On 5G and COVID-19: What are the Facts? [Part 2]

For better understanding of this article, it is recommended that you see its first part here.

What is the Nature of Radio Waves?
Radio waves are at the lowest end of the electromagnetic spectrum—which describes various electromagnetic radiations, their respective frequency ranges, and their wavelengths.

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Essentially, the electromagnetic spectrum consists of the following radiations: gamma rays and x-rays, ultraviolet rays (from the sun), light rays, infra-red rays, microwaves, and radio waves, in that order. The fundamental distinguishing factors between these radiations are their properties: frequency, photon energy and wavelength.

Generally, the higher the frequency and energy of any of the radiations, the shorter its wavelength will be. Having shorter wavelength means the radiation can only travel shorter distances; whereas having a lower frequency and energy will result in having a longer wavelength, meaning that the radiation will be able to travel longer distances.

Gamma rays and x-rays are well known to be highly reactive and ionizing due to their high energy and frequency, and very short wavelength. This means that they have the ability to knock-off electrons from atoms of other particles they come in contact with. Hence, if gamma rays or x-rays are brought in contact with the body, they begin to ionize the body cells exposed to them after a very short period of exposure. When the cells have been ionized, it is possible for them to recover on their own or to die. If they recover fully or die, there is no problem. But if they try to recover but fail to make a full recovery, that can result in genetic mutation (a change in the DNA code) within the cell, which can cause continuous cell growth over and above what is required, leading to diseases like cancer.

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Ultraviolet rays also tend to have this same property (high energy and frequency, and short wavelength). A lot of the sun's UV rays are unable to reach us on earth partly due to the presence of the Ozone layer barrier, as well as due to the fact that we are a very long distance away from the sun. However, despite this, in some people who have low level of melanin in their skin, prolonged exposure to sun rays can lead to skin cancer, and in milder cases, sunburn.

Other radiations: light rays, infra-red rays, microwaves and radio waves are regarded as non-ionizing because they have much lower frequencies and photon energy, and longer wavelengths, and hence, they are largely unable to displace or knock-off electrons when they come in contact with atoms or cells. But, because of their longer wavelengths, they can travel much farther than the ionizing radiations.

Are Radio waves Harmful to Human Health? 
The answer to this question has been the subject of research for many years now.

The main concerns in the public domain, even among some professionals and experts have been that:
1.   Radio waves may be capable of penetrating through the human skin and causing some form of damage to body and brain cells. And hence can negatively alter the genetic code of the body, leading to some form of genetic mutation that could result in diseases such as cancer.
2.   Prolonged exposure to radio waves may have some form of impact on the mental health of humans, resulting in illnesses like Alzheimer's disease. There were two theories that gave rise to this suspicion:
a.   That exposure to radio waves could lead to some form of interaction between them and neurotic waves released by the human brain. (Yes, the human brain emits waves too).
b.   Radio waves could be intercepted by the sensory receptors of the human skin, and some form of communication is sent to the brain by the skin's receptors which cause an imbalance in brain activity over time.

In the process of writing this article, I interviewed a number of professionals and scientists in a bid to verify whether or not these things are true about radio waves. BUT ALL THE SUSPICIONS WERE DEBUNKED BY THEM.

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First of all, it is already established scientifically that for waves to be able to cause significant damage to the skin, they must be ionizing radiations. But radio waves are non-ionizing radiations. (Please see "What is the Nature of Radio waves" above).

However, about radio waves being capable of penetrating through the human skin, Electronic physicist, Esther Eke, says that "they have the capacity to cause low thermal radiations to the human skin that could only lead to some form of health discomfort that is neither serious nor terminal". She noted that if they had the capacity to cause significant damage, then naturally-occurring radio waves produced by Lightning (known as Whistlers) could have been doing significant damage to human beings already.

However, on further checks, I discovered that Whistlers have a frequency range which is just between 1-30kHz. This is so much more lower than the frequency of Low-band 5G (600MHz), signifying that Whistlers may in fact have very low energy too and so couldn't cause significant harm. Well, her statement is agreeable scientifically, but what about the 5G radio waves which have higher frequencies and energy than Whistlers?

Sybil E., with a strong background in Radiation and health physics, a core specialty for the subject matter, says "Radio waves can actually pass through the skin, but often upto a maximum of  a few millimeters depth. But, the real question is, 'Do they have enough energy to cause significant damage or effects within the body'?"

"Essentially, they can only have some form of thermal effects on the body. Non-ionizing radiations like radio waves tend to increase the temperature of the body by increasing the temperature of water molecules in the skin pores and a few millimeters depth inside the skin. However, depending on the level of exposure, intensity and energy emitted on the skin, this increase in temperature that they can cause may not lead to any significant harm."

"And, in any case, the body already has an internal mechanism by which it works to regulate the temperature of the body back to normal in such events. So, our bodies are actually capable of taking care of these thermal radiations on its own, depending on how much of it you have been exposed to."

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"However, prolonged exposure could result in hampering this internal mechanism of regulation within the body, making it prone to more significant thermal effects that could possibly cause some form of harm to cells in the surrounding region." These effects could include dehydration and mild headaches, or runny nose, as have been reported by some people who live very close to telecommunications masts. So, in a nutshell, Sybil says, "the main problem appears to be with PROLONGED EXPOSURE, not just any exposure."

U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD

I did some further checks, and found out that a study on 'Radio Frequency Radiation of Millimeter Wave Length: Potential Occupational Safety Issues Relating to Surface Heating' published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine in February 2000 corroborates the views expressed by Esther and Sybil. According to the study, "Because of the shallow depth of penetration, the energy and, therefore, heat (or thermal effects) associated with millimeter waves (MMWs) will be deposited within the first 1-2 mm of human skin". You can access the study here.

Furthermore, the study states that "MMWs have been used in states of the former Soviet Union to provide therapeutic benefit in a number of diverse disease states, including skin disorders, gastric ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Conversely, the possibility exists that hazards might be associated with accidental OVEREXPOSURE to MMWs."

Finally, microwaves are just below the millimeter wave band, and are typically defined to cover the 3-30GHz range. If lower frequency means longer wavelength (or longer reach), then microwaves (which we currently use in our microwave equipment in our homes) travel longer, and can cause more effects than millimeter waves. However, there may in fact be a case to be made that 5G millimeter waves, with frequency range of 24GHz to 72GHz may have more energy than normal microwaves. But the difference is hardly significant enough, especially since the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has approved it for use.

In March 2020, the ICNIRP released new guidelines for millimeter wave 5G. The new rules relate to the phones themselves rather than 5G phone masts. The ICNIRP refers to it as implementing "more conservative limits" when it comes to the radiation that exudes from your handsets when connected to higher-frequency 5G network. It focuses on frequencies above 6GHz (meaning that mid-band and low-band 5G aren't at all considered to be a cause for concern by the Body).

In a media statement, the ICNIRP chair, Dr. Eric van Rongen, explained, "we know parts of the community are concerned about the safety of 5G and we hope the updated guidelines will help put people at ease." Continuing, he said, "the guidelines have been developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process. They provide protection against all scientifically substantiated adverse health effects due to [electromagnetic field] exposure in the 100 kHz to 300 GHz range."

But note that so far, 5G millimeter wave maximum frequency is not even upto 100GHz.

For me though, the bottom line is that if radio waves could not cause some harmful effects, then there would be absolutely no need for regulatory bodies such as the ICNIRP. However, based on available information, their effects on the human body are minimally harmful. Nonetheless, care is to be taken to ensure that one avoids prolonged close-range exposure to these waves.

All non-ionizing rays can have some effects on the human body, but the measure of their effect is often a measure of the duration of our exposure to them. For example, light rays can have negative effects on the human eye such as dizziness, but this effect is always as a result of over exposure to the rays (e.g when we focus our eyes for too long on a light source, or any light-ray-emitting screen, such as our phones or television).

Secondly, about the possibility of radio waves causing mental health issues through the supposed interaction between them and brain waves, Telecoms Engineer, Ezekiel Ayodele says, Neurowaves (brain waves) do not communicate information or data. They basically emit as a proof of on-going activities in the body, e.g, sleep, awakeness, etc. And they are at different frequencies depending on the activity." He notes that for any two waves to be able to interact, they must be on the same frequency. "This is why a 3G-enabled phone cannot detect 4G network, unless it is first upgraded to 4G. Brain waves and radio waves have different frequencies, and so can hardly interact."

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His views were further corroborated by Philip Deniran, a 500-level medical student in Delta state, Nigeria, as well as Dr. Bola Ehinmoro, a medical doctor in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. According to Philip, "The possibility of radio waves affecting the brain through the skin is quite low or unlikely. This is because whatever the skin receives, it receives through receptors localized in the skin, and these receptors, when activated, then transmit sensations to the brain through nerves. And the range of sensations that these receptors can transmit are limited to pain, touch, warmth and cold."

He further stated that, "Anything that will cause the brain to respond abnormally beyond the range of these receptors will not go through these receptors or the skin, but rather go straight to the brain. And it is practically impossible for radio waves to go straight to the brain because they would have to break through three layers of obstruction: the skin, the underlying tissues, and then the bony skull (which is completely impossible for them to break through)".

Furthermore, even if it were possible for radio waves to interact with brain waves or reach the brain, cell cycle activities in the body cells are in fact not regulated by the brain. According to Reference.com, they are regulated by the DNA code within the nucleus of the cells themselves. According to the site's science section, "the cell nucleus directs all cellular activities by controlling the synthesis of proteins".

These notwithstanding, existing data collated by multiple bodies show a pattern of increase in cases of cancer and Alzheimer's disease worldwide, especially since the age of wireless telecommunications. While they have not been shown to have any connection, more studies are being carried out in various parts of the world to make sure that's actually accurate.

On COVID-19: Can Electromagnetic Waves Create Viruses? 
Viruses are normally found in nature. This means that they are primarily naturally-occurring. For example, they can be found in the blood of some animals.

But, it is possible to create or synthesize a virus. However, according to Philip Deniran, The process of creating or synthesizing a virus is a complex and deliberate process which was developed through ground-breaking 20th and 21st century advancement in the molecular biology field of science."

He further said, "A virus is an RNA strand covered by a protein coat. RNA and protein are molecular structures found in nature, but can now be synthesized. However, the process of synthesizing viruses is a molecular process that has nothing to do with waves or wave theory. It is a deliberate and painstaking molecular process. There is no evidence that viruses can be created accidentally using waves or wave theory."

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"The very fact that our bodies contain RNAs (and also some food substances that we take, such as some fruits and animal meat), and that also some foods (like beans) which we eat contain proteins; we injest RNA and proteins into our bodies; yet they are unable to combine and become viruses inside us shows that the process of creating a virus that does not occur naturally is both highly complex and deliberate."

What will a World of 5G Look Like?
I prefer not to write much on this. It will be more profitable for you to watch some selected videos which give a more graphic explanation of the potentials of 5G technology.

Essentially, because of the kind of supersonic speed that millimeter wave 5G will deliver, it will have a revolutionary impact on the use of technology across many sectors including automobiles, medical surgeries, agriculture, e-commerce, banking, and in the IT world, it's going to finally make Internet of Things (IoT) a revolution that will lead to changes in human living in almost every way. Simply put, data is about to become the lifeblood of human activity within the next decade.

The videos provide more graphic explanation on these things, and they are not long clips, so you might want to check them out.

In summary, 5G is here to stay. Every major economy in the world has already accepted the technology. They're now only bickering over who will lead the way in providing it across the world.

Deploying 5G technology is going to require the erection of so many new masts, at closer ranges, across the world. In the US alone, it is estimated that over 1million new masts are required. Chinese network equipment makers like Huawei and ZTE are already leading the way in this regard, however, US sanctions on Huawei continue to bite at their efforts to sustain that lead. Already, US allies, namely, UK, Australia, Germany, India, and the United Arab Emirates have signified that they will not be doing business with Huawei in the deployment of 5G equipment in their countries.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "The U.S. Justice Department has charged Huawei with racketeering and stealing source code and other intellectual property from its rivals. The department hasn’t shied away from issuing strong ultimatums to U.S. allies whose trade and military secrets, it warns, would be easier to steal over 5G networks."

US State Department says, "For Europe to transmit data on networks using Huawei 5G equipment would offer Beijing an easy way to spy on the sensitive information that will soon power automated factories, advanced hospitals, self-driving cars and more, said U.S. officials." Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, even warned that the U.S. may roll back its decades-old security and intelligence partnerships with allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who don’t heed their warning.

5G in Africa
Unknown to many, two (2) African countries already have the 5G technology installed. They are Lesotho and South Africa.

Vodacom in Lesotho points out its 5G network's current 706Mbps download speed and 9-millisecond latency. 

According to reports by PM News, "Lesotho got connected with 5G in 2018 and there is no case of Coronavirus in that nation. On August 25, 2018, South Africa’s Vodacom launched what it said was Africa’s first commercial 5G internet service in Lesotho. The company said its operation in Lesotho had been assigned spectrum in the 3.5GHz band (mid-band), enabling the launch of a commercial 5G service."

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Ironically, Lesotho's 5G capability places another huge question mark on rumors that the technology caused coronavirus because Lesotho, as of today, is one of only two African countries that are yet to record even a single case of COVID-19. The other country is Comoros.

In Nigeria, the National Communications Commission has said that it has not issued any licenses yet for the installation of 5G in Nigeria. The Commission further said that back in November 2019, it approved trial test for 5G for a period of three (3) months and that the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned.

Once again, 5G has come to stay; and its only a matter of time before all countries of the world fully adopt the technology.

THE END.



Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com

Telecoms engineer Ezekiel Ayodele in Lagos, Electronic physicist Esther Eke, Radiation and health physicist Sybil E., and 500-level medical student Philip Deniran in Delta state (Nigeria), all contributed to this article.

The first part of this article can be see here.