Physicians for Safe Technology | 5G “Mobile” Communications

5G and The Internet of Things:

A Real Need for Speed or a Predictable Dilemma?

The telecommunications industry is actively promoting and marketing 5G (or 5th Generation) Technology and the Internet of Things with glossy ads and reassuring  television commercials. They promise that 5G will bring enhanced communications, jobs, and an economic boost to our cities and our nation.  Researchers, physicists,  biologists and physicians argue, however, that there are health, safety, environmental, privacy, security and energy use issues that have not been addressed before the widespread rollout. These scientists predict a biological, environmental as well as societal disruption resulting from this technology that will be difficult or impossible to reverse. In addition, widespread state and federal legislation to streamline deployment of 5G by removing local control on placement and fees cities can charge, will actually cause economic decline in cities with lost revenue and increased liability for harm from cell antenna, as this is an exemption wireless providers have in their insurance policies. The far-reaching Telecommunications  Act of 1996 helps businesses roll out wireless and simultaneously dismisses health or environmental concerns.

Headlines 5G and Cell Phones

5G “Mobile” Technology Requires an Army of Fixed Antennas

Far from being mobile, this technology will depend on thousands of  fixed “small cell” antennae throughout cities and residential neighborhoods, about 300 meters (~1000 feet) apart. In order to function, these short wavelength radiofrquencies (6-100 Gigahertz or GHz) will be pulsing at billions of times a second (1GHz=1 Billion cycles /sec) and will be continuously emitting radiation 24 hours a day.  In a addition, a newer technology which is used in the military for early warning missile radar systems, PAVE PAWS, is incorporated into these systems called phased arrays, where by more powerful built in “beam steering” arrays scan back and forth from tower to device and from device to tower for easier connection with an individual’s movement, similar to the missile systems. Phased arrays are also used in AM and FM radio broadcast stations and proposed for automotive radar sensing.  The cell phones will operate with higher power and shielding for electrical interference but no apparent shielding for the user.  There has been no premarket testing for health or environmental harm. Cities across the globe are now conducting trials for 5G before full commercial rollout expected in 2018/2019. A Smart Cities Council Smart Cities Council is promoting this technology worldwide.  Plug  and Play Technologies, which “brings together the best startups and the worlds largest corporations”, also promotes this untested but innovative technology. Video- The Connected Era

Sacramento Leads the Way with 6 Antennas Already Installed and San Jose Smart City Initiative  Close Behind

5G Signals the Skin Through Sweat Glands 

Although 5G only penetrates the outer layers of skin, elements in the skin can act as a mini antennas radiating the RF frequencies deeper into the body and signaling the nervous, endocrine and immune system with broad adverse effects. There has been no pre market testing of 5G. It is assumed safe if it does not burn the skin. Like prior 2G, 3G and 4G networks, they are considered dangerous only if they heat the body. FCC guidelines are only based on heat. There has been no consideration for adverse  biological effects found at non thermal levels in a multitude of studies on 2G, 3G or 4G.  In addition, 5G technology has a disturbing data gap with regards to research on human or environmental safety, that is even admitted by industry. No studies done, no harm seen.

Scientists and Physicians Call for a Moratorium on 5G

Scientists and physicians on the other hand have called for a moratorium on 5G with a  5G Appeal.  They feel there is substantial evidence of adverse public health and environmental  effects, along with the uncontested fact that there is little research on health or environmental effects of 5G technology, although research indicates there area adverse effects on skin and eyes.  Similar to other toxins we are exposed to there is no premarket or post market testing.

Dr. Martin Pall has complied a remarkable compendium on 5G scientific information and highlights the lack of appropriate agencies to consider robust research on biological effects of wireless technologies.The online book is here-  5G: Great risk for EU, U.S. and International Health! Compelling Evidence for Eight Distinct Types of Great Harm Caused by Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them 

Fiberoptic and Wires: A Safer, Faster, More Private Alternative

Reports indicate that fiberoptic or cable delivery of broadband is 10 times faster than wireless and offers added benefits of privacy, security, significantly lower energy use (mitigates climate change) as well as safety for people and the environment. Other cities such as Chattanooga Tennessee have developed a fiberoptic broadband system fiberoptic broadband system with one gigabit per second over the EPB fiber network. Unfortunately, big wireless companies such as Verizon and AT&T wish to remove all barriers to their dominant business model and thus have sued cities for unfair competition, even though cites are provided broadband equality to all. Companies are going around that by allowing all service providers to use the fiberoptic for fast service.  A concise and important publication which helps cities navigate the laws to provide faster, cheaper, safer and more equitable broadband service- Reinventing Wires: The Future of Landlines and Networks- is  here.

See also:

5G Fiberoptic to the Home: The Smarter Option Over Wireless

There is growing concern, despite industry ads,  that 5G is overrated and that the expense will not match profit margin. There is also closer scrutiny of the 5G rollout with the knowledge that underground fiberoptic networks are much more reliable than wireless networks in a fire or for emergencies.

The exceptional  publication Reinventing Wires: The Future of Landlines and Networks  reviews the advantages of fiberoptic networks and why cities and municipalities are developing cable networks for local and rural areas.  Community Owned Open Access MuniNetworks are the fastest growing and safer alternative to 5G antennas.  Utility poles overloaded with cell antenna equipment from multiple carriers were responsible for fires in Malibu in 2007, costing about $100 million in fines. This is a more common occurrence with severe weather changes and aging poles.

Advantages of Fiberoptic to the premises (FTTP):

5G Moratorium Called for by Scientists Due to Human and Environmental Threats

5G: International Society of Doctors Environmental Appeal 2018

The International Society of Doctors for the Environment states in their 5 G Appeal for a moratorium on  5G “We believe it should be unethical to ignore the available evidence waiting a possible “a posteriori” demonstration of health damages in the presence of a present and potentially manageable risk for public health…..Thus, in the respect of the precautionary principle and of the WHO principle “health in all policies”, we believe suitable the request of a standstill for the “5G experimentations” throughout Europe until an adequate and active involvement of public institutions operating in the field of environmental health (health ministry, environmental ministry, national environmental and health agencies) will be effectively planned.”

International 5G Appeal: Scientists and Doctors Warn of Potential Serious Health Effects

We the undersigned scientists and doctors  recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry.  5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment.”        5G Appeal

Newly Published Scientific Articles on 5G and Public Health

Shearwood McClelland, III, MD and Jerry J. Jaboin, MD, PhD, Open Letter Regarding 5G and Need for Physician Involvement

Department of Radiation Medicine,  Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Oregon- On 5G Technology. “The impending rollout of fifth-generation (5G) Wi-Fi in mobile phones, augmenting the current fourth-generation (4G) technology toward making global interconnectivity between devices a reality, has been touted as a significant improvement of speed compared to current and previous wireless signaling (1) . Less well explored are the potential consequences associated with this need for speed: namely, the substantial increase in biologic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from the 1900-2100 MHz associated with 4G to the 3500 MHz estimated median bandwidth of 5G (2)  While studies of human lymphocytes have indicated no impact of short-term (30-minute) 900 MHz exposure on DNA integrity, animal studies have demonstrated that longterm exposure to 900-1800 MHz via second-generation mobile phone radiation (48 min/d for 30-180 days) induces hippocampal damage…

What is the role of the medical community (particularly radiation oncology) in this arena? Are we to remain silent while focusing only on optimizing care of our immediate patients, or do we have a responsibility to utilize our clinical knowledge of radiation safety and efficacy to aid in preventing corporate profit from being the primary determinant of acceptable radiation exposure from wireless networks?”   Dr. McClelland and Dr. Jaboin Open Letter 5G-2018. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Volume 101, No. 5, 2018 Pg 1274.

5G Information Fact Sheets for Printing

Environmental Health Trust has created information sheets on 5G and Small Cells  that have valuable information and can be shared with policy makers, community leaders and others.

 5G and Small Cells- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW -Color Print Version

 5G and Small Cells- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW- in Black and White Print Version

Scientific letters on health risks from physicians and researchers on small cells.

SaferEMR also has information on 5G –SaferEMR 5G Moratorium and Appeal

5G Wireless Technology: Millimeter Wave Health Effects SaferEMR.com on Millimeter Wave Technology

Should the Internet Really Be Everything?  What’s Not So Smart About Out Smart Tech Future. Alison Main. Paleo Magazine Dec/Jan 2018. Should the Internet Be Everything?

Santa Clara County Medical Association Article- A 5G Wireless Future

 5G Wireless Future: Will it Give us A Smart Nation or Contribute to an Unhealthy One? 2017 SCCMA Bulletin

Review Articles Regarding Harm

Radiation From Cell Phones, Wi Fi are Hurting the Birds and the Bees; 5G May Make it Worse. 5/19/18 Newsweek

5G: Great Risk for EU, U.S., and International Health. Compelling Evidence of Eight Distinct Types of Harm Cause by Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them.

5G From Blankets to Bullets: Phased Arrays

A 5G Wireless Future-Will it Give Us a Smart Nation or Contribute to an Unhealthy One? SCCMA Bulletin June, 2017

A 5G Wireless Future: Will it Contribute to an Unhealthy One? PDF with References

5G Wireless Technology: Millimeter Wave Health Effects

What’s Not So Smart About Our Smart Tech Future?

Senator Patrick Colbeck Discusses the Health Risks of Wireless Technology and 5G Expansion, March 15, 2018

Technology Business Perspective

Here is a  Technology Industry Review of their plans for the Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, self driving cars and more. Continue to scroll  down for information regarding health and safety concerns.

Industry Describes Fixed Wireless Systems Development

In a Wireless 2020 Business Conference, Moderator of RCR Wireless News opens discussion of current plans for fixed wireless access by companies in the the initial development phase of 5G technology.  They point out that this wireless system is not really mobile but depends on thousands of fixed antenna for use.  Cost becomes an issue for this proposed widespread technology.  They discuss different bands and characteristics for use. An interesting business perspective which does not include health or environmental effects. March 2017.

5G Wireless Technology: Cutting Through the Hype

Dr. Joel Moskowitz  (SaferEMR.com) discusses the hype and realities of the “Global Race to 5G” which industry states will be 100 times faster and connect with 100 times more device in 5G Wireless Technology: Cutting Through the Hype. He also discusses the EMF Scientist Appeal to the WHO to urge reevaluation of safety standards for 2G,3G and 4G technology as well as a 5G Moratorium Appeal. Scientists and Doctors call for 5G Moratorium.

5G Technology: Potential Risks To Human Health: Excerpts From Scientific Conference, Israel, January 2017.

 Physicist Dr. Paul Ben-Ishai discusses his research on 5G technology and how millimeter wavelengths affect human skin and sweat glands preferentially and act as helical antennas from 75 to 100 Gigahertz millimeter wavelengths.

What Cities are Testing 5G in 2018?

Many major cities have installed 5G test sites. There is testing for reliability of communications however no testing is performed for health or safety.  They expect commercial rollout later in 2018.  In the tests listed below,  the  5G millimeter frequencies range from 3GHz to about 27 GHz.

United States

Sacramento -The First City to Have 5G- Questions Raised About 5G Health Risks Months Before Sacramento Launches Service. May 29, 2018.  CBS Local. https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/05/29/questions-raised-about-5g-health-risks-months-before-sacramento-launches-service  The City of Sacramento partnered with Verizon to offer 5G. A spokesperson told CBS13 the City of Sacramento currently has six active 5G sites- all are on SMUD utility poles:

Sacramento will soon initiate testing in residencies for 5G. Editor’s Corner—How the city of Sacramento got to 5G, and what it means for the rest of the U.S. April 2, 2018 FierceWireless. https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/editor-s-corner-how-city-sacramento-got-to-5g-and-what-it-means-for-rest-u-s

How Smart is San Jose? Silicon Valley’s Biggest City Tries to Catch Up with the Digital Future. July 26, 2018. Metro Silicon Valley. Lauren Hepler. https://www.sanjoseinside.com/2018/07/26/how-smart-is-san-jose-silicon-valleys-biggest-city-tries-to-catch-up-with-the-digital-future/

San Jose Smart City Initiative: San Jose picks three companies to make street lights ‘smart,’ set groundwork for 5G. Silicon Valley Business Journal. June 15, 2018. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2018/06/15/san-jose-picks-three-companies-to-make-street.html

San Jose Smart City Vision.  Offering Game changing technology and data-driven decision making. Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo. https://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=5289

San Jose Smart Cities and Service Improvement Committee Meetings Held Quarterly. Smart City Improvement Workplanhttp://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=5730

Dallas, Waco, Atlanta-  AT&T Measuring Gigabit Download Speeds Using Millimeter Wave Spectrum in 5G Tests. April 11, 2018. https://www.radiomagonline.com/trends/at-t-measuring-gigabit-download-speeds-using-millimeter-wave-spectrum-in-5g-tests

Verizon Will Light Up  Fixed 5G in 3 Markets in 2018.  Nov 30, 2017 https://www.sdxcentral.com/articles/news/verizon-will-light-fixed-5g-3-5-markets-2018/2017/11/.  2018 Cites with 5G

Verizon Testing super Fast 5G Internet With Customers in 11 Cities. Feb 22, 2017. http://fortune.com/2017/02/22/verizon-testing-5g-11-cities/. Verizon Plans 5G in 11 Cities in America

Washington D.C. 5G Testing -Washington D.C- 5G Permit Washington DC-OET Special Temporary Authority Report

New Jersey- 5G Testing- New Jersey5G Permit NJ-FCC FORM 442

World

Paris–Orange Starts 5G Testing in Paris: After successful trials in Romania, Orange begins testing 5G use cases in its home country. July 19, 2018. https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252445178/Orange-starts-5G-tests-in-Paris

Melbourne- NBN Co To Run 5G Tests in Melbourne: Future fixed Wireless Enhancement. Ericsson. April 10, 2018. https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-to-run-5g-tests-in-melbourne-488643

Manilla, Philippines- Smart posts speeds of 14.97 Gbps in latest 5G tests. June 27, 2018. https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/205721-smart-5g-tests-philippines-june-2018

Africa- MTN Takes Its 5G Tests Outdoors. May 9, 2018. http://www.connectingafrica.com/author.asp?section_id=530&doc_id=742935

Canada and New Zealand announce major 5G tests, but national service remains years off. March 19, 2018. https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/19/canada-and-new-zealand-announce-major-5g-tests-but-national-service-remains-years-off/

Testimony against 5G cell towers

Actress Ali McGraw testifies against 5G cell tower bill in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

News Articles 5G

https://mdsafetech.org/problems/5g/