If you've ever walked through a city you might have noticed tiny 5G cell towers on street light poles. what is a safe distance from a cell tower look like small boxes, but they're actually broadcasting wireless signals from cell phone providers to your phone.
The smaller ones are being replaced by the larger specially-designed cell towers. While they're less noticeable but they can still cause issues for users.
The FCC's Radiation Exposure Thresholds
The FCC's Radiation Exposure Thresholds determine the maximum amount of time an individual can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices. The exposure limits are based on scientific data that prove that electromagnetic energy could be harmful to human health.
The specific absorption rate (SAR) is an indication of the radiofrequency energy that is absorbed by tissue. It's typically 1.6 milliwatts per kilogram spread over a kilogram of tissue.
But, since 5g operates at higher frequencies this could be able to create more energy on the skin and other exposed body areas. This could result in a wide range of possible harms, such as an increase in development of skin diseases such as dermatitis, cataracts and skin cancer.
Due to the possible negative effects of 5G radiation, PSU has chosen to create a general limits on power density, which is 4mW/cm2 based on the average over 1 cm2, but not to exceed 30 minutes, for the entire 5G spectrum at 3000 GHz. This localized limit is consistent with the peak spatial-average SAR of 1.6 W/kg, averaged over one 5 grams of body tissue, at 6 GHz.
The FCC's Maximum Exposure Thresholds
If you've ever used a mobile phone, then you're aware that a safe location from the tower should be at least 400 meters away. This is because the power of the transmission of cell towers increases drastically the farther you are from it.
While it sounds like something that's good, the reality is that those living close to towers might be more prone to health issues. For instance, a 2014 study in India discovered that people living within 50 meters of cell towers experienced much more health problems than those who were away from the antennas.
This study showed that residents who moved to areas that were further from cell towers experienced their symptoms improve within a couple of days. Studies have also revealed that exposure to high frequencies of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can cause cancer, brain tumors and other health issues.
This is because RF radiation, used in wireless communications, may penetrate the body's outer layer, which is the skin. This is important to understand because the skin acts as a protective barrier against injuries caused by mechanical forces, infections by pathogenic microorganisms, and infiltration of toxic substances. Additionally, it is the biggest organ of the human body. It is responsible for maintaining the integrity of other organs.
The FCC's Minimum Exposure Thresholds
The FCC's Minimum Exposition Thresholds depend on several assumptions that aren't supported by scientific research. This includes the false assumption that exposures to RF radiation are safe because of the minimal penetration into the body (i.e., tissue heating).
This assumption does not take into account the more extensive penetration of ELF elements of modulated radio signals and the consequences of short bursts of heat generated by RF waves that are pulsed. These theories are not compatible with current understanding of the biological consequences of RF radiation, and thus they shouldn't be used for health protective exposure guidelines.
Additionally there is the fact that both ICNIRP and FCC restrict their maximum limit of exposure to the local SARs, based on the maximum spatial specific absorption rate (psSAR), which can be described as an inadequate dosimetric tool to assess the amount of radiation exposure. Particularly it is inconclusive for frequencies that exceed 6 GHz. Furthermore, psSAR has not been evaluated for RF radiation that is exposed to other agents of the environment such like sunlight. In what is a safe distance from a cell tower of interactions, RF radiations with different environmental agents could result in antagonistic or synergistic effects. This would result in an increased risk of negative health consequences. For instance, exposure to RF radiation with sunlight may increase the risk of skin cancer and exacerbate other skin disorders, such as acne.