Are 5G Towers Really Safe - or a Hidden Health Risk?

The scientific and regulatory consensus is that 5G technology, operating within established safety guidelines, poses no proven health risk to the public. However, some regulatory bodies, scientists, and the public are still concerned, which highlights the need for clear communication and accessible facts.

As 5G towers continue to spring up across cities and neighborhoods, more and more people are asking: Could living near one of these towers be harmful to your health? Are 5G towers safe? Concerns range from fears about cancer and weakened immunity to worries about subtle biological effects that might not yet be fully understood.

Keep reading to explore the worries surrounding 5G, its potential benefits, the health questions being raised by communities near these towers, regulatory standards, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself.

 

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What are 5G Towers and Why are They So Controversial?
• What are Potential Health Risks of Living Near a 5G Tower?
  • Do 5G towers increase the risk of cancer?
  • Can living near 5G towers weaken your immune system?
  • 5G towers and the potential risk of tissue heating
• Regulatory standards for 5G towers
• What to do if you live near a 5G tower
• Are 5G towers safe after all?

 

What are 5G Towers and Why are They So Controversial?

5G towers are part of the infrastructure for the fifth generation of wireless technology. While they look similar to towers used for previous generations (3G and 4G), the key difference lies in the equipment they house, which makes them 5G. They utilize beamforming to send direct high energy beams straight to your device, instead of sending out an omnidirectional signal.

 

5G networks use a combination of different frequency bands to provide various levels of coverage and speed:

• Low-band (Below 1 GHz): These frequencies are similar to those used by previous generations and can cover large areas.
• Mid-band (Below 6 GHz): This is the most widely deployed type of 5G and provides a good balance of speed and coverage.
• High-band (24 GHz and above): These millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies provide incredibly fast data speeds but have a very short range.

 

 

High-band 5G signals are the only “new” frequencies that have never been seen before in wireless public communication. However, they have a shorter range, so a denser network of base stations is required. This has led to the deployment of small cells on things like utility poles and light poles. They can be as close as 750 feet apart, as opposed to miles of coverage for a regular cell tower. There is also an 11-fold increase in low orbit 5G satellites supplementing the grounded small cells.

The controversy arises from the rapid rollout of new 5G towers in communities across the U.S., which has led some residents to raise concerns about possible health effects. The rollout seemed to come with little health considerations. 

Are these concerns really justified? And are the concerns worth the benefits of this new technology.

What are Potential Health Risks of Living Near a 5G Tower?

As 5G towers become more common, some residents have raised concerns about possible health effects. Common health worries with 5G towers include cancer risk, impacts on the immune system, and tissue heating. While research is ongoing and no conclusive dangers have yet to be confirmed, these concerns have prompted scientists to study the potential effects more closely.

What are the differences in potential health risks with a 5G tower vs. 4G towers? The power levels coming from small cell sites will be higher and closer to you. To travel 750 feet, 5G antennas need to transmit at a power lever over 40 watts–and possibly up to 100 watts. 4G towers transmit at around 60 watts, but they are up to 5 miles away. So if you live very close to a 5G small cell site, you may be exposed to more EMFs at a higher power level.

In terms of evidence or studies on 5G effects specifically, there are not many, and the studies that are out there are mostly self-reported symptoms. Some people living near 5G towers have anecdotally reported experiencing more immediate side effects such as persistent headaches, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and brain fog.

 

A Swedish series of seven case reports (16 individuals aged 4–83) documented onset of severe insomnia, headache, fatigue, concentration problems, memory loss, and emotional distress shortly after 5G deployment near their homes. In 14 of 16 cases, symptoms improved or resolved upon moving away from 5G exposures.

Self-reported EHS surveys estimate that about 1% of populations in some countries attribute headaches and sleep disturbances to RF-EMF exposure.

More Studies:

5G affecting tissue in rat brains

Effects on sleep (on one genotype)

Do 5G Towers Increase the Risk of Cancer?

Current studies done by IARC or National Cancer Institute have not confirmed that 5G towers cause cancer, but broader research on EMF exposure raises important questions related to cancer.

While 5G uses non-ionizing radiation - meaning it doesn’t directly damage DNA - studies on EMFs in general have shown mixed results when it comes to cancer risk.

 
World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies radiofrequency EMFs as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on limited evidence linking heavy cellphone use to certain types of brain tumors.

One of the biggest studies done on EMFs and cancer risk was conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and it showed that high exposure to RFR (900 MHz) used by cell phones was associated with clear evidence of an association with tumors in the hearts of male rats, and some evidence of an association with tumors in the brains and adrenal glands of male rats.

So far, no large-scale studies have directly tied 5G towers or high-band frequencies to cancer, and this is because the technology is still so new there hasn’t been time to conduct longitudinal studies. But given the biological effects observed in EMF studies more broadly, many experts (ourselves included!) recommend continued research and caution, especially for people living close to towers.

Can Living Near 5G Towers Weaken Your Immune System?

There is no direct proof yet that 5G towers weaken immunity, but EMFs in general have been shown to affect biological systems in ways that may influence immune function.

Research shows that non-ionizing EMFs act as environmental stressors, triggering a conserved pattern of cellular reactions aimed at maintaining homeostasis. This includes cell-cycle arrest, activation of repair pathways, modulation of heat-shock proteins, and, if damage is excessive, programmed cell death. A broad review of cellular and animal studies reveals mixed effects across physiological systems. 

Some laboratory studies on EMF exposure (at levels higher than typical environmental exposure) suggest possible impacts on oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular signaling, all processes tied to immune health. These findings may not directly prove that living near a 5G tower compromises your immune system, but they highlight why the concern persists.

In other words: 5G itself hasn’t been shown to suppress immunity, but what we know about EMFs in general suggests that it’s worth paying attention to this potential risk.

5G Towers and the Potential Risk of Tissue Heating

Real-world exposure from 5G towers is below levels known to cause tissue heating, but the concern stems from how millimeter waves interact with the body.

At very high intensities, EMFs can cause heating of tissues, and 5G uses higher-frequency millimeter waves than previous networks. Some researchers caution that localized effects, particularly on skin or eyes, which absorb higher-frequency waves more readily, should be studied more closely.

Due to high-band 5G’s shorter wavelength, it can’t penetrate through your skin as easily as longer wavelengths. However, 5G is exposing your skin, a very large and important organ, to much higher, more biologically active frequencies. Some research suggests the biological response will be triggered in the skin and have physiological effects on the nervous system, heart, and immune system.

So even though studies haven’t confirmed that 5G towers cause harmful heating in humans, our broader understanding of EMFs shows that the mechanism exists, and ongoing vigilance is important.

What Are the Regulatory Standards for 5G Towers?

Regulatory standards are in place to limit human exposure to radiofrequency radiation. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets limits on emissions from mobile towers, which are designed to keep exposure levels well below thresholds that could cause harm. The limits vary by frequency, as the body absorbs RF energy differently at different frequencies.

Source: FCC OET Bulletin 65

It’s also important to note that the FCC last updated their standards for wireless exposure in 1996, long before cellphones and other wireless devices became embedded in our day-to-day lives – let alone factoring new technology such as 5G. 

A study from August 2025 suggests that with the advancement of 5G and the approaching 6G, whose wavelengths are on the same order as skin microstructures, traditional SAR measurements that don’t take the skin’s complex structure into account may significantly underestimate how much EMF is absorbed by the body.

As such, at DefenderShield, we advocate for continued monitoring, transparent enforcement, and updates to guidelines as new research emerges. Being informed about exposure levels helps individuals make proactive choices about their safety.

What to Do If You Live Near a 5G Tower?

If you’re concerned about living near a 5G tower, there are practical steps you can take to minimize potential exposure and gain peace of mind:

 

1. Understand Your Proximity and Measure Exposure: While there isn't one single government-mandated "safe" distance, many independent experts and building biologists recommend maintaining a distance of at least 400-500 meters (about a quarter of a mile) to significantly reduce exposure. You can use tools like an RF meter to measure signal strength in your home, identifying which rooms or areas receive the highest levels of radiation.

 

2. Create Lower-Exposure Zones in Your Home: Spend less time in areas of your home or property that are closest to the tower. Based on your RF meter readings, rearrange your living space. Move beds, desks, and couches away from the walls or windows with the highest readings to reduce your exposure, especially in areas where you spend the most time.

 

3. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with research from credible sources and follow guidance from local and national regulatory bodies. Understanding exposure levels and safety standards can empower you to make informed decisions about your environment.

 

4. Advocate for transparency: Engage with local authorities, neighborhood associations, or community forums about tower placement, monitoring, and safety programs. Being proactive can help ensure that regulations are followed and that new towers are installed responsibly.

 

5. Use EMF shielding products: EMF shielding products offer targeted protection for your home, office, or personal devices. You can put shielding on a wall facing a tower, or use EMF shielding clothing and accessories for your devices. They can reduce EMF exposure from sources like cell towers, Wi-Fi, and smartphones, providing extra peace of mind for those living nearby.

What do the Experts Say About 5G Towers Safety?

The safety of 5G technology is a subject of ongoing public discussion. Scientific and regulatory bodies worldwide have conducted extensive research on the health effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which are used by 5G and other wireless technologies. Here’s what the leading experts and organizations say:

1. The World Health Organization (WHO)

The WHO's official position is that, based on a large body of research, there is no conclusive scientific evidence of a health risk from exposure to low-level RF EMFs from wireless networks. The WHO has been conducting a comprehensive health risk assessment of RF EMFs, and its International EMF Project, established in 1996, coordinates research and provides guidance on the matter. The WHO's work indicates that as long as exposure remains below established guidelines, there are no known adverse health effects.

2. The IARC Classification

A common point of contention is the 2011 classification of RF radiation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the WHO. The IARC classified RF radiation as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B). It is crucial to understand the context and nuance of this classification:

• Basis of the Classification: The Group 2B classification was based on studies of long-term, heavy mobile phone use (1G/2G/3G), not 5G. The evidence was judged to be "limited" in humans and "limited" in animal studies. The IARC has not yet evaluated the higher frequencies used by 5G.
• Context of Group 2B: The "possibly carcinogenic" designation is one of the lowest levels of concern in the IARC's classification system. This group includes hundreds of other common substances and exposures, from aspartame to talcum powder. It does not mean the substance will cause cancer, but rather that a causal link is possible and warrants further research. The next group is Group 2A: Probably Carcinogenic to Humans. More research that shows causal, not associated, effects on humans would be needed to change to this designation.
  
  

3. National and Regional Regulators

Major regulatory bodies around the world have also affirmed that 5G technology is safe within current exposure limits.

• U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Following a six-year inquiry, the FCC reviewed its RF exposure standards in 2019 and concluded that they are still protective of public health for 5G and other wireless technologies. They did lose a landmark court case to the Children’s Health Defense in 2021 showing the FCC’s SAR standards fail to adequately protect the public, and especially children, from EMF radiation.
  The FCC's position is that the existing scientific evidence does not support an increase in health risks from RF exposure at or below the current limits.
• European Union and National Bodies: Regulatory bodies across the European Union, including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), follow and adopt guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP, an independent scientific body, sets international exposure limits based on a consensus of global scientific literature. The UKHSA has conducted its own studies on 5G and found that exposure levels are well below the ICNIRP limits, posing no identified risk to public health.

So, Are 5G Towers Safe After All?

The rollout of 5G towers has sparked legitimate questions about potential health risks, particularly for people living nearby. Concerns about cancer, immune system effects, and tissue heating, along with broader questions about long-term EMF exposure, have prompted ongoing research and community discussions. While definitive answers are still emerging, it’s clear that these concerns should not be dismissed.

If you live near a 5G tower, taking proactive steps can provide peace of mind. This includes monitoring your exposure, limiting time spent near high-powered antennas, and using EMF shielding products. Staying informed and cautious allows you to navigate new technologies responsibly, weighing their benefits against possible consequences.

For a deeper dive into this topic and the latest research, check out our other blog that explores whether 5G is safe from a broader angle.