GOLIAT - 5G expOsure, causaL effects, and rIsk perception through citizen engagement 

ID Call: HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02-01 - Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health

Sapienza's role in the project: Other beneficiary

Scientific supervisor for Sapienza: Francesca Apollonio

Department: Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications

Project start date: June 1, 2022

Project end date: May 31, 2027

Project Abstract:

Despite the rapid growth of new applications of wireless technology, relatively little is known about their potential impact on health, particularly when referring to the most vulnerable (young people up to 25 years old) and the most exposed (workers).

In this context, GOLIAT's goals are multiple: on the one hand, to monitor exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), with specific reference to 5G technology; on the other hand, to identify and quantify potential causal effects on human health, and finally to understand how risks and exposures are perceived using citizen engagement for more effective communication.

By applying an integrative, trans-disciplinary, pan-European approach, the project will: 1) develop the next generation of exposure assessment methods to estimate the aggregate dose of RF-EMF throughout the body and in specific organs in young subjects; 2) identify new occupational RF-EMF sources resulting from the implementation of 5G technology and in relation to these, estimate RF-EMF exposure levels in workers; 3) the neuropsychological effects of RF-EMF exposure in young people and workers will be assessed using causal inference; 4) the potential health impact on humans for population exposure will be quantified 5) the effects of 5G on brain function, thermoregulation and root stress will be assessed using in vitro, in vivo, human and in silico numerical experimental models; 6) effective means of exposure reduction will be identified; 7) risk perception from RF-EMF and 5G exposure will be better understood.

The expected results will provide solid evidence of the potential effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (5G) in young people and workers and contribute to developing guidelines for the prevention/reduction of exposure from next-generation radiocommunication networks.

Sapienza's contribution to this project is focused on developing technology for in vitro contextual testing with RF-EMF exposure and evaluating effects using in silico numerical models.