6G’s terahertz radiation might raise male reproductive health risks, study finds

6G’s terahertz radiation might raise male reproductive health risks, study finds
Terahertz waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation, are the backbone of 6G technology.

by Mrigakshi Dixit, interestingengineering.com, updated 12 November 2024

Representational image. iStock

The future of wireless technology is on the horizon, promising incredibly high speeds and unprecedented connectivity. But as we edge closer to the 6G era, a new concern has emerged: the potential health risks of terahertz radiation.

Terahertz waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation, are the backbone of 6G technology.

While they promise advancements, there’s growing worry about their impact on human health, particularly male reproductive health.

A recent study by Chinese military scientists from the Army Medical University has revealed potential dangers, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

 
Even low levels of radiation dangerous

Terahertz radiation, even at relatively low levels, can pose a significant risk to male reproductive health.

Researchers published a peer-reviewed paper last month in an academic journal affiliated with the university, where they detailed this finding.

“Overall, the threshold for terahertz radiation to cause damage to testicular tissue likely falls between 115 and 318 microwatts per sq cm (0.1550 square inches),” researchers wrote in the study.

It suggests that the amount of radiation emitted by certain terahertz sources is higher than what is considered safe in China for base stations.

As per SCMP, this exceeds China’s safety standard of “40 microwatts per sq cm at a distance of 1 meter (39 inches).”

Different countries have varying standards for electromagnetic radiation exposure. Japan permits 600 microwatts per square centimeter, whereas the US and some European nations allow 450 per sq cm.

More research required for long-term effects

In this new study, researchers exposed the reproductive organs of male mice to varying levels of terahertz radiation to study its effects.

The researchers exposed male mice to terahertz radiation for just five minutes. The skin showed immediate inflammatory reactions, but surprisingly, the testes appeared unaffected.

However, upon closer examination, the testicles exhibited increased white matter, which indicated the development of inflammation due to radiation.

The researchers hypothesized that the radiation may have created a new pathway. This possibly allowed inflammatory substances from the bloodstream to reach the internal reproductive organs.

Furthermore, genetic changes were observed that could impair sperm function and fertility. But the sperm activity seemed to be normal.

The researchers found that the inflammatory and genetic damage caused by the radiation was temporary, and the mice’s bodies were able to recover in a short while.

“All returned to normal levels after 24 hours,” SCMP reported.

While the immediate effects were reversible, the long-term consequences remain uncertain. Up next, the researchers aim to conduct a study to evaluate the long-term health impacts of repeated exposure to terahertz radiation.

Reportedly, 6G offers much higher speeds than 5G, potentially reaching 1 terabyte (1,000 gigabytes) per second.

Terahertz technology is expected to debut in military applications. Both the US and China have been exploring its potential.

For instance, the US Air Force has been working on the testing and development of terahertz-based high-speed communication systems for high-altitude aircraft.

China’s ambitious plans include using terahertz radar for advanced submarine detection capabilities.

https://interestingengineering.com/science/6gs-terahertz-radiation-male-reproductive-health-risks