Concerns about the impact of 5G on human health are largely centred around radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), the part of the spectrum with frequencies between about 20 KHz to 300 GHz. With 5G set to revolutionise everything from communication to industry, understanding its implications is critical. This is where the GOLIAT project, a pioneering research initiative under the Horizon Europe programme, steps in.
The power of international collaboration
GOLIAT aims to overcome a key barrier to effective 5G research by involving researchers with extremely diverse research interests, from engineering and epidemiology to psychology and cellular biology. It pools resources, knowledge and expertise from multiple countries to provide robust evidence on the potential health effects of 5G.
In total, 25 institutions from 12 countries are taking part in the project, including the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter. GOLIAT is embodying the collective effort needed to tackle a challenge of this magnitude. Its international scope allows for a broad representation of diversity, essential for understanding how different countries perceive and experience RF-EMF exposure and the potential risks associated with 5G.
What are electromagnetic fields?
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are all around us, arising from both natural and human-made sources. They range from non-ionising, low-energy radiation, low doses of which are generally considered harmless, to ionising, high-energy radiation, which has the potential to cause cellular and DNA damage.
5G makes use of non-ionising radiation, specifically RF-EMF below 6 GHz, which is used in everything from mobile phones to Wi-Fi routers. Unlike ionising radiation, RF-EMF does not have enough energy to break chemical bonds in molecules, but its increasingly widespread use raises important questions about the potential effects related to long-term exposure. Particularly vulnerable populations may include young people and workers in industries where 5G is deployed.
What is 5G and why does it matter?
Put simply, 5G is much more than a faster version of 4G. With speeds up to 100 times faster than current networks, it’s a transformative technology that is designed to meet the exploding demand for data and connectivity in our increasingly digital world. 5G is poised to drive innovations in everything from smart cities to autonomous vehicles. The frequencies used by 5G are also used in previous telecoms standards, such as 4G, but the exposure to the higher frequencies included in the 5G standard needs to be assessed to ascertain whether there are any negative health effects.
The GOLIAT project is specifically designed to address such uncertainties. The research will develop next-generation methods to assess RF-EMF exposure and explore whether there may be any neuropsychological effects or broader health impacts at a population level.
The UK’s role in the GOLIAT project
The UK plays a critical role in GOLIAT, particularly in the area of occupational health and how 5G affects workers. Workers are increasingly surrounded by RF-EMF due to the widespread use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial settings. The University of Bristol is leading research together with institutes from Belgium, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.
Real-life testing
One of the most innovative aspects of the GOLIAT project is its commitment to real-life testing. Rather than relying solely on laboratory experiments, the project incorporates in vivo, in vitro and in silico studies, alongside human trials.
In a controlled cross-over quasi-experimental design, the University of Bristol will recruit companies where 5G technology is being used. They aim to conduct repeated measurements of both exposure and neuropsychological outcomes before and after 5G implementation, with a control group for comparison. This method will allow researchers to draw robust conclusions about the potential health risks posed by 5G in occupational settings.
Frank de Vocht, Professor in Epidemiology and Public Health, said:
Based on what we know about exposures to RF-EMF and potential associations with health effects of workers and the general population, there is likely little reason for concern. However, we want to make sure that this is indeed correct, particularly for workers who may get exposed to higher levels or new types of exposure patterns than with older technologies.
The data gathered by the University of Bristol’s experiments will be used in comparison with evidence from other studies within the GOLIAT project looking at the effects of RF-EMF on brain function, thermoregulation and radical stress. By combining data from different experimental setups this project will build a comprehensive understanding of how 5G might affect our health.
This holistic approach is designed to provide more definitive answers about the neuropsychological effects of 5G.
Risk perception and communication
Understanding the science is only part of the equation. Communicating the science effectively is equally important. GOLIAT places a strong emphasis on risk communication, recognising that public trust is essential for the successful deployment of new technologies like 5G.
The University of Exeter, along with institutions in Austria, Germany, Japan, Poland and Spain, is focusing on understanding public perceptions of 5G and developing tools to address misconceptions about how this technology works. This is a critical component of the GOLIAT project, as it seeks to explore how different groups perceive 5G and identify any misconceptions that may exist. By pinpointing these misconceptions, the project aims to create targeted messaging that helps ensure the public has accurate information supporting informed decision-making about 5G and RF-EMF.
The project aims to co-design communication tools and methods with the public, ensuring that the information is not only accurate but also accessible and responsive to public concerns.
Dr James Grellier, Senior Research Fellow at University of Exeter, said:
In order to understand how the public understanding of mobile technologies, including 5G, differs from that of experts, we first conducted detailed interviews with representatives of both groups.
We then drew up ‘mental models’ describing our findings in the expert and non-expert groups. Based on mismatches between these two mental models, we designed an online survey that focuses in on these misconceptions. We’ve administered the survey in over eleven thousand people in eleven countries and are currently analysing how prevalent certain misunderstandings are, and which characteristics of the population best predict them. We’re excited to see how our analyses of these data can inform better messaging around exposure to RF-EMFs and health.
Shaping the future of 5G
As the GOLIAT project advances, its findings will inform the global landscape of 5G deployment, help develop international guidelines for exposure prevention, and influence policies that promote the safe and equitable rollout of this transformative technology.
GOLIAT is funded by Horizon Europe with the UK participation supported by the UK government, under the Horizon Europe guarantee.
Top image: A phone user using a smartphone. Credit: James Grellier