‘No convincing evidence that 5G is dangerous’ says UK's Digital Minister

House of Commons
(Image credit: Carl Walker / Pixabay)

The UK Minister for Digital and Broadband, Matt Warman has confirmed once again that, as far as the government is concerned, 5G technology poses no increased health risks to the public due to increased exposure to radiation.

Last week, Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill asked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport what steps its ministers are taking “to mitigate health risks to the public from increased EMF/RF (electro and magnetic fields/radio frequency) radiation resulting from the rollout of the 5G network”.  Warman replied, saying, “Exposure to radio waves is not new and health-related research has been conducted on this topic over several decades.

“The ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) is formally recognised by the World Health Organization and its guidelines underpin health-protection policies at UK and European levels,” he continued.

Provided the ICNIRP guidelines are followed, there is no convincing evidence that 5G is dangerous

Digital minister, Matt Warman

“Provided the ICNIRP guidelines are followed, there is no convincing evidence that 5G is dangerous," Warman continued to say. 

"Government continues to be guided by Public Health England’s advice on the matter. This states that while a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within guidelines and can be expected to have no consequence on public health. It is important to note that the ICNIRP guidelines apply up to 300 GHz, well beyond the maximum frequencies under discussion for 5G.” 


Public officials and technology firms have both tried to dispel the theory that 5G technology will cause a large spike in radiation and pose a greater risk to public health than 4G technology but 5G dangers remain a popular topic. In the House of Commons both Warman, and his predecessor, Margot James, have received questions on the issue. Like James, Warman has always been committed to busting health myths over 5G technology. 

Rachael Sharpe

Rachael is a British journalist with 17 years experience in the publishing industry. Since launching www.digitalcameraworld.com, she’s been freelancing, and working for some of the world’s best-loved websites and magazines including T3.com and TechRadar.com and has also had a book, iPad for Photographers, published. A regular contributor at 5Gradar, Rachael is following the 5G market closely. Find out more at www.rachaelsharpe.com