This RF Safe commentary argues that wireless communications “took a wrong turn” by prioritizing radiofrequency/microwave transmission over light-based approaches, citing Alexander Graham Bell’s 1880 photophone as an alternative model. It suggests that widespread, continuous RF exposure in modern environments is undesirable and proposes light-based, room-scale wireless as more biologically compatible. The piece also speculates about a historical association between Heinrich Hertz’s close-range RF experiments and his later fatal illness, while acknowledging there is no controlled evidence proving causation.

This narrative review discusses biological mechanisms and reported health effects of anthropogenic extremely low frequency (ELF) and wireless communication (WC) electromagnetic fields. It highlights oxidative stress and DNA damage as key mechanistic endpoints and proposes an IFO-VGIC pathway linking EMF exposure to ROS overproduction and cellular dysfunction. The authors interpret the broader literature as indicating risks (e.g., cancer, infertility, EHS) even below current exposure limits and advocate precautionary policy measures, including stricter limits and a 5G moratorium.

This review discusses the rapid deployment of 5G and the associated debate about potential human health impacts from EMF exposure, particularly at 3.5–26 GHz including millimeter waves. It emphasizes limited published studies in these exposure ranges and highlights EU-funded initiatives and research consortia aimed at closing knowledge gaps. The authors state that guidelines are generally considered adequate at present, but argue that uncertainties—especially regarding long-term exposure—support continued research and precautionary approaches.