3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Research Guide

5G vs 4G Radiation: What's Different?

Based on 653 peer-reviewed studies

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People often ask whether 5G is more dangerous than 4G. This question requires understanding how 5G technology differs from previous generations and what research exists on each.

5G networks operate across multiple frequency bands. Low-band 5G (600-900 MHz) is actually similar to 4G frequencies. Mid-band 5G (2.5-4 GHz) overlaps with existing WiFi. High-band 5G (24-40+ GHz, "millimeter wave") represents the newest frequencies for consumer wireless exposure.

This page compares what research shows about radiation exposure from 5G versus 4G technologies.

Key Research Findings

  • 5G uses multiple frequency bands with different characteristics
  • Millimeter waves (high-band 5G) penetrate less deeply into tissue
  • More cell towers can actually reduce individual exposure levels

Related Studies (653)

The Effects of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on β-Amyloid-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human and Rat Primary Astrocytes.

Tsoy A et al. · 2019

Researchers exposed brain cells called astrocytes to 918 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) along with proteins that cause Alzheimer's disease damage. Surprisingly, they found that the RF exposure actually reduced harmful oxidative stress and protected the cells from damage caused by the Alzheimer's proteins. The study suggests that certain RF frequencies might have therapeutic potential for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Measurement of the 100 MHz EMF radiation in vivo effects on zebrafish D. rerio embryonic development: A multidisciplinary study.

Piccinetti CC et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to 100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to FM radio frequencies) to study developmental effects. They found the radiation triggered oxidative stress, slowed growth, and activated cellular damage repair mechanisms during critical early development stages. This study demonstrates that EMF radiation can cause measurable biological effects beyond just heating tissue, providing important evidence for non-thermal health impacts.

Radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) causes impaired insulin secretion and increased oxidative stress in rat pancreatic islets.

Masoumi A, Karbalaei N, Mortazavi SMJ, Shabani M. · 2018

Researchers exposed rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.4 GHz) for 4 hours daily over 45 days and found it significantly impaired the pancreas's ability to produce insulin while causing elevated blood sugar levels. The Wi-Fi exposure also increased harmful oxidative stress in pancreatic tissue and reduced the body's natural antioxidant defenses. This suggests that chronic Wi-Fi radiation exposure may interfere with blood sugar regulation, a critical function for metabolic health.

Exposure to radiation from single or combined radio frequencies provokes macrophage dysfunction in the RAW 264.7 cell line.

López-Furelos A et al. · 2018

Spanish researchers exposed immune cells (macrophages) to radio frequency radiation at cell phone frequencies (900 MHz and 2450 MHz) for up to 72 hours. They found that the radiation significantly impaired the cells' ability to fight infections and triggered inflammatory responses, with combined frequencies causing more damage than single frequencies. This suggests that everyday exposure to multiple wireless signals simultaneously may compromise immune function.

Evidence of oxidative stress after continuous exposure to Wi-Fi radiation in rat model.

Kamali K, Taravati A, Sayyadi S, Gharib FZ, Maftoon H. · 2018

Researchers exposed rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) continuously for 10 weeks to study its effects on cellular defense systems. They found that Wi-Fi exposure significantly weakened the animals' antioxidant defenses, reducing the activity of key protective enzymes that normally protect cells from damage. This suggests that chronic Wi-Fi exposure may compromise the body's natural ability to defend against cellular stress.

Effects of fifty-hertz electromagnetic fields on granulocytic differentiation of ATRA-treated acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells.

Errico Provenzano A et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed leukemia cells to 50Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) to see how it affected cell development. They found that the magnetic field exposure helped cancer cells mature into normal, healthy blood cells when combined with a standard treatment. This suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic fields might influence how cells develop and could potentially affect blood cell formation in the body.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

RF-EMF exposure at 1800 MHz did not elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in different neurogenic cells.

Su L, Wei X, Xu Z, Chen G · 2017

Researchers exposed three types of brain cells to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) at high power levels for up to 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA or disrupt normal cell behavior. They found no evidence of DNA breaks, changes in cell growth, or other harmful effects even at radiation levels twice as high as current safety limits. The study suggests that this frequency of radiofrequency radiation may not directly damage brain cells in laboratory conditions.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on Aβ processing in human neuroblastoma and mouse hippocampal neuronal cells.

Park J, Kwon JH, Kim N, Song K · 2017

Researchers exposed brain cells to cell phone radiation (1950 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 3 days to see if it affected amyloid-beta processing, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. They found no significant changes in the proteins that create these brain plaques. However, the researchers noted that longer-term exposure might produce different results than their short 3-day study.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of acute millimeter wave exposure on dopamine metabolism of NGF-treated PC12 cells.

Haas AJ et al. · 2017

French researchers exposed nerve cells to 60.4 GHz millimeter wave radiation (the type used in 5G and some wireless systems) for 24 hours to see if it affected dopamine, a key brain chemical involved in movement and mood. They found no significant changes in dopamine production or processing, with only a slight increase in one dopamine byproduct that they attributed to heating effects. This suggests that millimeter wave exposure at these levels doesn't disrupt basic nerve cell function related to dopamine.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Evaluation of bax, bcl-2, p21 and p53 genes expression variations on cerebellum of BALB/c mice before and after birth under mobile phone radiation exposure.

Ghatei N et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed pregnant mice and their offspring to cell phone radiation at 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies, then examined how this affected genes related to cell death and DNA repair in the brain's cerebellum. They found that the radiation did not trigger cell death pathways but did alter expression of genes involved in DNA repair. The authors concluded that while cell phone radiation may cause some cellular changes, the brain appears capable of repairing any damage through normal cellular mechanisms.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Mobile phone radiofrequency exposure has no effect on DNA double strand breaks (DSB) in human lymphocytes.

Danese E et al. · 2017

Italian researchers exposed blood samples from 14 healthy volunteers to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation from a commercial mobile phone for 30 minutes, then examined the cells for DNA damage markers called gamma-H2AX foci. They found no significant increase in DNA breaks or genetic damage compared to unexposed blood samples. This suggests that short-term mobile phone radiation exposure at typical frequencies may not cause immediate detectable DNA damage in human immune cells.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted From Wi-Fi Router and Mobile Phone Simulator on the Antibacterial Susceptibility of Pathogenic Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli.

Taheri M et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed two types of bacteria (Listeria and E. coli) to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones (900 MHz) and Wi-Fi routers (2.4 GHz) to see if it affected how well antibiotics worked against them. They found that RF exposure made these disease-causing bacteria more resistant to antibiotics, meaning the medications became less effective at killing them. This could have serious implications for treating infections, as it suggests our wireless devices might be contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Proteomic analysis of continuous 900-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in testicular tissue: a rat model of human cell phone exposure.

Sepehrimanesh M, Kazemipour N, Saeb M, Nazifi S, Davis DL · 2017

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for up to 4 hours daily over 30 days and analyzed protein changes in testicular tissue. They found that radiation exposure increased levels of two specific proteins by 70% - proteins that are linked to cellular stress and cancer risk. This matters because many men carry phones in their pants pockets, creating similar exposure patterns to reproductive organs.

Radiofrequency radiations induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root tip cells.

Qureshi ST, Memon SA, Abassi AR, Sial MA, Bughio FA. · 2017

Pakistani researchers exposed chickpea seeds to radiation from cell phones (900 MHz) and laptops (3.31 GHz) for 24 and 48 hours to study DNA damage. They found that both devices caused genetic damage to plant cells, with laptop radiation being more harmful than cell phone radiation. The study suggests these everyday devices could potentially cause DNA damage and cancer-like changes in living tissue.

Adaptive Response Induced by Pre-Exposure to 915 MHz Radiofrequency: A Possible Role for Antioxidant Enzyme Activity.

Mortazavi SMJ et al. · 2017

Iranian researchers exposed rats to 915 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to microwave ovens) for 4 hours daily over one week, then tested whether this 'primed' their liver cells to better handle a subsequent dose of gamma radiation. They found that low-power RF exposure increased antioxidant enzymes like glutathione, which helped protect liver tissue from oxidative damage when the rats were later exposed to harmful gamma radiation.

Acute effects of 30 minutes of exposure to a smartphone call on in vitro platelet function.

Lippi G et al. · 2017

Italian researchers exposed blood samples from 16 healthy volunteers to smartphone radiation (900 MHz) for 30 minutes and found significant changes in platelet function. The exposed blood showed altered clotting behavior and increased platelet size compared to unexposed samples. This suggests that smartphone radiation can directly affect blood components involved in clotting and wound healing.

Generation and propagation of yeast prion [URE3] are elevated under electromagnetic field.

Lian HY, Lin KW, Yang C, Cai P. · 2017

Researchers exposed yeast cells to radiofrequency radiation (2.0 GHz) and extremely low frequency fields (50 Hz) to study effects on protein misfolding. They found that both types of electromagnetic fields increased the formation and spread of prions (misfolded proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases) in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests EMF exposure may contribute to protein misfolding disorders through oxidative stress mechanisms.

RAPD Profiling, DNA Fragmentation, and Histomorphometric Examination in Brains of Wistar Rats Exposed to Indoor 2.5 Ghz Wi-Fi Devices Radiation.

Ibitayo AO et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed young male rats to Wi-Fi radiation at 2.5 GHz for 30, 45, and 60 days to study brain effects. They found DNA damage and vascular congestion (blood vessel swelling) in the brain tissue that worsened with longer exposure periods. This suggests that everyday Wi-Fi exposure may cause cumulative damage to brain cells and blood vessels over time.

The effect of Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves in unimodal and multimodal object recognition tasks in male rats.

Hassanshahi A et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed 80 male rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.4 GHz) for 12 hours daily over 30 days, then tested their ability to recognize new versus familiar objects using sight, touch, and combined senses. The Wi-Fi-exposed rats lost their ability to distinguish between new and familiar objects in all tests, while also showing increased expression of certain brain receptors in the hippocampus (the brain's memory center). This suggests that chronic Wi-Fi exposure may impair how the brain processes and integrates sensory information.

Review: Weak radiofrequency radiation exposure from mobile phone radiation on plants.

Halgamuge MN. · 2017

Researchers analyzed 45 studies examining how radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones affects plants, looking at 169 experiments across 29 plant species. They found that nearly 90% of studies showed biological effects in plants exposed to cell phone frequencies, with certain crops like corn, tomatoes, and peas appearing especially sensitive. This suggests that the wireless radiation we consider safe may be causing measurable biological changes in living organisms.

Effects of acute and chronic exposure to both 900 MHz and 2100 MHz electromagnetic radiation on glutamate receptor signaling pathway.

Gökçek-Saraç Ç et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies for either 1 week or 10 weeks, then examined changes in brain enzymes involved in memory and learning. They found that longer exposure (10 weeks) caused more significant changes than shorter exposure (1 week), and that 2100 MHz radiation (used by 3G networks) had stronger effects than 900 MHz radiation (used by 2G networks). This suggests that both the duration of exposure and the specific frequency matter when it comes to how wireless radiation affects the brain.

Effects of radiofrequency exposure emitted from a GSM mobile phone on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of neural stem cells.

Eghlidospour M, Ghanbari A, Mortazavi SMJ, Azari H. · 2017

Iranian researchers exposed neural stem cells (brain cells that can develop into neurons) to radiation from a GSM 900-MHz mobile phone for different time periods. They found that longer exposures significantly reduced the cells' ability to multiply and form new neurons, though the cells didn't die. This suggests that cell phone radiation may interfere with the brain's natural ability to generate new brain cells, a process crucial for learning, memory, and brain repair.

Further Reading

For a comprehensive exploration of EMF health effects and practical protection strategies, explore these books by R Blank and Dr. Martin Blank.