Speaker
Description
The exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, coming from mobile communication technologies, have raised societal concerns. Although guidelines have been set by the ICNIRP (such as non-specific heating above 1 °C when exposed to radiofrequency fields), concerns rise about the possible potential health impacts due to the non-thermal effects. With the deployment of 5th generation (5G) communication technologies, which uses higher carrier frequencies, human skin has become the primary biological target. In response to the ongoing debate on the effects of RF-EMF on human cells, we addressed the impact of 5G modulated 3.5 GHz radiofrequency (RF) EMF on oxidative stress in human fibroblast cells using BRET (Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer) probes sensing reactive oxygen species (ROS) either in the cytoplasm or the mitochondria. Fibroblasts cells transiently expressing such BRET probes were exposed to 5G modulated 3.5 GHz at SAR levels of 0.08 and 4 W/kg for 24h. We tested whether 5G exposure could directly trigger an oxidative stress in the exposed cells, synergize with various chemical ROS inducer, or trigger an adaptive response.
