Is the 5G network dangerous to human health?

To achieve the best speed, 5G network will operate on frequencies from 3 GHz to 300 GHz. Does this high frequency affect the health of users?

Operators in the world are embarking on the development of 5G network. In the US, AT&T has deployed the first 5G network in 12 cities. The first 5G device called Netgear Nighthawk 5G was also announced at the same time.

In 2019, phones that support 5G connectivity will in turn appear. It can be said 5G will be the future of mobile connectivity.

5G network will be the future of mobile connectivity.(Photo: StartupStories).

However, many people will wonder, with the frequency much higher than the old technology, whether 5G is dangerous to our health or not.

What is 5G wave millimeter?

So far, the common frequency band used for mobile transmission is in the range of 600 MHz to 2.6 GHz. This is the lowest frequency range applied to everyday life.

5G technology will use higher frequencies, including the "millimeter" wave mentioned in the past. Although suppliers still use low frequency to transmit 5G, but to make the most of the speed and superiority of this network technology, mobile waves need to be transmitted on a higher band, for example. like 3.5 GHz, 6 GHz even 30 GHz.

Netgear Nighthawk 5G is the world's first 5G connection device.(Photo: PhoneArena).

Unpublished manufacturer Netgear Nighthawk 5G operates on any band but says it is a millimeter-wave device. Therefore, Nighthawk 5G can be identified with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 5G modem, operating on a 30 GHz frequency.

Millimeter waves are waves transmitted over frequencies between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, because the 30 GHz frequency is equivalent to wavelengths approximately 10 mm and 300 GHz in length, approximately 1 mm. Finally this high-frequency band has also been opened for 5G mobile transmission.

Is 5G millimeter wave safe?

Some argue that the high frequency of millimeter waves will harm the brain. However, this is not true for the 5G network band used.

There are very high frequency electronic waves, exceeding the tolerance of humans and animals. But the risk threshold is not 30 GHz, not even 300 GHz.

Radio waves used in mobile connections are not dangerous.(Photo: University of Washington).

The 5G network with 30 GHz band will not be strong enough to jeopardize us. Within 300 GHz or less, we have radio waves that are widely used globally.

At a higher level, infrared waves have a band spread from 300 GHz to 385 THz (1 THz = 1,000 GHz). Therefore infrared waves will have a wavelength of 1 mm (shortest microwave) to 780 nm (1 mm = 1,000 nanometers). Infrared eyes cannot see infrared rays.

The wave itself is also widely used in life and does not pose any danger to health. In fact, half of the solar energy goes down to earth in the form of infrared radiation.

When the frequency continues higher, in the range of 430 THz to 790 THz, we have "visible light" , which can be seen with the naked eye, this kind of light in general does not harm the organism. and human.

What kind of waves are dangerous?

When the frequency passes the stage of visible light, everything becomes more dangerous.

Frequency from 790 THz to 30 PHz (1 PHz = 1,000,000 GHz), we have ultraviolet rays. This spectrum has a wave of 400 nm to 10 nm. Conventional ultraviolet rays are also harmless, but it is capable of transforming from non-ionized to ionized.

Ionizing radiation is at risk of harming health.(Photo: ISHN).

Ionizing radiation carries a lot of energy, which can separate electrons from molecules or atoms, causing them to carry charges.

At the next high frequency, we have X-rays operating on 30 THz band to 30 EHz, ie wavelengths between 10 nm and 0.1 nm. If this beam is projected with small intensity, in a short time, it will not cause great harm. Humans have applied X-rays into medicine.

At the highest frequency is gamma ray, wavelength is less than 0.1 nm. This ray is also used in medicine and industry but needs to be strictly controlled because the power it has will cause great harm if in direct contact with humans.

Conclude

Thus, radiation is classified into 2 categories, not ionizing and ionizing . Non-ionizing radiation such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared and visible light are considered safe, while ionized types such as ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays are capable of causing danger.

Although 5G will use higher frequencies than previous generations, it is still in the safe spectrum. The millimeter wave name can bring a frightening feeling but in reality it is not dangerous.

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