The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has published a new systemic map revealing the extent of high-frequency wireless radio waves and technology such as 5G nearby Australian plants and animals.
Led by ARPANSA’s Health Impact Assessment, Assistant Director Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, the 334 papers from Victoria’s Swinburne University reveal that while there is no substantiated evidence of harm, it highlights the need for more high-quality research into the effects of the waves and high-frequency wireless.
“At ARPANSA, our mission is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation’ A/Prof Karipidis said.
“This map presents all the available research on the impact of radio waves on plants and animals in the environment (and) it specifically highlights areas where further research is required,” he said.
“Future research should investigate the effect of radio waves at higher frequencies such as those used by 5G and future technologies,” he said.
“This map is particularly timely given the public concern over the impact of the 5G network and other telecommunications sources on the environment.”
A/Prof Karipidis said the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), of which he is a Main Commission member, is currently preparing a statement on the environmental effects of radio waves.
“This systematic map will help to inform that ICNIRP project,” he said.
ARPANSA has said it will continue to evaluate scientific evidence on potential effects of radio waves as part of its role to protect people and the environment.
The systematic map was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Evidence and a summary of the research has been published on ARPANSA’s website at this PS News link.
