5G Technology Deployment: A Thorough Examination of the Potential and Difficulties for Environmental Sustainability, Human Health, and Sociotechnical Systems

Belay Sitotaw Goshu

Abstract


The introduction of 5G technology presents challenges in the areas of human health, environmental sustainability, and socio-technical systems, but it also holds the promise of revolutionary improvements in healthcare, industry, and connectivity. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of 5G, pinpoint areas in need of further research, and suggest ways to minimize its negative effects while optimizing its positive ones. Statistical analysis, qualitative reviews, and quantitative simulations were all incorporated into a mixed-methods approach. Mathematical models simulated the impacts of 5 G on health (e.g., obesity risk), the environment (e.g., carbon emissions), and sociotechnical systems (e.g., the digital divide) from 2020 to 2025, using data from various sources. 5G lowers industrial downtime by 25% and improves healthcare outcomes by 20% through remote surgeries. However, it increases the risk of obesity by 30%, carbon emissions by 35.5%, and the digital divide by 137.9%. These effects are successfully balanced by mitigation techniques like screen time limits, the use of renewable energy, and rural 5G projects. 5G's benefits can be maximized through sustainable and equitable. To guarantee long-term societal benefits, its difficulties must be proactively mitigated. Adopt renewable energy for 5G infrastructure, launch public health campaigns, and form alliances to close the digital divide while continuing research trials on the long-term effects.


Keywords


5G technology, health impacts, environmental sustainability, digital divide, mitigation

Full Text:

PDF

References


Brown, A., Lee, K., & Patel, R. (2023). Health implications of 5G technology. Journal of Public Health, 45(2), 123–130.

Chen, L., Zhang, H., & Wang, Y. (2023). Remote surgery in the 5G era: A case study from Shanghai. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 29(5), 345–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X231156789

Deloitte. (2023). Industry 4.0 and the role of 5G in smart manufacturing. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/industry4.0-5g

Deloitte. (2023a). 5G in industry: A transformative approach. Deloitte Insights.

Deloitte. (2024). 5G and healthcare: Transforming patient care. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/5g-healthcare-2024

Ericsson. (2023). 5G network performance report 2023. Ericsson Mobility Report. https://www.ericsson.com/mobility-report/2023

Ericsson. (2024). Sustainable 5G: Reducing the carbon footprint. Ericsson Sustainability Report. https://www.ericsson.com/sustainability-2024

European Commission. (2024). Rural 5G initiative: 2024 progress report. EC Directorate-General for Communications Networks. https://ec.europa.eu/rural-5g-2024

FAO. (2024). Precision agriculture and 5G: Opportunities for rural development. Food and Agriculture Organization. https://www.fao.org/precision-agriculture-2024

Global Wellness Institute. (2024). Digital dependency and health in the 5G era. GWI Reports. https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/reports/2024-digital-health

Goshu, B.S., (2024), Assessment of Radio Frequency Radiation from Smartphones: Implications for Human Health, EJAS Journal of Science and Technology 1, 34 – 47

Greenpeace. (2023). The environmental impact of 5G networks. Greenpeace International. https://www.greenpeace.org/reports/5g-environment-2023

ICNIRP. (2023). Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields. ICNIRP Publications.

ITU. (2024). Global Connectivity Report 2024: Bridging the Digital Divide. International Telecommunication Union. https://www.itu.int/reports/2024-connectivity

Kaspersky. (2023). Cybersecurity risks in the 5G era. Kaspersky Lab. https://www.kaspersky.com/reports/5g-cybersecurity-2023

Nokia. (2024). Green 5G: Sustainable network solutions. Nokia Sustainability Report. https://www.nokia.com/sustainability-2024

Qualcomm. (2023). The 5G economy: Economic impact by 2035. Qualcomm Technologies. https://www.qualcomm.com/5g-economy-2035

Siemens. (2024). Upskilling for 5G: Workforce development in manufacturing. Siemens Industry Reports. https://www.siemens.com/5g-workforce-2024

Simkó, M., & Mattsson, M. O. (2019). 5G wireless communication and health effects—A pragmatic review based on available studies regarding 6 to 100 GHz. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183406

Smith, J., & Jones, M. (2022). 5G technology: Opportunities and challenges. Tech Review, 18(3), 45–52.

Smith, J., Brown, L., & Patel, R. (2024). Screen time and adolescent health in the 5G era. The Lancet Digital Health, 6(3), e189–e197. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(24)00012-3

UNEP. (2023). Environmental impacts of digital infrastructure. United Nations Environment Programme.

UNEP. (2024). Climate change and health: 2024 global assessment. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/climate-health-2024

UNFCCC. (2015). The Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/paris-agreement

WHO. (2023). Radiofrequency fields and public health. World Health Organization.

WHO. (2024). E-waste and public health: Emerging concerns. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/e-waste-health-2024

World Bank. (2024). Digital development report: 5G and global inequality. World Bank Publications. https://www.worldbank.org/digital-development-2024

Ziskin, M. C., Alekseev, S. I., & Foster, K. R. (2023). Millimeter-wave exposure and thermal effects: A review. Environmental Research, 215, 114321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.114321




DOI: https://doi.org/10.33258/birex.v8i1.8130

Article Metrics

Abstract view : 0 times
PDF - 0 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
 

 

Statcounter for Budapest International Research in Exact Sciences (BirEx Journal)