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.
