Do cell phones, Wi-Fi, and 5G cause radiation poisoning? Many social media posts claim they do, and a survey of 331 adults in four states found that 20% of respondents heard the claim in the last week. In St. Louis, only 6% of adults surveyed had heard the claim, but 62% of them believed it was or could be true.
According to the claims, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) associated with these internet connectivity technologies are causing radiation poisoning. Here’s a quick overview of what St. Louis residents need to know.
Radiation is a form of energy associated with electromagnetic fields (EMF). There are two types of EMFs: ionizing and non-ionizing. Scientists note that while high doses of ionizing radiation (e.g., X-rays) may be associated with cancer, there is currently no evidence linking non-ionizing radiation to cancer. Non-ionizing radiation from sources like cellphones, 5G internet, and power lines are similar to FM radio waves and light waves, posing no clear threat.
However, there are still uncertainties regarding non-ionizing EMFs. For instance, there is limited research about the potential impact of concentrated areas of 5G in populated cities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continue to test and evaluate electronic product radiation, providing information to the public about the radiofrequency energy emitted by cell phones.
This week’s report is based on 160 responses from a panel of adult residents of St. Louis surveyed from Saturday, December 16, to Monday, December 18, 2023. Explore these data and more at iHeard St. Louis.
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Here’s a quick overview of what to know about claims that say cell phones, Wi-Fi and 5G internet are linked to radiation poisoning. Radiation comes in two types: ionizing and non-ionizing. High doses of ionizing radiation like X-rays may cause cancer, but there’s no evidence that non-ionizing radiation from cellphones, 5G internet, Wi-Fi, and power lines can.
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