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

Share:

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 Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to GSM-Like Radiofrequency on Blood Chemistry and Oxidative Stress in Infant Rabbits, an Experimental Study.

Ozgur E et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rabbits and their offspring to 1800 MHz cell phone radiation (similar to GSM signals) for short periods daily. They found that this exposure caused oxidative stress and altered blood chemistry in the infant rabbits, with different effects in males versus females. This suggests that developing animals may be particularly vulnerable to radiofrequency radiation during critical growth periods.

Is the effect of mobile phone radiofrequency waves on human skin perfusion non-thermal?

Loos N et al. · 2013

French researchers exposed volunteers to radiofrequency waves from mobile phones held against their jaw and ear for 20 minutes, measuring blood flow in skin capillaries. They found that phone radiation increased blood flow in tiny skin vessels more than sham exposure, even though skin temperature didn't change significantly. This suggests mobile phone radiation has specific biological effects on blood circulation that aren't simply due to heating.

Biophysical Evaluation of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on Male Reproductive Pattern.

Kesari KK, Kumar S, Nirala J, Siddiqui MH, Behari J. · 2013

This review examined how radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones affects male reproductive health, particularly when phones are carried in pockets near reproductive organs. The researchers found that mobile phone radiation increases harmful reactive oxygen species (molecules that damage cells) in testicular tissue, leading to decreased sperm count, DNA damage, and hormonal changes that can cause infertility. The study highlights the biological mechanisms by which everyday mobile phone use may be compromising men's fertility through oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Collagen synthesis modulated in wounds treated by pulsed radiofrequency energy.

Kao HK, Li Q, Flynn B, Qiao X, Ruberti JW, Murphy GF, Guo L. · 2013

Researchers exposed diabetic mice with wounds to pulsed radiofrequency energy and found it significantly accelerated healing by increasing cell growth and collagen production. The radiofrequency treatment boosted the proteins that help rebuild damaged tissue, leading to faster wound closure. This suggests that controlled RF energy might have therapeutic applications for chronic wound healing, particularly in diabetic patients who typically heal more slowly.

The prophylactic Effect of Vitamin C on Oxidative Stress Indexes in Rat Eyes Following Exposure to Radiofrequency Wave Generated by a BTS Antenna Model.

Jelodar G, Akbari A, Nazifi S. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 45 days and found it caused significant oxidative stress in their eyes, reducing protective antioxidant enzymes and increasing cellular damage markers. When rats were given vitamin C alongside the radiation exposure, the antioxidant damage was largely prevented. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation can harm eye tissues through oxidative stress, but antioxidants may provide some protection.

17-β-estradiol counteracts the effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields on trophoblastic connexins and integrins.

Cervellati F et al. · 2013

Researchers studied how high-frequency electromagnetic fields affect placental cells (trophoblasts) that are crucial for healthy pregnancy development. They found that EMF exposure disrupted cellular connections and altered protein production in these cells, but the hormone estradiol could counteract some of these negative effects. This suggests EMF exposure during pregnancy may interfere with normal placental function, though hormonal factors might provide some protection.

Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices.

Atasoy HI, Gunal MY, Atasoy P, Elgun S, Bugdayci G. · 2013

Researchers exposed young male rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.4 GHz) continuously for 20 weeks and found significant DNA damage in their reproductive organs. The Wi-Fi exposure also reduced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes that normally protect cells from damage. These findings suggest that prolonged Wi-Fi exposure during development could potentially harm reproductive health and fertility.

Effects of olive leave extract on metabolic disorders and oxidative stress induced by 2.45 GHz WIFI signals.

Salah MB, Abdelmelek H, Abderraba M. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to WiFi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 21 days and found it created a diabetes-like condition by damaging the body's natural antioxidant defenses in the liver and kidneys. The WiFi exposure reduced key protective enzymes by 33-68% and increased cellular damage markers by up to 51%. When researchers gave the rats olive leaf extract, it prevented most of the metabolic disruption and restored the protective enzymes, suggesting that WiFi radiation causes harm through oxidative stress.

Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to GSM-Like Radiofrequency on Blood Chemistry and Oxidative Stress in Infant Rabbits, an Experimental Study.

Ozgur E et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rabbits and their offspring to cell phone-like radiation (1800 MHz GSM) for 15 minutes daily and measured blood chemistry changes in the baby rabbits. They found that even brief daily exposures caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from free radicals) and altered blood chemistry parameters, with different effects in male versus female offspring. The findings suggest that developing animals may be particularly vulnerable to radiofrequency radiation during critical growth periods.

The prophylactic effect of vitamin C on induced oxidative stress in rat testis following exposure to 900 MHz radio frequency wave generated by a BTS antenna model.

Jelodar G, Nazifi S, Akbari A. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-frequency radiation for 45 days, finding it caused oxidative damage in testicles by reducing protective antioxidants. Vitamin C supplements prevented much of this damage, suggesting RF radiation may harm reproductive health but antioxidants could provide protection.

The prophylactic effect of vitamin C on oxidative stress indexes in rat eyes following exposure to radiofrequency wave generated by a BTS antenna model.

Jelodar G, Akbari A, Nazifi S. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell tower frequencies) for 45 days and found it caused oxidative stress in their eyes by reducing protective antioxidant enzymes and increasing harmful compounds. When rats were given vitamin C alongside the radiation exposure, it significantly protected against this eye damage. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation can harm delicate eye tissues through oxidative stress, but antioxidants may offer some protection.

p25/CDK5 is partially involved in neuronal injury induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure

Zhang Y, She F, Li L, Chen C, Xu S, Luo X, Li M, He M, Yu Z. · 2013

Researchers exposed newborn rat brain cells to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) for just 10 minutes and found significant neuronal damage. The radiation triggered a harmful cellular pathway that led to decreased cell survival, increased cell death, and abnormal protein changes associated with neurodegeneration. This suggests that even brief RF exposure can activate damaging processes in developing brain cells.

Superposition of an incoherent magnetic field inhibited EGF receptor clustering and phosphorylation induced by a 1.8 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation.

Sun W, Shen X, Lu D, Lu D, Chiang H · 2013

Researchers exposed human cells to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) and found it triggered abnormal clustering and activation of cellular receptors that control cell growth. Interestingly, when they added a weak 'noise' magnetic field alongside the RF exposure, it completely blocked these cellular changes at moderate power levels, suggesting the magnetic field provided some protection against RF-induced cellular disruption.

In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal.

Moretti D et al. · 2013

French researchers exposed lab-grown brain cell networks to cell phone radiation (GSM-1800) for 3 minutes and measured their electrical activity in real time. They found that the radiation caused a 30% decrease in the brain cells' firing rate and bursting patterns - essentially making the neurons less active. The effect was reversible, meaning the cells returned to normal activity after exposure ended.

Induction of adaptive response in mice exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields: Application of micronucleus assay

Jiang B, Zong C, Zhao H, Ji Y, Tong J, Cao Y · 2013

Researchers exposed mice to 900MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 4 hours daily over 7 days, then subjected them to high-dose gamma radiation. The mice pre-exposed to RF showed significantly less genetic damage from the gamma radiation compared to mice that received only gamma radiation. This suggests that low-level RF exposure may trigger protective cellular responses that help defend against more harmful radiation damage.

Exposure of tumor-bearing mice to extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation modifies the composition of fatty acids in thymocytes and tumor tissue.

Gapeyev AB, Kulagina TP, Aripovsky AV. · 2013

Researchers exposed mice with cancer to extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (42.2 GHz) for 20 minutes daily and found it changed the fatty acid composition in their tissues. The radiation appeared to restore normal fatty acid levels in immune system cells (thymocytes) and altered the fatty acid makeup within tumor tissue itself. This suggests EMF exposure might influence cancer progression by changing how cells process fats.

Overproduction of free radical species in embryonal cells exposed to low intensity radiofrequency radiation.

Burlaka A et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed developing quail embryos to extremely low-level cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM) at power levels 4,000 times weaker than current safety limits. The exposure caused persistent overproduction of harmful free radicals and direct DNA damage in the developing embryos. The study demonstrates that even very weak radiofrequency radiation can trigger oxidative stress and genetic damage during critical developmental periods.

Oxidative and genotoxic effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic fields in the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

Tkalec M, Stambuk A, Srut M, Malarić K, Klobučar GI. · 2013

Croatian researchers exposed earthworms to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 2-4 hours and found significant DNA damage at all tested levels, even the lowest exposure of 10 V/m. The radiation also triggered oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) and damaged proteins and fats in the worms' cells. Importantly, modulated signals like those used by cell phones caused even more DNA damage than continuous radiation.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation induces oxidative DNA base damage in a mouse spermatocyte-derived cell line.

Liu C, Duan W, Xu S, Chen C, He M, Zhang L, Yu Z, Zhou Z. · 2013

Researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 24 hours and found that at higher exposure levels (4 W/kg SAR), the radiation caused oxidative DNA damage - essentially cellular rust that can harm genetic material. The damage occurred through reactive oxygen species (free radicals) rather than direct energy breaks, and could be prevented with antioxidants like vitamin E.

Overproduction of free radical species in embryonal cells exposed to low intensity radiofrequency radiation

Burlaka A et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed Japanese quail embryos to extremely low-power cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for over 150 hours and found it caused a persistent overproduction of harmful free radicals in developing cells. The radiation also damaged DNA and overwhelmed the embryos' natural antioxidant defenses. This cellular damage could potentially lead to cancer-causing changes in cells.

Effect of 900 MHz radıofrequency radıatıon on oxıdatıve stress in rat brain and serum

Bilgici B, Akar A, Avci B, Tuncel OK · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for one hour daily over three weeks at levels similar to what humans experience. They found significant increases in oxidative stress markers in the brain, indicating cellular damage from free radicals. Interestingly, rats given garlic powder showed protection against this brain damage, suggesting antioxidants may help counteract RF radiation effects.

Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices

Atasoy HI, Gunal MY, Atasoy P, Elgun S, Bugdayci G · 2013

Researchers exposed young male rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.4 GHz) 24 hours a day for 20 weeks and found significant DNA damage in their reproductive organs. The Wi-Fi exposure caused increased markers of genetic damage and reduced the activity of protective enzymes that normally defend against cellular harm. These findings suggest that chronic Wi-Fi exposure during development may threaten reproductive health and fertility.

Further Reading

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