« The objective of the CORSICA project is to investigate the in-vitro effects on human skin and eyes of the co-exposure between 5G modulated – radiofrequency fields (RF) at 26 GHz (at absorbed Power Density levels up to 10 W/m²) and ultraviolet (UV) radiations at different wavelengths (UV-A, UV-B, and solar)
- To assess the effects of a 26 GHz, 5G modulated signal alone or in combination with UV radiation on viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammation in skin and eye models
- To assess the effects of a 26 GHz, 5G modulated signal alone or in combination with UV radiation on genotoxicity in 2D-3D skin models
- To assess the effects of a 26 GHz, 5G modulated signal alone or in combination with UV radiation on irritation and muscin production (dryness) in cornea models
Over the past few decades, mobile telephony has experienced rapid deployment, with the introduction of the fifth generation (5G) beginning in 2020. In Europe, the initial frequency range selected for the introduction of 5G falls between 3.4 and 3.8 GHz. However, in the coming five years, the 26 GHz band, for which limited studies have been published, is scheduled for deployment.
The originality of the CORSICA project is to investigate, in vitro, the possible effects of a 5G signal at 26 GHz on the two main biological, superficial targets at such frequencies, that is the skin and in the eye, the cornea.
Moreover, there are few investigations of the effects of RF in combination with other exposures, and such studies do almost not exist using RF at 26 GHz. CORSICA will investigate the effects of a concurrent exposure of the human skin and cornea to RF and either solar, UV-B or UV-A radiations, also a routine occurrence in the daily life.
We find it very pertinent to study the possible interaction between RF exposure classified as a possible human carcinogen and UV and solar exposure categorized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Of note, high doses of UV radiation can have detrimental effects on the skin (burns) and the eye (photokeratitis), with sources including sunlight and artificial sources like UV lamps. Chronic exposures to UV radiation has the potential to inflict damage to the skin leading to tumor formation, as well as to the eye leading to cataract, and possibly to syndrome of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. »
Summary from the Anses (Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail).
This project is led by Emilie Puginier Pinet at the IMS Laboratory with the help of Isabelle Lagroye, Florence Poulletier de Gannes, Annabelle Hurtier, Patricia Nabos and Yann Percherancier.
They will be working in collaboration with XLIM and the National research institute for radiobiology and radiohygiene – Department of non ionising radiation.
Read more in the document below.
Extract from the full document of the Anses: « Appel à projets de recherche “environnement-santé-travail” 2024 »