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Home My WebLink About2020-101 Concerns Related to 5G Communication SystemsDecember 4, 2020 Report No. 2020-101 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT Provide readily available information related to potential health risks or other concerns related to 5G communication systems. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DME Engineering was tasked with researching the effects of 5G cell service on humans. In particular, the concern is whether the radio frequencies used pose a danger to human tissue in the form of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR). Neither DME nor its staff are subject matter experts in 5G communications systems. This ISR is a compilation of expert opinions and does not reflect the opinion of DME. DISCUSSION What is 5G? 5G stands for 5th generation. 1st and 2nd generation cell phone service began in the 1980s and 1990s and were mainly for carrying voice and SMS messages. 3rd and 4th generation services, starting in the 2000s and 2010s, added web browsing and increased data speeds to handle a wide range of mobile services. 5th generation allows much higher data transfer speeds with much lower latency (delays) enabling a wide range of technologies that extend beyond communications. One article summarized the improvements as follows: “The last major network upgrade was 4G, which debuted in 2009… with a peak speed of about 10 Mbps. In comparison, 5G is poised to deliver peak speeds between 10 and 20 Gbps. And network latency will drop from 30ms to about 1ms, ideal for video game streaming, online video, and the Internet of Things, which is anticipating 5G to connect sensors, computers, and other devices with ultra-low latency.”1 For comparison purposes, 10 Mbps is equivalent to 0.01 Gbps which means 5G is 1,000-2,000 times faster than 4G. Network latency is defined as the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to be captured, transmitted, processed through multiple devices, then received at its destination and decoded. 5G technology is similar to the previous cell service technologies in that it uses radio frequencies to transmit data between networked towers and individual devices. 1G through 4G service use frequency bands ranging from 850 MHz up to 2.5 GHz. The new 5G service uses many of these same frequencies, but also adds several more up to 5 GHz and then jumps to the 25 – 29 GHz 1 “How Worried Should You Be About the Health Risks of 5G?”, How-To-Geek, Dave Johnson, 3/31/2020, https://www.howtogeek.com/423720/how-worried-should-you-be-about-the-health-risks-of-5g/ December 4, 2020 Report No. 2020-101 range.2 There are also specifications that would allow 5G to make use of several more bands all the way to 125 GHz. One key difference between 5G and previous generations of cell service is that the power output of each of the antenna is much lower than that of 1G through 4G. There are two main reasons for this: 1) the higher frequency signals used by 5G do not travel as far as lower frequency signals and 2) the system is designed to interact more closely with client devices using beam shaping techniques (think directional instead of omni-directional signals) and functions better with more antennae on a smaller scale. Health Risks of 5G and RFR Because 5G cell service is fundamentally radio frequency signals, the health concerns will be similar to those of existing cell service. In fact, some researchers estimate a net decrease in RFR as 5G is implemented because there will be less wasted energy being broadcast in all directions from the larger, older cell towers. Radio Frequency Radiation is classified as non-ionizing radiation and falls into the same class as microwaves, infrared waves, and visible light. Its energy is easily absorbed by water molecules and human tissue (which is mostly water) but is not powerful enough to make atomic changes as would high energy x-rays and gamma rays. As RFR is absorbed by water or tissue molecules the atoms are excited and begin to move. This atomic vibration is manifest as heat. According to Nature Research, “We believe the main biological effect of the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones is a rise in temperature.”3 So then, how damaging is the energy emitted by modern cell towers? According to the Federal Communications Commission, “At a cell site, the total radio frequency (RF) power that can be transmitted from each transmitting antenna depends on the number of radio channels (or transmitters) that have been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission and the power of each transmitter. Although the FCC permits an effective radiated power (ERP) of up to 500 watts per channel (depending on the tower height), the majority of cellular or Personal Communication Service (PCS) cell sites in urban and suburban areas operate at an ERP of 100 watts per channel or less. An ERP of 100 watts corresponds to an actual radiated power of 5-10 watts, depending on the type of antenna used. In urban areas, cell sites commonly emit an ERP of 10 watts per channel or less. For PCS cell sites, even lower ERPs are typical. As with all forms of electromagnetic energy, the power density from a cellular or PCS transmitter rapidly decreases as distance from the antenna increases. Consequently, normal ground-level exposure is much less than the exposure that might be encountered if one were very close to the antenna and in its main transmitted beam. Measurements made near typical cellular and PCS cell sites have 2 “What frequency spectrum will 5G technology use and how does this compare to 4G?”, Arrow, https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and- events/articles/what-frequency-spectrum-will-5g-technology-use-and-how-does-this-compare-to- 4g#:~:text=The%205G%20frequency%20band%20plans,GHz%20to%2086%20GHz%20range 3 “What 5G means for our health”, Nature Research, https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-019-00009-7 December 4, 2020 Report No. 2020-101 shown that ground-level power densities are well below the exposure limits recommended by RF/microwave safety standards used by the FCC. In the case of cellular and PCS cell site transmitters, the FCC's RF exposure guidelines recommend a maximum permissible exposure level to the general public of approximately 580 microwatts per square centimeter [.000580 W/m2]. This limit is many times greater than RF levels typically found near the base of cellular or PCS cell site towers or in the vicinity of other, lower-powered cell site transmitters. Calculations corresponding to a "worst-case" situation (all transmitters operating simultaneously and continuously at the maximum licensed power) show that, in order to be exposed to RF levels near the FCC's guidelines, an individual would essentially have to remain in the main transmitting beam and within a few feet of the antenna for several minutes or longer. Thus, the possibility that a member of the general public could be exposed to RF levels in excess of the FCC guidelines is extremely remote.”4 The FCC limit for RFR exposure due to portable communication devices is 1.6 watts per kilogram (W/kg), as averaged over one gram of tissue.5 For comparison, the magnetron (microwave generator) in most home microwave ovens will generate approximately 500 – 1000W of microwave power. It is also important to note that the heating of tissues takes place at a very superficial level in the tissue (less than 1cm and decreasing in depth as the frequency increases). Thus, the higher frequency radiation of 5G cell service is less likely to affect tissues beyond the skin and the eyes. The following is the FCC statement on links between wireless device use and cancer or other illness: “Some health and safety interest groups have interpreted certain reports to suggest that wireless device use may be linked to cancer and other illnesses, posing potentially greater risks for children than adults. While these assertions have gained increased public attention, currently no scientific evidence establishes a causal link between wireless device use and cancer or other illnesses. Those evaluating the potential risks of using wireless devices agree that more and longer- term studies should explore whether there is a better basis for RF safety standards than is currently used. The FCC closely monitors all of these study results. However, at this time, there is no basis on which to establish a different safety threshold than our current requirements.”5 Not all groups agree that little or no harm is done by RFR. The European organization, 5G Appeal stated that, “over 240 scientists refer to the fact that ‘numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines.’ Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plants and animals. ”6 4 “Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields: Guidelines for Cellular Antenna Sites”, FCC website, Oct 14, 2019 https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/human-exposure-radio-frequency-fields-guidelines-cellular-and-pcs-sites 5 “Wireless Devices and Health Concerns”, FCC, 11/4/2020, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-devices-and-health-concerns 6 5G Appeal, http://www.5gappeal.eu/about/ December 4, 2020 Report No. 2020-101 The general consensus among opponents of 5G service is that there has not been enough research done on the long-term health effects of RFR to determine at what exposure levels it is safe for both humans and the environment.7 All installations of 5G equipment on DME assets require the communication company to install a disconnect switch. The switch’s purpose will allow field personnel, who may have close contact to a 5G antenna or node, to turn off the node – without prior notice to the communication company – prior to field personnel coming in close contact. DME communicated with Professor Shengli Fu (Department Chair – Electric Engineering), from the University of North Texas (UNT), who informed us that 5G is one of his research interests. Dr. Fu stated he is willing to provide a presentation to the Council. If Council would like Dr. Fu to provide a presentation, DME will be happy to coordinate dates. Additionally, if Council prefers that staff issue a formal solicitation to obtain expert advice on this matter, staff will proceed as directed. Legal and Financial Considerations of 5G Texas Senate Bill 1004 restricts the powers of municipalities with respect to telecommunication nodes within public right-of-way (ROW). Exclusive use arrangements and discriminatory fees are prohibited; permitting time limits are set forth; and ROW usage fees are capped to ensure that municipalities provide fair access to ROW facilities to telecommunications providers.8 CONCLUSION: The information provided in this report is a summation of external sources and the City does not have experts in this field on staff. As such, if Council is interested in expert advice on this matter, staff recommends that a one-minute request to the full Council be made to direct staff to identify an expert(s) to present further information to the Council or for staff to issue a formal solicitation for those services. STAFF CONTACT: Aaron Bennion, Engineer III For questions, please contact Jerry Fielder, Engineering Manager, 940-349-7173 7 “We Have No Reason to Believe 5G Is Safe”, Scientific American, October 17, 2019, J. Moskowitz, https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/we-have-no-reason-to-believe-5g-is-safe/ 8 Texas Senate Bill 1004, Enrolled 6/13/2017