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

Is 5G Safe? What the Research Actually Shows

Based on 574 peer-reviewed studies

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5G technology has generated significant public concern about health effects. The topic has also attracted misinformation, making it difficult for people to understand what scientific research actually shows about 5G safety.

5G operates across different frequency bands—some similar to existing 4G networks, others using higher frequencies (millimeter waves) that are relatively new for widespread consumer exposure. This page focuses on what peer-reviewed research says about radiofrequency radiation at 5G frequencies.

We present the scientific evidence objectively, including both studies that raise concerns and those that find no effects, so you can make informed judgments based on actual research.

Key Research Findings

  • Limited research exists specifically on 5G millimeter wave frequencies
  • Lower-band 5G uses frequencies similar to well-studied 4G/LTE
  • Swedish 2025 report: 'need for more research' on higher 5G bands

Related Studies (574)

Effects of exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats

Çeliker M et al. · 2016

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 2100 MHz for 30 days to study effects on hearing. While the rats' hearing tests showed no changes, microscopic examination revealed significant damage to brain cells in the auditory system, including increased cell death and degeneration. This suggests that cell phone radiation may harm the hearing system in ways that don't show up immediately in standard hearing tests.

Effects of 3G cell phone exposure on the structure and function of the human cytochrome P450 reductase.

Tanvir S et al. · 2016

French researchers exposed a key human enzyme called cytochrome P450 reductase to cell phone radiation (1966 MHz) for 60 minutes at 5 watts per kilogram. The radiation changed the enzyme's structure and reduced its activity by 22% compared to unexposed controls. This enzyme is critical for drug metabolism and detoxification in the liver, suggesting cell phone radiation could potentially interfere with how our bodies process medications and toxins.

Mobile phone signal exposure triggers a hormesis-like effect in Atm+/+ and Atm-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Sun C, Wei X, Fei Y, Su L, Zhao X, Chen G, Xu Z · 2016

Researchers exposed mouse embryonic cells to 1,800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) at high power levels for 1-12 hours and found it initially caused DNA breaks. However, after prolonged exposure, the cells' DNA repair systems became so active that DNA damage dropped below normal background levels - a phenomenon called hormesis where low doses of a harmful substance trigger beneficial protective responses.

Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study.

Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Hashemi-Beni B, Ahmadi Z. · 2016

Researchers exposed human fat-derived stem cells to radiation from GSM mobile phones (900 MHz frequency) for different durations over 5 days. They found that exposure for 9 minutes or longer per day significantly reduced the cells' ability to grow and multiply, while 6 minutes per day showed no effect. This suggests that even brief daily phone exposure can impair the regenerative cells your body uses for healing and tissue repair.

GSM 900 MHz Microwave Radiation-Induced Alterations of Insulin Level and Histopathological Changes of Liver and Pancreas in Rat.

Mortazavi SM et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (GSM 900 MHz) for either 3 or 6 hours daily over 7 days to study effects on insulin production and organ health. While insulin levels remained unchanged, the radiation caused inflammatory damage in the liver and harmed insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, with longer exposure times producing more severe damage.

Induction of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase in Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Exposed to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Fields: Preliminary Observations.

He Q, Sun Y, Zong L, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2016

Researchers exposed mouse bone marrow cells to cell phone-level radiation for three hours daily over five days. The cells showed significant increases in PARP-1, a protein that repairs DNA damage, suggesting the radiation triggered cellular stress requiring DNA repair mechanisms.

Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation on Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Gläser K et al. · 2016

German researchers exposed human blood stem cells (the cells that create all blood cells in your body) to cell phone radiation at three different frequencies for up to 66 hours. They tested multiple biological endpoints including DNA damage, cell death, and oxidative stress. Surprisingly, they found that GSM radiation actually caused a small decrease in DNA damage compared to unexposed cells, while showing no other significant effects.

Glial markers and emotional memory in rats following acute cerebral radiofrequency exposures.

Barthélémy A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to radiofrequency radiation for 15 minutes at different intensities and measured brain inflammation and memory function. They found that even low-level exposure (1.5 W/kg) caused significant brain inflammation, while higher exposure (6 W/kg) impaired long-term memory and increased inflammation in multiple brain regions. This study provides direct evidence that brief RF exposure can trigger brain inflammation and memory problems in living animals.

Mobile phone signal exposure triggers a hormesis-like effect in Atm+/+ and Atm-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Sun C, Wei X, Fei Y, Su L, Zhao X, Chen G, Xu Z. · 2016

Scientists exposed mouse cells to cell phone radiation and discovered it initially damaged DNA but then activated repair systems that left cells healthier than unexposed ones. This "hormesis" effect had never been seen with phone radiation before, suggesting potential protective cellular responses.

Adaptive response in mouse bone-marrow stromal cells exposed to 900-MHz radiofrequency fields: Gamma-radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and repair.

Ji Y, He Q, Sun Y, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2016

Chinese researchers exposed mouse bone marrow cells to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) for 4 hours daily over 5 days, then hit them with gamma radiation to damage their DNA. Surprisingly, the cells that received RF preconditioning showed less DNA damage and repaired themselves faster than cells exposed to gamma radiation alone, suggesting RF exposure may trigger protective cellular responses.

The 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G-mobile phone and the DNA oxidative damage in brain.

Şahin D et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed female rats to 3G mobile phone radiation (2100 MHz) for either 10 or 40 days to study DNA damage in brain tissue. They found increased DNA damage after 10 days of exposure, but surprisingly, this damage decreased after 40 days, suggesting the brain may develop protective mechanisms over time. The study used radiation levels similar to what you'd experience during heavy mobile phone use.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure sensitizes SH-SY5Y cells to the pro-Parkinson's Disease toxin MPP.

Benassi B et al. · 2016

Italian researchers exposed brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields, then tested their response to a Parkinson's toxin. While EMF alone didn't harm cells, it weakened their antioxidant defenses, making them far more vulnerable to the toxin's damage, suggesting EMF might increase susceptibility to Parkinson's disease.

Glial markers and emotional memory in rats following acute cerebral radiofrequency exposures

(E) Barthélémy A et al. · 2016

French researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 15-45 minutes and found that even brief exposures caused brain inflammation and memory problems. At exposure levels similar to what heavy cell phone users experience (6 W/kg), rats showed a 119% increase in brain inflammation markers and reduced long-term memory performance. The study demonstrates that radiofrequency radiation can trigger inflammatory responses in the brain that directly impact cognitive function.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Magnetoreception in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): influence of weak frequency-modulated radio frequency fields.

Malkemper EP et al. · 2015

Researchers tested whether wood mice can sense magnetic fields by observing where they built nests in circular arenas. They found that mice normally oriented their nests north-south using Earth's magnetic field, but when exposed to weak radio frequency fields (0.9-5 MHz), the mice switched to building nests east-west instead. This demonstrates that low-level RF exposure can disrupt an animal's natural magnetic navigation system.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Does radio frequency radiation induce micronuclei frequency in exfoliated bladder cells of diabetic rats?

Gurbuz N, Sirav B, Kuzay D, Ozer C, Seyhan N. · 2015

Researchers exposed diabetic rats to cell phone radiation (2100 MHz) to see if it caused genetic damage in bladder cells by looking for micronuclei - small fragments of broken DNA that indicate cellular damage. They found no increase in genetic damage in either healthy or diabetic rats exposed to the radiation compared to unexposed animals. The study suggests that this level of RF radiation may not cause DNA damage in bladder cells, even in animals with diabetes who might be more vulnerable.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of long-term (2 years) exposure of mouse brains to global system for mobile communication (GSM) radiofrequency fields on astrocytic immunoreactivity.

Court-Kowalski S et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) at high levels (4 W/kg SAR) for five days per week over two full years, then examined their brains for signs of astrocyte activation - a cellular response that indicates brain injury or stress. They found no detectable changes in these protective brain cells compared to unexposed mice, suggesting this level of radiofrequency exposure did not trigger measurable brain inflammation or damage.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Effect of cell phone-like electromagnetic radiation on primary human thyroid cells.

Silva V et al. · 2015

Israeli researchers exposed human thyroid cells to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation to test whether it could trigger cancer-related changes. They found no effects on cell proliferation, DNA damage markers, or stress indicators that typically signal cellular harm. This suggests that under their specific test conditions, cell phone radiation did not promote thyroid cancer development in isolated human cells.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Comparison of the genotoxic effects induced by 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in GC-2 cells.

Duan W et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to two types of electromagnetic fields - 50 Hz extremely low frequency (like power lines) and 1800 MHz radiofrequency (like cell phones) - to compare DNA damage. They found that high-intensity ELF fields caused DNA strand breaks, while high-intensity RF fields caused oxidative DNA damage through different mechanisms. The study suggests both types of EMF can damage DNA at high exposure levels, but through distinct biological pathways.

Effects of GSM modulated radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation on permeability of blood-brain barrier in male & female rats.

Sırav B, Seyhan N · 2015

Researchers exposed male and female rats to cell phone radiation at 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies for 20 minutes, then measured whether their blood-brain barrier (the protective shield around the brain) became more permeable. They found that both frequencies increased brain permeability in males, with 1800MHz having a stronger effect, while only 900MHz affected females. This suggests that even brief cell phone exposure can compromise the brain's natural protective barrier.

Effects of Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) Exposure on Apoptosis, Sperm Parameters and Testicular Histomorphometry in Rats: A Time Course Study.

Shokri S, Soltani A, Kazemi M, Sardari D, Mofrad FB. · 2015

Researchers exposed male rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) for either 1 hour or 7 hours daily over 2 months to study effects on fertility. Both exposure groups showed decreased sperm quality, increased cell death in the testes, and reduced seminal vesicle weight compared to unexposed rats, with longer exposures causing more severe damage. This suggests that common Wi-Fi frequencies may harm male reproductive health in a dose-dependent manner.

Effect of mobile phone use on metal ion release from fixed orthodontic appliances.

Saghiri MA, Orangi J, Asatourian A, Mehriar P, Sheibani N · 2015

Researchers studied 50 people with metal braces to see if cell phone use affected how much nickel (a metal in braces) was released into their saliva. After a week of no phone use, participants used their phones normally for another week. The study found that cell phone use significantly increased nickel levels in saliva, with longer phone use causing more nickel release from the orthodontic appliances.

EMF radiation at 2450MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus.

Misa-Agustiño MJ et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) and found it caused visible damage to the thymus, a key immune system organ. The radiation triggered cellular stress responses, increased blood vessel leakage, and altered stress proteins even at levels below those that cause heating. This suggests that EMF exposure can disrupt immune system function through non-thermal biological mechanisms.

The effects of 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on nasal mucosa and mucociliary clearance in rats.

Aydoğan F et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (simulating 3G cell phone signals) for 6 hours daily over 10 or 40 days to study effects on nasal tissue and mucus clearance. The exposed rats showed significant damage to nasal tissue, including cell death, loss of protective cilia (tiny hair-like structures), and impaired ability to clear mucus from nasal passages. This matters because our nasal passages are a primary defense against airborne pathogens, and cell phone radiation may be compromising this natural protective mechanism.

The Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Liver Tissue Protein Oxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels After the Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.

Ozgur E et al. · 2015

Scientists exposed guinea pigs to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for seven days and found it significantly reduced SOD, a protective antioxidant enzyme in liver tissue. Surprisingly, two common antioxidant supplements caused cellular damage when used alone, showing radiation's complex effects on cellular protection.

Further Reading

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