Abstract
The rollout of the fifth generation of mobile telecommunications is bringing new and complex technology to enable high speed and bandwidth communications to end-users. This novel infrastructure is one of the pillars for future Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things. However, it is also bringing new human exposure scenarios in a denser infrastructure of non-ionizing radiating elements to be incorporated in urban, rural and indoor environments. Also is carrying new hazards and risks to end-users and telecommunications industry exposed workers. This panorama may contribute to new public and occupational health problems. Even as there is nearly universal acceptance of exposure limits suggested by the specialized global bodies (v.g. ICNIRP, IEEE) and enforced by local regulating authorities, there are myths and fears amongst the public which suggest a negative perception of such a beneficial technology. This paper focuses on the importance of engineering education and collaborative programs to enhance the safety 5G and millimetric wave radiofrequency (RF) use in electronic communications. Our research shows that occupational fatalities and injuries due to exposure to RF EMF are not recorded in official labor records kept in U.S., U.K. and Mexico. Possible causes of these omissions are an over-emphasis on short-term effects in exposure levels guidelines and lack of substantiated epidemiological data regarding RF safety. Also, we demonstrate the potential benefits in this area from academia and industry collaboration for public and occupational health.
Presenters
Luis Miguel Martinez CervantesProfessor, Department of Engineering Studies for Innovation, Universidad Iberoamericana, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Health Policies and Practices
KEYWORDS
EMF, Limits, Non-ionising, Radiation, Biomedical
