Protection of population and workers with cardiac implantable stimulators from 5G exposure. Part II: base station antennas exposure

Abstract

The study investigates the potential risks of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from 5G signals on cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). Given the increasing prevalence of these devices and the widespread adoption of 5G technology, it is crucial to ensure the radiation protection of both workers and general population based on scientific evidence. The research introduces a novel measurement setup able to reproduce the actual signals adopted by 5G providers, focusing on the downlink scenario where the CIED is in proximity to a base station antenna. The study tested the pacing, sensing and high-voltage therapy delivery of 5 implantable defibrillators from major manufacturers under realistic exposure conditions and worst-case scenarios in terms of E-field level, timing and frequency characteristics of the 5G signal. 5G signals were generated at two frequencies (736 and 3680 MHz) and with three modalities (continuous wave, 5G full-traffic and 5G gated). A total of 90 measures were collected, and the results showed that the interfering signal generated according to the actual 5G protocol did not cause any EMI events. The proposed setup could also represent a useful tool for expressing the EMC immunity levels of CIEDs in terms of unperturbed E-field strength. This research demonstrates that 5G mobile terminals do not pose significant risks to PM/ICD wearers and provides important data, enhancing the current understanding of the EMI impact of 5G technology on critical medical devices.