Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GOLIAT (5G expOsure, causaL effects, and rIsk perception through citizen engAgemenT)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31
Much research has taken place in recent decades concerning exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and assessment of its potential effects on health in the general population and in occupational settings. The number of RF-EMF sources and their use in our general environment and workplaces continues to grow as RF-EMF in digital technologies and electronic communication services enable many sectors to meet the sustainability goals of the European Green Deal. Thus the introduction of new generation communication technologies such as 5G, both in industry and in our everyday life, greatly increase the urgency of research to evaluate the potential risks to human health. While no detrimental effect of the low levels of RF-EMF commonly used in telecommunications has been demonstrated, epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that RF-EMF may have neuropsychological effects including cognitive function, mental health and sleep particularly in children, and biological effects including brain function, radical stress, and thermoregulation. Therefore, such research requires the development of novel tools to monitor the evolution of exposure levels and patterns in different populations, and the engagement of appropriate stakeholders to improve perception, communication and management of any attendant risks. Special attention should be paid to the most vulnerable populations (i.e. children, adolescents, and young adults up to 25 years old) and those people most highly exposed (i.e. workers). Therefore, the main aim of GOLIAT is to characterize and monitor RF-EMF exposure, in particular 5G, provide new insights into potential neuropsychological and biological effects, and understand risk perception and communication through citizen engagement using an integrative and transdisciplinary pan-European approach. The main objectives of GOLIAT: focusing on the most vulnerable and most exposed populations; implementing novel and robust methodologies including next-generation exposure assessment, causal inference, experimental work, health impact assessment, mental models, and ethical values assessment; placing a strong emphasis on translation of knowledge and citizen engagement; and developing an accessible data infrastructure for use during and beyond the project. The expected results will serve to deliver robust evidence on the potential effects of (5G) RF-EMF exposure in young people and workers, and contribute to developing guidelines for exposure prevention/reduction from new generation radio-communication networks including Internet of Things.
1. RF-EMF exposure patterns and levels in young people and workers: Results of the first survey of 4,000 subjects in 4 European countries have been analyzed and the second survey prepared. Results of the (5G) exposure measurement campaign of 2023 across 10 countries have been analyzed and the second measurement campaign is ongoing with measurements done in 6 countries. Temporal monitoring of RF-EMF exposure in 10 European countries is ongoing. Stochastic and machine learning modelling for legacy telecom and 5G is finished for 10 countries. The calculation of RF-EMF in-body absorption was done for a large number of frequencies (below 6 GHz). The framework for the expert and a public RF-EMF dose model was provided. Regarding workers, the scoping exercise to identify new and emerging occupational RF-EMF exposure sources was finished. First measurements in occupational settings with maximum exposure scenarios have started in the UK, and measurements in Spain and Poland are being planned.
2. Neuropsychological effects of RF-EMF in young people and workers: We have intensively worked in continuing a large data collection in young people. We prepared the data harmonization codebook and prepared the joint Data Transfer Agreement for sharing all data. Regarding the occupational work, measurements in occupational settings in the UK have started, and measurements in Spain and Poland are being planned.
3. Exposure setups and dosimetry: Development of the setups for in vitro experiments at 0.7 3.5 and 26 GHz, for in vivo experiments at 3.5 and 26 GHz, and for human experiments at 3.5 and 26 GHz. Numerical dosimetry at 3.5 GHz was finalized and ongoing at 26 GHz. Initiation of the microdosimetry.
4. Brain function - biological and neuropsychological effects of 5G: In vitro experiments at 0.7 and 3.5 GHz are completed for some of the tasks, and results have been obtained. In vivo experiments at 0.7 and 3.5 GHz are ongoing. Human experiments at 3.5 GHz have been finalized and results being analyzed, and at 26 GHz are ongoing.
5. Thermoregulation and radical stress - biological effects of 5G: Regarding thermoregulation, in vitro BRET experiments at 0.7 GHz have been completed and are now underway at 3.5 GHz. Patch-clamp studies are ongoing. In vivo experiments are progressing with 3.5 GHz exposures. Human experiments have completed at 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. Regarding radical stress, in vitro experiments are ongoing, focusing on oxidative stress markers in skin cells. The 26 GHz exposure system is operational, and experiments will continue. Regarding molecular modeling, simulations for TRP channels at 0.7 3.5 and 26 GHz are complete and under analysis. Remaining work focuses on modeling SOD1.
6. Understanding health impacts, risk perception, and exposure reduction: The systems-thinking scoping review was finalized. Data from the interviews have been analyzed. The online survey in 10 countries was finalized and results being analyzed. The planning of the case studies on solutions for exposure reduction have started.
7. Co-design and citizen engagement interventions: Execution of co-creation workshops with workers in Spain, and workshops in the UK being planned. A replicable playbook was developed. Foundational work for the young people engagement actions has been completed. A framework for evaluating the impact of all citizen engagement initiatives across the project has been designed and implemented in a pilot stage.
2. Neuropsychological effects of RF-EMF in young people and workers: We have intensively worked in continuing a large data collection in young people. We prepared the data harmonization codebook and prepared the joint Data Transfer Agreement for sharing all data. Regarding the occupational work, measurements in occupational settings in the UK have started, and measurements in Spain and Poland are being planned.
3. Exposure setups and dosimetry: Development of the setups for in vitro experiments at 0.7 3.5 and 26 GHz, for in vivo experiments at 3.5 and 26 GHz, and for human experiments at 3.5 and 26 GHz. Numerical dosimetry at 3.5 GHz was finalized and ongoing at 26 GHz. Initiation of the microdosimetry.
4. Brain function - biological and neuropsychological effects of 5G: In vitro experiments at 0.7 and 3.5 GHz are completed for some of the tasks, and results have been obtained. In vivo experiments at 0.7 and 3.5 GHz are ongoing. Human experiments at 3.5 GHz have been finalized and results being analyzed, and at 26 GHz are ongoing.
5. Thermoregulation and radical stress - biological effects of 5G: Regarding thermoregulation, in vitro BRET experiments at 0.7 GHz have been completed and are now underway at 3.5 GHz. Patch-clamp studies are ongoing. In vivo experiments are progressing with 3.5 GHz exposures. Human experiments have completed at 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. Regarding radical stress, in vitro experiments are ongoing, focusing on oxidative stress markers in skin cells. The 26 GHz exposure system is operational, and experiments will continue. Regarding molecular modeling, simulations for TRP channels at 0.7 3.5 and 26 GHz are complete and under analysis. Remaining work focuses on modeling SOD1.
6. Understanding health impacts, risk perception, and exposure reduction: The systems-thinking scoping review was finalized. Data from the interviews have been analyzed. The online survey in 10 countries was finalized and results being analyzed. The planning of the case studies on solutions for exposure reduction have started.
7. Co-design and citizen engagement interventions: Execution of co-creation workshops with workers in Spain, and workshops in the UK being planned. A replicable playbook was developed. Foundational work for the young people engagement actions has been completed. A framework for evaluating the impact of all citizen engagement initiatives across the project has been designed and implemented in a pilot stage.
We have already made great progress regarding the scientific and technological results, as detailed in the previous section about the work performed and the main achievements, which are the basis for the improvements in the economic and societal impacts. The data to be collected on RF-EMF exposure can potentially be used for further interdisciplinary research and can also shape the business practices of key industry players (e.g. in the telecommunication sector).