Introduction

5G base stations for wireless communication have been deployed on a broad scale since 2019/2020 in many countries despite no previous research on possible negative effects from the radiation emitted from 5G on human health and the environment. Exposure to pulse-modulated microwave (radiofrequency; RF) radiation has increased dramatically on a world-wide basis [1,2]. Microwaves are frequencies in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. In city environments in Sweden, frequencies used for 5G are currently in the 3.5 GHz band. 5G may be used in combination with 4G (https://pts.se/sv/5g/inforande-av-5g/). The safety limits for exposure to RF radiation applied by most countries around the world are still based on heating (thermal) effects that appear within short time of exposure (less than one hour). They offer no protection against long-term exposure and any other harmful effects that are not based on heating (non-thermal) [3-5]. The guidelines for reference values based on heating are set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a self-appointed private organization based in Germany [3,5]. ICNIRP has world-wide influence and dominance on the evaluation of scientific evidence of negative health effects from RF radiation. Their guidelines are based on evaluations that have rejected non-thermal effects, despite growing evidence of a range of harmful effects well below the ICNIRP levels. The ICNIRP limits are of interest to the telecommunications industry thereby facilitating the deployment of 5G and the other wireless technologies emitting RF radiation [6,7].

Studies on possible health effects from exposure to the 5G frequencies around 3.5 GHz were until recently scarce [8]. In 2009 a study reported oxidative stress in the liver, kidneys, the plasma and increased electrical conductivity of hemoglobin in rats exposed during one month to a 3.5 GHz unmodulated signal with a calculated Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1 W/kg, which is well below the ICNIRP SAR value of 2 W/kg [9].

In a study published in 2022, animals were exposed to the 5G frequency 3.5 GHz (GSM modulated), 1 600 000 μW/m², during 2 hours a day, 5 days a week during one month. The exposure caused oxidative stress and an increase of degenerated neurons in the hippocampus region of the brain. The observed effects may trigger neurodegenerative diseases if exposure is chronic according to the authors [10]. The level of exposure was non-thermal and well below the guidelines recommended by ICNIRP [3,5].

Another study from the same research group published in 2023, with similar exposure (rats exposed to 3.5 GHz, 1 600 000 μW/m², 2 hours/day, 5 days/week during 30 days) reported negative effects on bone strength and oxidative stress parameters in muscle tissue. The latter effect was more pronounced in diabetic rats [11].

In a recently published study, rats were exposed from gestational day 8 to 21 days after birth to 3.5 GHz (continuous wave) at 0.07 W/kg for 22 h/day. Behavioral changes were observed in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group [12].

A study published in 2020 exposed zebrafish embryos to RF radiation 3.5 GHz with SAR calculated to 8.27 W/kg, for 42 hours [13]. No significant impacts on mortality, morphology or photomotor responses were reported, however a slight effect on sensorimotor function which may lead to later effects as “adult neuropsychiatric outcomes, like those detected in previous RFR [Radiofrequency Radiation] studies”. The exposure lacked the characteristics of real life exposure such as modulation, pulsation and simultaneous exposure to multiple frequencies.

In consequence, none of these studies used 5G signals corresponding to the exposure that people are exposed to in real life from 5G base stations that also may be used in combination with 4G technology. However the ones that are most similar to real life exposure are those that used GSM modulation [10,11].

We recently published four case studies on health effects from 5G base stations [14-17]. These studies showed that the study persons developed the microwave syndrome after the installation of 5G base stations that caused high pulsed RF radiation to their dwellings.

The Microwave Syndrome

Microwave syndrome, sickness or illness as an effect of microwave exposure, was reported already in the 1960’s and 1970’s in the East European countries [18,19]. Most affected were the neural, cardiovascular, and endocrine functions. Investigations of exposed workers showed than microwave (RF) exposure at non–thermal levels caused symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headache, sleep disorders, anxiety, and problems with attention and memory [20]. A review of these studies, as well as studies on animals, concluded that “a surprisingly wide variety of neurological and physiological reactions are to be expected” because of exposure to non-thermal levels of RF/microwave radiation [21].

Other term for the illness was radiofrequency sickness syndrome [22,23]. The non-thermal effects depend primarily on the modulation and/or pulsation of the signal and also on the peak and average intensities. Pulsed signals and simultaneous exposure to several frequencies caused more effects and were thus considered more hazardous. The observed effects increased with time of exposure [23,24].

In general, the symptoms declined after the exposure had ceased. According to Marha et al “at a certain time after exposure had ended (sometimes as long as several weeks or more) (see page 31), the organism usually returns to its original physiological state and all subjective and objective complaints vanish” [20].

Previous Studies on Health Effects near Base Stations or Mobile Phone Masts

Since two decades studies investigating health effects among inhabitants near mobile phone masts or base stations have been published. Some studies have investigated prevalence of symptoms identified within the microwave syndrome, others have investigated other outcomes such as cancer or effects on biochemical parameters, for instance hormones or indications of genetic damage [25,26]. One study from France has studied frequency of ALS [27]. According to a review in 2022 of most of these studies, 17 of 23 studies showed evidence for radiofrequency sickness or the microwave syndrome, 10 of 13 reported increased cancer risks and six of eight studies found changes in biochemical markers among people living in the vicinity of masts or base stations [26].

Previous Studies on Health Effects from 5G Base Stations

Recently we published a case report of two previously healthy persons, a man aged 63 years and a woman aged 62 years, who quickly developed symptoms compatible with the microwave syndrome after installation of a 5G base station on the roof above their apartment [14]. Very high RF radiation with maximum peak level >2 500 000 μW/m² was measured in the bedroom located only 5 meters below the new 5G base station on the roof. That is the upper detection limit for the used exposimeter, Safe and Sound Pro II. Before the deployment of the 5G base station maximum peak level of 9 000 μW/m² was measured from the 3G/4G base station that had been located at the same place since several years. Due to the severity of the experienced symptoms, the couple left the apartment within a couple of days for another dwelling with much lower maximum peak RF radiation of 3 500 μW/m². Their symptoms abated within few days. This is an example of a provocation test.

In our second study we presented two men that also developed the microwave syndrome after installation of 5G base station on the roof of the building where their office was located at the top floor [15]. High RF radiation levels were measured in the office with highest maximum peak radiation level of 1 180 000 μW/m² after the deployment of the 5G base station. Within short time after leaving the offices the symptoms that the two men had developed below the 5G base station disappeared. As in the first study, a base station for 3G/4G was already at the spot since several years prior to the replacement by 5G. This was another clear example of a provocation test with the persons being their own control subjects.

In our third case study we studied the exposure to RF radiation from a 5G base station and the health status of a woman aged 52 years living in an apartment 60 meters from the 5G antennas directed at her apartment. The woman developed symptoms of the microwave syndrome within days after the deployment of the 5G base station [16]. Very high peak RF radiation levels, >2 500 000 µW/m², were measured on the balcony facing the base station (highest detection limit for the used exposimeter). In the living room maximum peak levels varied between 222 000 and 758 000 μW/m² at the sofa and window, respectively. The symptoms declined after the woman had left the apartment for another dwelling with considerably lower peak RF radiation levels.

In our fourth case study, we investigated the health of three persons within a family living in an apartment with two 5G base stations at 50 and 70 meters distance, respectively [17]. Maximum (peak) levels of RF radiation measured in the bedrooms of the three studied persons varied from 1 200 000 µW/m² to 166 000 µW/m² near the window and were also high at the pillow in the beds, although lower than at the window. The 5G base stations had been deployed and activated in 2021 and 2022 and there had previously been 3G/4G base stations at the same spot. The family members suffered in various degrees to several of the symptoms identified in the microwave syndrome.

These four studies are to our knowledge among the first that have been published on health effects in persons exposed to real life 5G RF radiation. Thus, we were motivated to investigate further the potential health effects of being exposed to RF radiation from 5G base stations.

This Case Study

In this article we present a new case study of a man, aged 49 years and living together with his adolescent daughter, at 20 meters distance from a 5G base station with antennas directed towards his apartment situated on the third floor of a three floor building (Figure 1).The base station was deployed in November 2022 and placed on the roof of a three floor building on the opposite side of the street. The man’s apartment is situated at the same level as the base station, since the building with the base station is located at a slightly lower height (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Map showing the position of the man’s apartment (A) and the position of the 5G base station (B). The distance is only 20 meters and the antennas of the base station are directed towards the apartment.

Figure 2: Picture of the 5G base station with antennas directed towards the studied apartment.

A base station for 3G/4G had previously been active at least since 2013 on the roof of the same building in front of the man’s apartment, however at a distance further away. The man had lived in the apartment during the same period.

The man and his daughter left the apartment for another dwelling only one week after the deployment of the 5G base station due to the severe effects on the man’s health. It became unbearable to stay in the apartment and he even feared for his life due to the severity of the experienced health effects. In the new dwelling, levels of measured radiation were very much lower. The man revisited the apartment repeatedly during several months to pick up personal belongings.

Methods

On April 25, 2023, the authors of this study visited the man and the apartment of this study for measurements of RF radiation in the apartment. He was also asked to reply questions about symptoms identified within the microwave syndrome and the estimated severity of the symptoms. The questionnaire was also used in our previous case studies. The daughter did not participate in this study.

The measurements were made in the evening of April 25, 2023 between 7 and 8 pm, with the device Safe and Sound Pro II broadband RF meter. The true response detection range is between 400 MHz and 7.2 GHz. It was calibrated by the manufacturer and has an accuracy of ±6 dB (https://safelivingtechnologies. com/products/safe-and-sound-pro-ii-rf-meter.html). The upper detection limit for peak values of the used exposimeter in this study was 3 180 000 μW/m² with linear response between 0.1µW/m² and 1 000 000µW/m². At every investigated place in the apartment 10 measurements, each during 1 minute, were made and the peak value was documented

On October 6, 2023, new measurements were made in the apartment, also in the evening between 6 and 7 pm. This time the Narda broadband field meter NBM-550, with the probe EF1891, measuring frequencies between 3 MHz-18 GHz, was used. In addition, new measurements with the Safe and Sound Pro II broadband RF meter were made. This meter shows peak levels of RF radiation whereas the Narda meter shows results in Root Mean Square (RMS) for both maximum and average. All measurements were made once during 2 minutes at each location.

Results

Measurements of RF radiation

Table 1 shows the results of measurements of RF radiation made April 25, 2023. The highest levels were found in the part of the apartment closest to the 5G base stations; the living room and the daughter’s bedroom. The levels reached the maximum peak measureable level 3 180 000 within 10-15 seconds for each of the ten measurements during one minute at both investigated spots in the living room, the sofa and the table (see Table 1).

Table 1: Measurement of RF radiation in an apartment on April 25, 2023. Results are given in μW/m². Ten measurements with Safe and Sound Pro II were made at every place, each during one minute. Lowest and highest peak levels are displayed.

Also in the daughter’s room very high levels were measured with a peak level at the desk that varied from 1 830 000 μW/m² to >3 180 000 μW/m² for the 10 measurements. (see Table 1 and Figure 3). The desk was only 50 cm from the outer wall, thus the bed situated at 200 cm from the wall was slightly less exposed. Measured levels varied from 146 000 to 820 000 μW/m² (see Table 1 and Figure 3). In the man’s bedroom, measured levels at pillow in the bed ranged from 105 000 to 240 000 μW/m², (See Table 1 and Figure 4). In the kitchen the levels varied between 67 000 μW/ m² and 731 000 μW/m².

Figure 3: Measurements of RF radiation (μW/m²) April 25, 2023 in daughter’s room at the pillow situated 200 cm from outer wall, and at the desk situated 50 cm from outer wall. Ten measurements with Safe and Sound Pro II were made at every place, each during one minute.

Figure 4: Measurements of max (peak) RF radiation (μW/m²) April 25, 2023 in the man’s bedroom at the pillow. Ten measurements with Safe and Sound Pro II were made, each during one minute.

Table 2 shows the results of the follow-up measurements on October 6, 2023. The highest levels of maximum RF radiation, measured with the Narda-550 meter in RMS were at the door entrance to the daughter’s sleeping room, 1 368 021 μW/m². The average RMS value was 332 732 μW/m² at the same place. In the entrance hall and the living room also very high levels were obtained with the Narda meter. Maximum RMS levels between 1 043 047 (hall entrance), 997 274 (living room sofa), and 571 624 μW/m² (living room table) were documented.

In the living room and at the door entrances to the hall and the daughter’s sleeping room, peak levels with the Safe and Sound Pro II were >3 180 000 μW/m², thus higher than the maximum RMS values obtained with the Narda-550 meter (Table 2). It should be noted that the upper detection limit for Safe and Sound Pro II was 3 180 000 μW/m².

Table 2: Measurement of RF radiation in an apartment on October 6, 2023 with Narda-550, probe EF-1891, and Safe and Sound (S & S) Pro II. Results are given in μW/m² and for Narda results are given as Root Mean Square (RMS).

Health symptoms

The results for self-assessed symptoms by the man, before and after the deployment of the 5G base station as well as after moving to another apartment, are presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Clinical symptoms grades 0-10. Grade 0 = no symptoms, 10 = unbearable pain and/or discomfort in a man aged 49 years.