure levels could spike dramatically:Data Usage Findings:
Urban Areas:- Downloading large files led to exposure levels of 6-7 mW/m².
- Uploading files for maximum speed tests increased exposure to 16 mW/m².
- Downloading large files raised exposure levels, but during maximum upload tests, exposure reached 29 mW/m² — almost double the levels in cities.
The "Paradox" Explained
Here’s the paradox:In cities with more cell towers, baseline radiation is higher, but phones require less energy to stay connected, so exposure during active use is lower.
In rural areas with fewer towers, baseline radiation is lower, but phones emit much more energy during active use, resulting in higher exposure.
What This Means for Everyday Life
The study highlights how cell tower density and phone usage patterns influence radiation exposure. For most people:City Dwellers: While baseline exposure is slightly higher, daily usage is less likely to result in extreme spikes in radiation.
Rural Residents: Baseline exposure is lower, but activities like streaming videos or uploading large files can significantly increase exposure levels.
It’s also important to note that these measurements were taken with phones placed about 30 cm from the measuring device. If a phone is held closer to the body, exposure could be up to 10 times higher, according to the researchers.
Future Research and Implications
This study is just the beginning. Researchers plan to expand their work to nine more European countries to explore how 5G technology is implemented and how it impacts public health. Their findings will help shape better network designs and guide public health policies.Final Thoughts
5G technology is changing how we interact with the electromagnetic environment around us. While it offers faster speeds and better connectivity, it also brings new challenges for understanding radiation exposure. This study reminds us that network design plays a crucial role in balancing connectivity with public health concerns. Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet rural area, knowing how 5G affects your exposure can help you make informed choices about your mobile phone usage.
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