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Technological developments and the multiplication of digital uses are modifying the exposure of the population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. With the deployment of 5G, new frequency bands are being (3.5 GHz band), or will soon be used (26 GHz band). In line with its research on radiofrequencies and health, and on the basis of the scientific data available to date, ANSES considers it unlikely that the deployment of 5G in the 3.5 GHz frequency band will present a new health risk. For the 26 GHz frequency band, the data are not, at present, sufficient to conclude on the existence or not of health effects. As knowledge of the links between exposure and health effects needs to be strengthened, ANSES stresses the need for further research, and in particular, to monitor changes in the exposure of populations as the number of antennas changes and the use of networks increases. On April 20, 2021, the Agency is launching a public consultation in order to gather possible comments from the scientific community and interested stakeholders.

5G: new 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands to allow higher speeds and communications between more connected objects

The major difference between 5G and previous generation mobile networks is the much larger amount of data that should be able to be exchanged without network congestion. This new technology aims to promote the development of innovative services and new uses, both for individuals and businesses in multiple areas: virtual reality, transport, urban connections, industry, telemedicine, online education.

Beyond the exploitation of the frequency bands already used by other mobile technologies, 5G now uses the 3.5 GHz band for coverage in large geographical areas , allocated to the four mobile operators at the end of 2020. The 26 GHz band will complete the network in the next few years, particularly for communication between connected objects.

Deployment of 5G in the 700 MHz-2.1 GHz frequency band largely covered by previous ANSES research

To date, operators have mainly deployed 5G in the 700 MHz – 2.1 GHz band. This band includes frequencies used for several years by the current generations of mobile communication, 2G, 3G and 4G.  

Previous work carried out by ANSES on the effects linked to exposure to electromagnetic waves in the radiofrequency range indicates that there is currently no proof of a health effect linked to electromagnetic fields sources corresponding to current digital uses. The examination of possible effects, such as the development of cancer, impaired brain function or fertility, however, continues to be the subject of research and evaluation.

For exposure levels, studies carried out internationally and by the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) show that they vary little with antennas emitting 3G, 4G or 5G signals.

Deployment of 5G in the 3.5 GHz band: new health risks unlikely

The 5G mobile telephone network in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz has recently been commercially opened in France. The resulting exposure to electromagnetic fields today is not representative of what it will be in the future.

Due to the lack of scientific data concerning possible effects at this frequency, ANSES has carried out additional investigations to identify whether exposure to different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation causes the appearance of different biological effects or in modulus. intensity. A rigorous extrapolation of the results of scientific studies carried out at different frequencies to draw conclusions about the possible effects in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz was not considered feasible by the experts.  

In addition, the available data relating to exposure, particularly abroad and in studies carried out by ANFR in connection with the experiments, do not suggest, in the state of knowledge, a significant increase in exposure. exposure of the population.

In view of these elements, the Agency considers it unlikely that the deployment of 5G in the frequency band around 3.5 GHz currently poses new health risks.

Exposure to the frequency band around 26 GHz: exposures concerns the superficial layers of the organism and of a probably low level, but insufficient data to conclude whether or not a risk to health exists.

As the deployment of 5G applications in the frequency band around 26 GHz is still in the planning stages, no exposure data is currently available.

ANSES considered a widened frequency band, from 18 to 100 GHz, for which the depth of penetration of the waves is similar, to investigate the possible effects on health described in the available scientific literature. This mainly studied the effects on the skin, the eye, the membranes, the central nervous system and cells from various human or animal tissues (skin, neurons, cornea, etc.).

ANSES sought to assess the probable exposure in the 26 GHz band: it differs from other frequency bands by a much smaller depth of penetration of the waves into the body, of the order of a millimeter, exposing surface layers of the skin or eye. The available simulations suggest low exposure levels .

However, at present, the data are not sufficient to conclude whether or not there are health effects linked to exposure to electromagnetic fields in the 26 GHz band.

A need to continue producing new data and knowledge

As knowledge of the links between exposure and health effects needs to be strengthened, ANSES stresses the need for further research. Indeed, the Agency’s experts recommend characterizing the exposures and deepening our knowledge of the links between exposure and biological or health effects for new frequencies, including experimental studies. Work on 5G has led to the identification of the need to take into account new points of attention (eg signal intermittence or surface layer exposure for the 26 GHz band). It will also be particularly important to monitor the evolution of exposure as the antenna base expands and the use of networks increases.

A public consultation of the Agency’s work until June 1, 2021

In view of the societal interest in the subject and the possible rapid emergence of new data in connection with the current deployment of 5G, the Agency is launching a public consultation on April 20, 2021 in order to collect any comments from the scientific community. and interested stakeholders. A completed report and opinion, if applicable, will be published after taking into account the comments received during this consultation, which begins today for a period of 6 weeks.

The post ANSES, 5G: health risks around 3.5 GHz unlikely (in view of the available data). For 26 GHz, currently insufficient data. appeared first on EMFSA.

After discovering a light-dependent molecular pathway that regulates how blood vessels develop in the eye, scientists at Cincinnati Children’s suggest it may be possible to use light therapy to help preterm infants avoid life-long vision problems.

A study in mouse models reveals that normal function of the Opsin 5-dopamine pathway is needed to ensure the correct balance of blood vessel development in the eye. This process can be disrupted in medically fragile preterm infants, with significant consequences.

“Our study indicates that the Opsin 5-dopamine pathway is part of a light-dependent disease process for retinopathy of prematurity” says Richard Lang, PhD, director of the Visual Systems Group and the study’s senior author. “It raises the interesting possibility that we might be able to use light exposure to treat this disease and save the sight of thousands of premature infants.”

Minh-Thanh Nguyen, PhD, formerly a research associate in Lang’s lab, was the study’s lead author. Co-authors included Mike Iuvone, PhD, Emory University, as well as Russell Van Gelder, MD, PhD, and Ethan Buhr, PhD, from the University of Washington.

Read more at: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/cincinnati/annual-report/2019/report/ophthalmolo

The study:

Nguyen MT, Vemaraju S, Nayak G, Odaka Y, Buhr ED, Alonzo N, Tran U, Batie M, Upton BA, Darvas M, Kozmik Z, Rao S, Hegde RS, Iuvone PM, Van Gelder RN, Lang RA. An opsin 5-dopamine pathway mediates light-dependent vascular development in the eye. Nat Cell Biol. 2019 Apr;21(4):420-429.

The post How Light Therapy Might Prevent Vision Problems in Preterm Infants appeared first on EMFSA.

After discovering a light-dependent molecular pathway that regulates how blood vessels develop in the eye, scientists at Cincinnati Children’s suggest it may be possible to use light therapy to help preterm infants avoid life-long vision problems.

A study in mouse models reveals that normal function of the Opsin 5-dopamine pathway is needed to ensure the correct balance of blood vessel development in the eye. This process can be disrupted in medically fragile preterm infants, with significant consequences.

“Our study indicates that the Opsin 5-dopamine pathway is part of a light-dependent disease process for retinopathy of prematurity” says Richard Lang, PhD, director of the Visual Systems Group and the study’s senior author. “It raises the interesting possibility that we might be able to use light exposure to treat this disease and save the sight of thousands of premature infants.”

Minh-Thanh Nguyen, PhD, formerly a research associate in Lang’s lab, was the study’s lead author. Co-authors included Mike Iuvone, PhD, Emory University, as well as Russell Van Gelder, MD, PhD, and Ethan Buhr, PhD, from the University of Washington.

Read more at: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/cincinnati/annual-report/2019/report/ophthalmolo

The study:

Nguyen MT, Vemaraju S, Nayak G, Odaka Y, Buhr ED, Alonzo N, Tran U, Batie M, Upton BA, Darvas M, Kozmik Z, Rao S, Hegde RS, Iuvone PM, Van Gelder RN, Lang RA. An opsin 5-dopamine pathway mediates light-dependent vascular development in the eye. Nat Cell Biol. 2019 Apr;21(4):420-429.

The post How Light Therapy Might Prevent Vision Problems in Preterm Infants appeared first on EMFSA.

Abstract

The introduction of the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication will increase the number of high-frequency-powered base stations and other devices. The question is if such higher frequencies (in this review, 6–100 GHz, millimeter waves, MMW) can have a health impact. This review analyzed 94 relevant publications performing in vivo or in vitro investigations. Each study was characterized for: study type (in vivo, in vitro), biological material (species, cell type, etc.), biological endpoint, exposure (frequency, exposure duration, power density), results, and certain quality criteria. Eighty percent of the in vivo studies showed responses to exposure, while 58% of the in vitro studies demonstrated effects. The responses affected all biological endpoints studied. There was no consistent relationship between power density, exposure duration, or frequency, and exposure effects. The available studies do not provide adequate and sufficient information for a meaningful safety assessment, or for the question about non-thermal effects. There is a need for research regarding local heat developments on small surfaces, e.g., skin or the eye, and on any environmental impact. Our quality analysis shows that for future studies to be useful for safety assessment, design and implementation need to be significantly improved.

The post 5G Wireless Communication and Health Effects—A Pragmatic Review Based on Available Studies Regarding 6 to 100 GHz appeared first on EMFSA.

SCIENCE

12/20/2019

With the deployment of 5G, the “electromagnetic fog” in which we live will further intensify. Are there reasons to worry about it? Discover the opinion of three experts:

Yves Le Dréan is a researcher at the Research Institute for Health, Environment and Work (Inserm unit 1085, Evaluation of the impact of electromagnetic waves on human health team , Rennes).

Brigitte Lacour is an epidemiologist at the Sorbonne Paris Cité Center for Epidemiology and Statistics Research (Inserm1153 unit, Paris) and director of the National Register of Solid Tumors in Children.

Olivier Merckel is head of the Physical agents, new technologies and major development unit at the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Security (ANSES) in Maisons-Alfort.

https://www.inserm.fr/actualites-et-evenements/actualites/ondes-electromagnetiques-faut-il-craindre-5g?fbclid=IwAR3_4j49PJQo68hRPO9jg2gh0nZWz3pwFIV2qKRZxZwitXmka0NDO3mAw9I

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See the image in the article: An intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) as it would appear if you looked at a mouse’s retina through the pupil. The white arrows point to the many different types of cells it networks with: other subtypes of ipRGC cell (red, blue and green) and retinal cells that are not ipRGCs (red). The white bar is 50 micrometers long, approximately the diameter of a human hair. (Image by Franklin Caval-Holme)

By the second trimester, long before a baby’s eyes can see images, they can detect light.

But the light-sensitive cells in the developing retina — the thin sheet of brain-like tissue at the back of the eye — were thought to be simple on-off switches, presumably there to set up the 24-hour, day-night rhythms parents hope their baby will follow.

University of California, Berkeley, scientists have now found evidence that these simple cells actually talk to one another as part of an interconnected network that gives the retina more light sensitivity than once thought, and that may enhance the influence of light on behavior and brain development in unsuspected ways.

In the developing eye, perhaps 3% of ganglion cells — the cells in the retina that send messages through the optic nerve into the brain — are sensitive to light and, to date, researchers have found about six different subtypes that communicate with various places in the brain. Some talk to the suprachiasmatic nucleus to tune our internal clock to the day-night cycle. Others send signals to the area that makes our pupils constrict in bright light.

But others connect with surprising areas: the perihabenula, which regulates mood, and the amygdala, which deals with emotions.

Read more at:

Babies in the womb may see more than we thought

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Bratisl Lek Listy. 2018;119(9):588-592. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2018_106

Abstract

The post The effect of exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation on epidermal growth factor, caspase-3, Hsp27 and p38MAPK gene expressions in the rat eye. appeared first on EMFSA.