Exposure To electromAgnetic fIelds and plaNetary health

Project Information

ETAIN

Grant agreement ID: 101057216

DOI

10.3030/101057216

EC signature date 20 May 2022

Start date 1 June 2022

End date 31 May 2027

Funded under

• Health

Total cost

€ 6 635 053,75

EU contribution

€ 6 635 053,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ETAIN (Exposure To electromAgnetic fIelds and plaNetary health)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ongoing introduction of new telecommunication technologies (5G now, 6G next) comes with changes in exposure patterns and of biological interaction with humans and ecosystems. E.g. the coming mm-wave technology will lead to higher dose in human skin and eyes and higher absorption in small bodies, like insects. It is unclear if these changes are accompanied by adverse effects and what it means for current exposure limit regulation. ETAIN aims to develop and validate approaches to assess the impact of existing and novel communication technology from a planetary health perspective, while exploring options for exposure reduction and interacting with the public and stakeholders about exposure levels and possible associated risks. Following a citizen science paradigm, we will develop an app able to quantify personal absorbed RF-EMF. The app data allows to calculate realistic personal and population dose distributions including RF-EMF maps; and it will ensure a communication strategy matching knowledge needs of citizens and stakeholders. Insights into own exposure and its major contributors will empower citizens to manage their RF-EMF exposure. Also, ETAIN will develop and validate network architecture approaches for an “ALARA by design” approach. ETAIN will elucidate underlying mechanisms of biological effects in humans and the environment. We will focus on human skin and eyes as relevant biological targets of 5G and beyond, and a systems biology approach to evaluate possible effects. Additional efforts focus on insect biodiversity and fitness, especially pollinators at risk of peak exposures close to strong antennas, such as bees. From a planetary health perspective, RF-EMF effects on insects may also have indirect effects on human health and the economy (e.g. via pollination). ETAIN is expected to generate scientific evidence of RF-EMF exposure effects on human, ecosystem and planetary health, feeding into policies and current regulatory frameworks.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

To fulfill Objective 1 (Design, develop and validate an open-access RF-EMF exposure app and portal), the ETAIN 5G Scientist app has been co-designed with citizens, tested, and released in March 2025. It collects data on environmental and personal exposure, with calibration functions, mapping tools, and a dose calculator now operational and continuously updated.
To fulfill Objective 2 (Develop and validate an Integrated Dose Model), extensive numerical simulations have been performed, providing the backbone for the dose calculator. Results highlight new insights on 5G-NR exposure, including the role of device position and frequency dependence (3.5 and 24–28 GHz). Work is extending toward higher frequency bands, with several peer-reviewed publications and a PhD thesis expected in fall 2025.
To fulfill Objective 3 (Develop and validate novel exposure reduction techniques), channel sounding with adaptive beamforming has been advanced, new algorithms have been designed, and the GRAND base station planning tool has been expanded to multiple European cities with improved user-distribution data. An AI-based version of the tool is under development.
To fulfill Objective 4 (Determine the effects of RF-EMF exposure on biodiversity, development & fitness of insects), high-resolution digital insect models have been created and shared, and simulations of RF-EMF absorption have been performed. Laboratory and field experiments with bees, flies, and wild insects are ongoing in Greece and Cyprus, with biodiversity sampling campaigns underway. All WP4 milestones have been completed and results disseminated.
To fulfill Objective 5 (Determine the long-term effects of RF-EMF exposure on human health), reverberation chambers have been set up, and experiments on 3D models of skin, eye, and Drosophila are ongoing at 3.5 and 26 GHz. New biosensors have been developed for ROS and DNA damage detection, and multi-generational fly experiments are near completion. Data analysis is ongoing and publications are in preparation.
To fulfill Objective 6 (Describe the planetary health impact of 5G and subsequent recommendations for regulatory frameworks), the first version of the Planetary Health Impact Assessment (PHIA) framework has been developed in the form of a knowledge graph. AI tools have been tested for literature analysis, and systematic reviews on exposure and effects are underway.
To fulfill Objective 7 (Engage with stakeholders to integrate their inputs into the project activities), engagement and communication have been scaled up with continuous citizen involvement, expanded dissemination efforts, and stakeholder outreach targeting potential users of the 5G Scientist app.
Recent updates can be found at https://www.etainproject.eu/.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Considering the initial state of the project, current results are limited to the definition of procedures and protocols to employ for the planned studies. Recent updates can be found on the website https://www.etainproject.eu/ .

The interlink between RF-EMF technology, human health, and planetary health at the center of ETAIN.