EMFSA August 2025 Newsletter reports on the U.S. Probe Into MTN: MTN, a major pan-African telecom established in South Africa in 1994, is under a U.S. Department of Justice grand jury investigation relating to its former Afghan subsidiary and stake in Irancell. The company is fully cooperating with authorities.
MTN’s half-year 2025 financial report confirms ongoing cooperation and promises updates on material developments. The 2024 annual report had disclosed U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act litigation but assessed liability as “remote” with no contingent liabilities.
Analysis by the Foreign Policy Research Institute highlights potential implications for multinational companies in geopolitically complex regions.
Aviation / 5G Interference
Researchers at KAUST (Saudi Arabia) developed a new mathematical approach to protect aircraft from 5G interference. The study defines an ideal exclusion zone around runways, balancing safety with network performance. This model is expected to guide aviation regulators and telecom authorities in 5G tower deployment near airports.
Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP)
Decades of research have explored wireless solar energy from orbit. Current designs convert sunlight via photovoltaic cells in geostationary orbit into microwaves, which are transmitted to rectennas on Earth and fed into the grid. Recent studies suggest SBSP could play a key role in Europe’s clean energy transition.
5G / 6G and Human Skin
New studies examine how millimeter waves interact with skin and cells. Modeling shows human skin cannot be treated as uniform when exposed to 5G/6G millimeter waves. Short-term exposure to 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz fields does not affect oxidative stress or DNA repair in human skin cells under controlled conditions. The findings are limited to acute exposures of up to 48 hours, and longer-term studies in more realistic biological models are needed.
WHO RF-EMF Systematic Reviews – Swiss FOEN & FOPH
High reliability was observed for carcinogenicity in animal studies, but results do not directly indicate human health effects. Detailed results will be presented in the WHO report scheduled for the end of 2025. Switzerland’s federal protection framework remains in place, guided by the Environmental Protection Act and the Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation, with the precautionary principle central.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses for WHO RF-EMF Assessment
A special issue of Environment International presents the culmination of four years of collaborative work by over 80 global scientific experts. It includes nine protocols and twelve systematic reviews supporting human health risk assessment of RF-EMF exposure. The editorial summarizes methodology, commissioning processes, and key findings.
Environmental 60 Hz Magnetic Fields (MFs)
A new study analyzed electric fields induced by powerline frequency (60 Hz) magnetic fields in human legs. Results underline the importance of rigorous modeling to refine exposure systems, standards, and guidelines.
Radon
Switzerland maintains one of the most detailed national radon databases worldwide, with around 300,000 indoor measurements. Other countries have similar databases, though methodologies vary.
Recent measurements in Scotland revealed elevated radon levels in nine Highland Council properties, including two schools, underscoring the importance of regular testing. South Africa currently lacks a comprehensive national radon database.
AI
Parents of a teenager who took his own life have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI. The company has announced plans to modify ChatGPT following the case, which claimed the chatbot contributed to the teen’s suicide.
In Memoriam
We are deeply saddened by the passing of George Parker, an icon in the EHS community. His contributions and legacy will be long remembered.
Read the EMFSA August 2025 Newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/emfsa/august-2025-newsletter
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EMFSA August 2025 Newsletter: Logo of EMFSA, illustrating the focus on electromagnetic field safety and awareness, combining stylized RF waves with imagery of communication towers
