The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has said that the first UK safety tests of 5G base stations found radiation levels at "tiny fractions" of safety limits.
In its first tests since 5G technology deployment, Ofcom, the UK government-approved regulatory and competition authority, found that radiation levels at the base stations were well within the safety limits.
During the tests, the highest result found for the 5G band was 0.039% of the recommended exposure limit. These limits were set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Non-ionizing radiation refers to the type of radiation that does not damage DNA and cells.
An Ofcom spokesman said: "The emissions at each site were a tiny fraction of the maximum levels set out in international guidelines." The tests were carried out at 6 locations in 10 cities across the UK where 5G-enabled mobile base stations had been deployed, and measured the strength of the electromagnetic field (EMF).
The aforementioned highest EMF emissions result were recorded in Birmingham's Mailbox development. In comparison, the highest strength for all mobile bands was found in London's Canary Wharf, at 1.5% the safe limit but with a zero 5G measurement.
In the technical report outlining its findings, Ofcom said: "Clearly, the deployment of 5G networks and the take-up of 5G services is at an early stage. We will therefore continue to undertake EMF measurements to monitor the overall trends in the long term."
While the public has expressed concern over the health impacts of 5G, health experts have consistently described the technology as safe to use.
Public Health England acknowledged that the addition of 5G to the existing technologies used could cause "a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves". But in its official guidance, it said: "However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health."
