Effects of 26 GHz radiofrequency exposure on electrodermal activity in healthy young adults

PAPER pubmed Int J Radiat Biol . Randomized trial Effect: no_effect Evidence: Moderate

Read original paper → PMID: 42234550 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Int J Radiat Biol . 2026 Jun 3:1-10. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2026.2678295. Online ahead of print. Effects of 26 GHz radiofrequency exposure on electrodermal activity in healthy young adults Lisa Michelant 1 2, Laurent Hugueville 3, Philippe Leveque 4, Brahim Selmaoui 1 2 Affiliations Expand PMID: 42234550 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2026.2678295 Abstract Purpose: The deployment of 26 GHz millimeter wave technology represents the next phase of 5 G implementation, yet potential effects on autonomic nervous system function remain unexplored. This study investigated whether environmental-level 26 GHz exposure influences electrodermal activity (EDA), a sensitive marker of sympathetic nervous system activation. Materials and methods: Twenty-two healthy young adults participated in a randomized, counterbalanced, triple-blind study examining EDA responses to controlled 26 GHz exposure. Participants underwent two sessions (real and sham exposure) with electric field intensities of 2 V/m at head level and 1 V/m at torso level, representing upper environmental exposure ranges. EDA parameters were measured during pre-exposure, exposure (25.5 min), and post-exposure phases using established continuous decomposition analysis. Both tonic components (baseline sympathetic activation) and phasic responses (stimulus-evoked reactions) were assessed following standardized auditory stimulation protocols. Results: No statistically significant effects of 26 GHz exposure were observed across all measured EDA parameters. Tonic activity, phasic responses, response latency, amplitude measures, and global skin conductance remained unchanged during and following RF exposure compared to sham conditions across all experimental phases. Conclusions: Environmental-level 26 GHz exposure does not produce detectable acute effects on sympathetic nervous system activity as measured through electrodermal responses. These findings contrast with reported effects at lower 5 G frequencies, suggesting frequency-specific biological interactions. The limited tissue penetration of millimeter waves likely prevents electromagnetic energy from reaching sympathetically innervated structures. Results support current guidelines yet emphasize the need for complementary study. Keywords: 5G; Autonomic nervous system; Electrodermal activity; Galvanic skin reflex; Human exposure; Millimeter waves.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Randomized trial

Effect direction

no_effect

Population

22 healthy young adults

Sample size

Exposure

mmWave 5G mobile technology · 26000 MHz · 25.5 minutes

Evidence strength

Moderate

Confidence: 70% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

No statistically significant effects of 26 GHz exposure were observed on electrodermal activity parameters during or after exposure compared to sham conditions.

Outcomes measured

electrodermal activity (EDA) parameters including tonic activity, phasic responses, response latency, amplitude measures, global skin conductance

Limitations

Small sample size
Only acute exposure assessed
Limited to healthy young adults
Only environmental-level exposure intensities studied

Suggested hubs

5g-policy (0.9)
Study investigates biological effects of 26 GHz millimeter wave 5G exposure.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "randomized_trial",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "mmWave",
        "source": "5G mobile technology",
        "frequency_mhz": 26000,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "25.5 minutes"
    },
    "population": "22 healthy young adults",
    "sample_size": 22,
    "outcomes": [
        "electrodermal activity (EDA) parameters including tonic activity, phasic responses, response latency, amplitude measures, global skin conductance"
    ],
    "main_findings": "No statistically significant effects of 26 GHz exposure were observed on electrodermal activity parameters during or after exposure compared to sham conditions.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size",
        "Only acute exposure assessed",
        "Limited to healthy young adults",
        "Only environmental-level exposure intensities studied"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "Autonomic nervous system",
        "Electrodermal activity",
        "Galvanic skin reflex",
        "Human exposure",
        "Millimeter waves"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study investigates biological effects of 26 GHz millimeter wave 5G exposure."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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