Cell Tower Radiation and Phone Usage aren’t constant—they change depending on how many phones are actively connected to the network. When fewer devices are in use, the tower transmits less, so radiation levels are lower. During periods of heavy phone activity—such as evening streaming in busy neighborhoods or commuting hours—towers increase their signal to keep everyone connected, which naturally raises emissions.

Cell Tower Radiation and Phone Usage in Modern Towers

Modern 4G LTE, LTE-Advanced, and 5G towers are designed to operate efficiently by adjusting signal transmission based on network demand. Several key technologies make this possible:

• Beamforming: Sends signals in specific directions toward active devices instead of broadcasting equally in all directions.
• Massive MIMO: Uses multiple antenna elements that can be managed to support active users more efficiently.
• Dynamic Power Control: Adjusts the tower’s output based on how many devices are connected and the signal conditions.
• Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) and Sleep Modes: Allows parts of the system to reduce or pause transmission when there is little or no data to send.

Massive MIMO and beamforming play an especially important role in modern networks. Massive MIMO uses many antenna elements to serve multiple users at the same time while managing power efficiently. Beamforming focuses signals toward specific active devices rather than broadcasting energy in all directions. This targeted approach helps maintain strong, reliable connections and ensures that the tower transmits only what is needed to reach active users.

Older towers may not have all of these features and may transmit at more constant power levels. Most modern cellular networks, however, are designed to adjust their operation depending on usage to maintain reliable service.

Why It Matters

Radiation levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and vary by location. Towers in densely populated areas or during peak usage periods generally have higher emissions, while rural or low-traffic areas typically see lower transmission levels. Understanding this helps explain why exposure is not fixed but changes depending on network activity.

Further reading

References

Massive MIMO Systems for 5G and Beyond Networks—Overview, Recent Trends, Challenges, and Future Research Direction https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7284607/

What Is 5G Wireless Technology? https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/what-is-5g

What Is Beamforming? https://ww2.mathworks.cn/discovery/beamforming.html

Make the Most of Massive MIMO https://www.ericsson.com/en/ran/massive-mimo

Dynamic Power Control https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/dynamic-power-control

Optimal Operation of Base Stations With Deep Sleep and Discontinuous Transmission https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8458429

*Image adapted from photo by Michael Jiang on Unsplash 

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Excerpt:

As people are increasingly addicted to their cell phones, it is important to know the unintended costs associated with reaching for this device every spare minute. Although people may assume that it is not different from any other kind of interaction or break, this study shows that the phone might be more cognitively taxing than expected.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7044622/

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The book Phonegate (Massot éditions) by Dr Marc Arazi, translated into English by Regan Kramer and prefaced by Devra Davis (President of Environmental Health Trust), is now available on Amazon’s American platform and all over the world.

To get it, click here
https://www.amazon.com/dp/2958316904

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Health Effects of Cellphone & Cell Tower Radiation: Implications for 5G
Speaker: Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD

Center for Occupational and Environmental Health Webinar

November 3, 2021

12 – 1 PM Pacific Time | 2 – 3 PM Central Time | 3 – 4 PM Eastern Time

The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) is one of 18 regional Education and Research Centers, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The ERC supports traineeships at three UC campuses, UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UCSF. 

About the webinar:

97% of U.S. adults own a cellphone of some kind. The vast majority, 85%, own a smartphone. This presentation will summarize research on biologic and health effects from exposure to radio frequency radiation emitted by cell phones and cell towers. Learners will also discuss the implications of this research for 5G, the fifth generation of cellular technology.

Learning objectives:

At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:

– Describe what wireless or radio frequency (RF) radiation is, including 5G, and its relationship to ionizing radiation
– Summarize the biologic and health effects caused by, or associated with, RF radiation exposure
– Explain why current national and international RF radiation exposure limits fail to protect the health of humans and other species

Speaker: Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD

Joel M. Moskowitz, PhD, has directed the Center for Family and Community Health in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley since 1993. Dr. Moskowitz has published research on disease prevention for 40 years. In 2009 he served as the senior author on a hallmark paper reviewing research on mobile phone use and tumor risk published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Last year he updated this meta-analysis in a paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This year he co-authored a paper on electrohypersensitivity published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Since 2013 he has translated and disseminated research on the biologic and health effects of wireless radiation through his website (https://saferemr.com). In 2017, with legal representation from the UC Berkeley Environmental Law Clinic, he won a lawsuit against the California Department of Public Health for suppressing its own scientists’ cell phone safety guidance for eight years. This resulted in the Department finally publishing cell phone health warnings. He serves as an advisor to Physicians for Safe Technology and to the International EMF Scientist Appeal which was signed by over 250 scientists who published more than 2,000 papers and letters in professional journals on electromagnetic fields and biology or health.

Free Registration

https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/webinars/21web1103

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Abstract

Background: Implantable pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are designed to include a “magnet mode” feature that can be activated from magnets stronger than 10 G. This feature is designed to be used when a patient is undergoing a procedure where electromagnetic interference is possible, or anytime suspension of tachycardia detection and therapy is needed. A publication in Heart Rhythm demonstrates an iPhone 12 triggering the magnet mode of a Medtronic ICD.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the separation distance between consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, and implantable pacemakers and ICDs where magnet mode can be triggered.

Methods: The static magnetic fields of the iPhone 12 models and Apple Watch were measured at several planes in 1 cm resolution using an FW Bell 5180 Gauss Meter with STD18-0404 Transverse probe (unidirectional probe).

Results: All iPhone 12 and Apple Watch 6 models tested have static magnetic fields significantly greater than 10 G in close proximity (1-11 mm), which attenuates to below 10 G between 11 and 20 mm.

Conclusion: The findings of this study support the US Food and Drug Administration recommendation that patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least 6 inches away from implanted medical devices, in particular pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34600610/

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05/13/2021

Some consumer electronic devices, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, include high field strength magnets. Recent studies have shown that consumer electronic devices with high field strength magnets may cause certain implanted medical devices to switch to “magnet mode” and suspend normal operations until the magnet is moved away from the medical device.

Many implanted medical devices are designed with a “magnet mode” to allow for safe operation during certain medical procedures such as undergoing an MRI scan. These safety features are typically engaged by physicians with the use of a high field strength magnet that is placed near the implanted device placing it into a “magnet mode.” Removal of the magnetic field causes the device to return to normal operation.

Precautions for Patients with Pacemakers and Other Implanted Medical Devices

The FDA recommends patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices, in particular cardiac defibrillators. Many implanted medical devices have FDA-approved information written for patients (patient labeling), which cautions patients to keep all cell phones and smart watches at least six inches from the implanted medical device.

People with implanted medical devices may want to take some simple precautions, including:

• Keep the consumer electronics, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, six inches away from implanted medical devices.
• Do not carry consumer electronics in a pocket over the medical device. 
• Check your device using your home monitoring system, if you have one.
• Talk to your health care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms or have questions regarding magnets in consumer electronics and implanted medical devices.

When near high strength magnets, devices with a magnetic safe mode could stop working or change how the device works. For example, a cardiac defibrillator may be unable to detect tachycardia events. Or it may change the operational mode of the devices such as turning on asynchronous (i.e., two or more events not happening at the same time) mode in a pacemaker.

Cardiac implanted electronic devices are intended to support heart rhythm disorders, such as slow or fast heart rates. When the device stops working, a patient may experience dizziness, loss of consciousness or even death if therapy is not delivered when lifesaving shocks are required.

It is important to emphasize the following: to avoid interference between cell phones and smart watches and your heart device, keep them at least six inches (15 centimeters) away from implanted medical devices. Also, do not place cell phones, smart watches, and other consumer electronics close to your implanted medical device.

The FDA is aware of published articles which describe the effect that sufficiently strong magnetic fields can turn on the magnetic safe mode when in close contact. The FDA also conducted its own testing on some products that use the high field strength magnet feature and have confirmed the magnetic field is both consistent with the publications and strong enough to turn on the magnetic safety mode of the medical devices in question. The FDA believes the risk to patients is low, and the agency is not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue at this time.

The FDA continues to monitor all relevant scientific information about this ongoing issue and will continue to take appropriate action, including informing the public and providing additional information, if the need arises based on its risk analysis.

See related articles at https://tinyurl.com/edvjdh3f

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Source: https://www.phonegatealert.org/en/list-of-mobile-phones-with-non-compliant-sars-removed-or-updated-in-france

List updated as of April 25, 2021

To date, 28 different models of cell phones dangerous to the health of users have been either withdrawn from the French market or have had their Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) updated by software. Among the latest tested with a SAR trunk “non-compliant” we find the smartphone Nokia 7 Plus (SAR 3.48 W/kg) and Sony XPERIA 5 (2.64 W/kg). The manufacturer HMD GLOBAL OY (Nokia) received a financial penalty of 7 500 euros. And very recently in March and April 2021 two smartphones sold by the distributor Boulanger (EssentielB HeYou 60 and 40) with a SAR trunk and limbs “at risk” respectively of 2.86 W/kg and 5.26 W/kg for the HeYou 60 was sanctioned for exceeding regulatory thresholds.

Read more at: https://www.phonegatealert.org/en/list-of-mobile-phones-with-non-compliant-sars-removed-or-updated-in-france

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To see abstracts for the most recent papers (or to download the 770-page document) go to: 

Recent Papers

Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

5G Wireless: Capabilities and Challenges for an Evolving Network (U.S. Government Accountability Office

Health Council of the Netherlands Advisory Report: 5G and Health

Association Between Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure and the Secretion of Melatonin and Cortisol, Two Markers of the Circadian System: A Review

Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents

Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Mobile Communication: Description of Modeled Dose in Brain Regions and the Body in European Children and Adolescents

Effects of different mobile phone UMTS signals on DNA, apoptosis and oxidative stress in human lymphocytes

Comparing chromosome damage induced by mobile telephony radiation and a high caffeine dose: Effect of combination and exposure duration

Effect of mobile phone usage on cognitive functions, sleep pattern, visuospatial ability in Parkinson’s patients; a possible correlation with onset of clinical symptoms

The association of smart mobile phone usage with cognitive function impairment in Saudi adult population

Metabolomics and psychological features in fibromyalgia and electromagnetic sensitivity

The use of a bed with an insulating system of electromagnetic fields improves immune function, redox and inflammatory states, and decrease the rate of aging

Modelling of Total Exposure in Hypothetical 5G Mobile Networks for Varied Topologies and User Scenarios

Radiofrequency exposure of people living near mobile-phone base stations in France

Assessing The Compliance Of Electromagnetic Fields Radiated by Base Stations And wifi Access Points With International Guidelines On University Campus

Radiofrequency Fields and Calcium Movements Into and Out of Cells

Possible effects of different doses of 2.1 GHz electromagnetic radiation on learning, and hippocampal levels of cholinergic biomarkers in Wistar ra

Morphological changes in the vertebrae and central canal of rat pups born after exposure to the electromagnetic field of pregnant rats

Long-term 1800MHz electromagnetic radiation did not induce Balb/c-3T3 cells malignant transformation

Exposure of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells to 50-Hz Magnetic Field: Comparison Between Two-Dimensional (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) In Vitro Cultures

Effect of Intermittent Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields on Umbilical Cord Blood Lymphocytes

Exposure To Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: An Overview

Physiological Ca 2+ Transients Versus Pathological Steady-State Ca 2+ Elevation, Who Flips the ROS Coin in Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria

The post December 2020: 23 New Papers on Electromagnetic Fields and Biology or Health appeared first on EMFSA.

S. Kim and I. Nasim, “Human Electromagnetic Field Exposure in 5G at 28 GHz,” in IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 41-48, 1 Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1109/MCE.2019.2956223.

Abstract:

The fifth-generation wireless (5G) has already started showing its capability to achieve extremely fast data transfer, which makes itself considered to be a promising mobile technology. However, concerns have been raised on adverse health impacts that human users can experience in a 5G system by being exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This article investigates the human EMF exposure in a 5G system and compares them with those measured in the previous-generation cellular systems. It suggests a minimum separation distance between a transmitter and a human user for keeping the EMF exposure below the safety regulation level, which provides consumers with a general understanding on the safe use of 5G communications.

Extract from the conclusion:

However, considering the gravity of this issue, we suggest several directions to be achieved in our future research.

• Human EMF exposure mitigation strategy: We are particularly interested in exploiting the technical features in future wireless systems—i.e., a larger number of BSs within a unit area. Such a paradigm change will enable a holistic, network-based approach to mitigate the EMF exposure as an optimization problem with a set of constraints representing the PD, SAR, and skin-temperature elevation.
• Further studies regarding exact human health impacts caused by EMF exposure: The particular focus will be put on 1) skin dielectric effect with respect to frequency and 2) the effect of radiation when the body is covered with clothing or garment materials.”

Comments:

EMFSA: Note that the 5G comparison graph below refers only to 5G transmitted at 28GHz. 5G transmitted in the mid range uses frequencies similar to 3G and 4G and therefore penetration depths are similar. For clarity the graph should state it is 5G at 28GHz.

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety November 10, 2020:

New IEEE paper questions safety of exposure to 5G cell phone radiation

There has been considerable public pressure in many countries including the U.S. to stop deployment of 5G due to potential health risks. Most of the attention has focused on the cell towers or base stations; however, the safety of using 5G cell phones and other 5G personal devices may be an even greater concern due to the proximity of these devices to our bodies.

A new peer-reviewed paper, “Human Electromagnetic Field Exposure in 5G at 28 GHz,” questions the safety of exposure to 5G millimeter waves. The authors found in a simulation study that use of a 5G cell phone at 28 GHz could exceed ICNIRP (i.e. international) radio frequency exposure limits when held at 8 centimeters (i.e., 3 inches) or closer to the head or body. Whereas the ICNIRP exposure limit for the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is 2.0 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue, the FCC limit is 2-3 times more conservative, namely the SAR limit is 1.6 watts per kilogram averaged over only 1 gram of tissue. This means compliance with the FCC exposure limit would require a greater separation distance from the body than 8 centimeters in the U.S.

Although there have been numerous peer-reviewed papers that have raised serious concerns about the safety of exposure to 5G radiation and/or millimeter waves, this new paper is especially significant because it is published in an industry-sponsored journal, the November/December issue of IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine.

https://www.saferemr.com

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Abstract

Background

It is widely accepted that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their misrepair in stem cells are critical events in the multistage origination of various leukemias and tumors, including gliomas.

Objectives

We studied whether microwaves from mobile telephones of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and the Universal Global Telecommunications System (UMTS) induce DSBs or affect DSB repair in stem cells.

Methods

We analyzed tumor suppressor TP53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) foci that are typically formed at the sites of DSB location (referred to as DNA repair foci) by laser confocal microscopy.

Results

Microwaves from mobile phones inhibited formation of 53BP1 foci in human primary fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. These data parallel our previous findings for human lymphocytes. Importantly, the same GSM carrier frequency (915 MHz) and UMTS frequency band (1947.4 MHz) were effective for all cell types. Exposure at 905 MHz did not inhibit 53BP1 foci in differentiated cells, either fibroblasts or lymphocytes, whereas some effects were seen in stem cells at 905 MHz. Contrary to fibroblasts, stem cells did not adapt to chronic exposure during 2 weeks.

Conclusions

The strongest microwave effects were always observed in stem cells. This result may suggest both significant misbalance in DSB repair and severe stress response. Our findings that stem cells are most sensitive to microwave exposure and react to more frequencies than do differentiated cells may be important for cancer risk assessment and indicate that stem cells are the most relevant cellular model for validating safe mobile communication signals.

“Because almost all organs and tissues possess stem cells and because stem cells are more active in children, the possible relationship of chronic MW exposure and various types of tumors and leukemia—especially in children—should be investigated”.

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