Human skin cells zapped with strong 5G waves. Here’s what researchers found

The researchers claim that even strong 5G electromagnetic fields did not significantly alter the basic genetic functions of human skin cells.

Analysis of two skin cells

In the new study, the team blasted electromagnetic fields on two types of human skin cells: fibroblasts and keratinocytes. 

As per the study, the cells were subjected to electromagnetic fields as high as ten times the safe limits for durations of 2 and 48 hours.

Particularly, the team used 5G electromagnetic waves at frequencies of 27 and 40.5 GHz with different intensities.

They looked for any alterations caused by the 5G electromagnetic fields.

For this, the team examined two key aspects of the skin cells: gene expression, which indicates which genes are active and how much, and methylation patterns, which are chemical markers on the DNA that can control gene activity.

The study was conducted with strict temperature control and blind testing.

What they observed were only minimal changes. These changes were so small that they were statistically insignificant.

“Differences in gene expression and methylation due to exposure were small and not higher than expected by chance. These data strongly support the assessment that there is no evidence for exposure-induced damage to human skin cells,” the researchers wrote in the study paper.

The authors say their study is the first to use advanced techniques like whole-genome RNA sequencing and methylation arrays to look at how 5G frequencies affect genes and the way those genes are controlled. 

Various 5G conspiracy theories

The mobile phone uses electromagnetic waves within particular frequency bands to connect to Wi-Fi and cellular data. 

As data usage increases, these frequency ranges can become congested, causing slower speeds. 5G addresses this by using new, higher radio frequencies than older 4G networks.

Presently 5G operates below 6 gigahertz, but in the coming years, it will reportedly also use frequencies between 24 and 43 gigahertz. 

That’s why it has been important to understand how deeply these waves penetrate our skin.

As the study points out, electromagnetic waves below 3 GHz penetrate only about 10 millimeters (0.39 inches). And the higher frequencies (10 GHz) used by 5G? Gizmodo reported they remain even more “superficial”, reaching a mere millimeter or less into the skin.

They hope their study will resolve the 5G network controversy. 

Right from the time cell phone towers and wireless communication were introduced, theories falsely linking them to harm have circulated.

The 2019 rollout of the 5G cellular service, unfortunately, coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, making it a target for outlandish conspiracy theories.

PopSci reported some conspiracy theories connected the technology to COVID-19 infections and negative health effects. Reportedly, some even believe this technology could melt DNA.