Article publication date
August 2025
ARPANSA review date
September 2025
Summary
This experimental cell (in vitro) study evaluated the effect of exposure to 5G radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on oxidative stress and DNA repair in human skin cells. Cells were either given no exposure (i.e., sham exposed) or exposed at 3.5 GHz frequency to specific absorption rate levels of 0.08 W/kg and 4 W/kg; a constant temperature of 37 °C at tissue sample level was maintained throughout the exposure. Oxidate stress on the cells was evaluated by assessing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following 24 hours exposure; adaptive response and DNA damage repair efficiency of the exposed cells were evaluated after the cells were exposed for 20 hours and up to 48 hours, respectively. The findings of the study showed no significant effect of 5G RF-EMF exposure, either alone or in combination with a ‘positive control’ (e.g., arsenic trioxide ROS inducer). Further, the RF-EMF exposure neither induced an adaptive response to oxidative stress or impaired DNA repair efficiency of the exposed cells. The study concluded that 5G RF-EMF exposure at a constant temperature (37 °C) does not affect oxidative stress levels, trigger an adaptive response, or interfere with DNA repair processes in human skin cells.
Published in
Scientific Reports
Link to study
Commentary by ARPANSA
The study findings indicate that 5G RF-EMF exposure well above prescribed whole body general public limits (e.g., in the ARPANSA safety standard) of 0.08 or 4 W/kg does not result in oxidative stress, trigger adaptive response, or impair DNA repair efficiency in human skin cells. These findings are consistent to the recent conclusions of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and WHO commissioned review (systematic review). They reported statistically non-significant results for most of the outcomes; though some showed significant effects. Nevertheless, for all outcomes irrespective of whether or not they reported an effect, the studies were rated as very low certainty of evidence. The review also highlighted the need for future quality studies to support evidence-based emerging RF-EMF health risk assessments. Overall, ARPANSA views that there is no substantiated scientific evidence that RF-EMF exposure (including from 5G at 3.5 GHz) below the limits set in the ARPANSA safety standard, which is aligned with the international best practice ICNIRP guidelines, poses a health risk to human populations.
