5G networks are completely safe, radiation watchdog rules

Campaigners have fought against 5G in many areas of Europe, claiming that the new technology carries health risks to people near the masts.

But a comprehensive review of the technology by an international body in charge of radiation limits has found that, at the levels it is used in the real world, the technology is safe.

The International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which assesses the risks of radio broadcasts, tested a high-frequency version of 5G which is coming to Europe, the Guardian reports.

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It concluded that at the levels used in real-world mobile networks, the technology carries no real risks to humans.

Public Health England has previously said there is no “convincing evidence” that 5G adversely affects peoples’ health.

Dr Eric van Rongen, chair of the ICNIRP said: “We know parts of the community are concerned about the safety of 5G and we hope the updated guidelines will help put people at ease.

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“The guidelines have been developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process.

“They provide protection against all scientifically substantiated adverse health effects due to exposure in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz range.”

ICNIRP established guidelines for radio wave exposure in 1998, but updated them for the new high-frequency network this year in its first update in 20 years.

Read more: Coronavirus myths you should stop believing immediately

Conspiracy theorists peddle many lies about 5G, including the idea that it is somehow linked to coronavirus.

According to fact-checking website FullFact, one conspiracy theory suggests that a 5G mobile network may have caused the coronavirus outbreak by damaging people’s immune systems.

The city of Wuhan in China, the centre of the first coronavirus outbreak, has a 5G network – but scientists have found no link between the new coronavirus and 5G.