Annals of Clinical Case Studies

ISSN: 2688-1241

Case Study

An Eight Year Old Boy Developed Severe Headache in
A School Close to A Mast with 5G Base Stations
Lennart Hardell1* and Mona Nilsson2
The Environment and Cancer Research Foundation, Sweden

1

Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation, Sweden

2

Abstract
The fifth generation, 5G, for wireless communication is rapidly implemented in many countries. In Sweden currently the frequency band 3.5 GHz is used. The
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technique is used, whereby the technology produces fast, repetitive, very high pulses of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation.
Before the roll-out no studies have been performed on acute or chronic health effects. In recent case studies we have reported the development of the microwave
syndrome in exposed previously healthy subjects including e.g. headache, dizziness, sleep problems, impaired memory and concentration, fatigue/abnormal
tiredness, hormonal changes, cardiac effects, and skin changes. Mostly these effects disappeared rather rapidly when exposure to 5G RF radiation ended. In thiscase study we present an eight year boy who developed severe headache, but also some fatigue and dizziness at school after the implementation of 5G base stations
close to the school. The RF radiation varied at the schoolyard between 83,332 and 267,536 μW/m2 and in the classroom including corridor between 2,560 and
76,590 μW/m2. Considerably lower levels were found in the home varying from 25 to 1,040 μW/m2. Protective clothes had a preventive effect on his symptoms.
This case study is another example of the immediate need to halt the expansion of 5G and dismantle existing base stations.
Keywords: Base station; 5G; Radiofrequency radiation; Microwave syndrome; Headache; Health; School; Children

Introduction

and symptoms from pulsed modulated RF-radiation (also calledmicrowaves) including headache, dizziness, sleep problems, impaired
memory and concentration, fatigue/abnormal tiredness, hormonalchanges, cardiac effects, skin changes, etc [14,15]. These are all partof the microwave syndrome or the radiofrequency sickness/illness
described already during the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Repeated studies ofpeople living in the vicinity of mobile phone masts or base stations forprevious generations of mobile phones show an increased incidenceof these symptoms [16].

In Sweden, as in many other countries, there is a rapid expansionof the fifth generation, 5G, for wireless communication [1,2]. Thisnew technology is implemented without studies that have shown
the absence of health risks in either the short or long term [3,4]. No
studies showing the safety of the new characteristics of RF-radiationfrom 5G was performed before the roll-out and is still today missing.
The Radio Frequency (RF) radiation emitted from 5G masts or
5G base stations is particularly problematic in terms of effects onhuman health and the environment because the technology produces
fast, repetitive, very intense pulses of radiation. Biologically, this isunfavorable as the time to repair organ damage is too short. Thismechanism is well known in medicine [5]. It was noted in researchalready in 1971 that “effects depend primarily on the instantaneous
amplitude of RF radiation. Their significance increases with repeatedexposure to relatively low-intensity irradiation, especially by pulsed
fields, in which the total transmitted power is relatively low but the
instantaneous amplitude is quite high” [6].

In 2023, our research team was the first to study health effects
among people living near 5G masts or 5G base stations. All casestudies showed that 5G leads to a very high exposure to RF radiation,much higher compared to levels measured from the previous
generations 2G, 3G and 4G. Our case studies also showed that 5G
cause’s symptoms of the microwave syndrome e.g. sleep problems,headache, dizziness, and heart problems in a short time; in several
cases within 24 hours. In the first case study the symptoms became
so severe within only two days that the study persons had to leave theapartment for good [7].

According to our measurements so far, 5G has led to a massive
increase in RF radiation in our environment [7-13]. From studies
made on previous generations of telecommunications (2G, 3G, 4G),
as well as from studies on occupational exposures to RF-radiation,
there is a demonstrated increased risk of neurological disorders

As a result of the 5G rollout, many persons are now exposed
to levels that far exceed those previously observed to increase theincidence of microwave syndrome and cancer in the vicinity of mobile
phone masts or base stations [16]. An appeal for a moratorium on theimplementation of the fifth generation of wireless communications,
5G, until research on its safety has been completed has been signed by
436 scientists and medical doctors (www.5Gappeal.eu).

Citation: Hardell L, Nilsson M. An Eight Year Old Boy Developed
Severe Headache in A School Close to A Mast with 5G Base Stations.
Ann Clin Case Stud. 2024; 6(1): 1093.

Case StudyIn this case study we present an eight year old boy who attends a
school with a mobile phone tower with 5G base stations 200 metersfrom the school area and 285 meters from his classroom. The school
has about 520 students from pre-school to grade 6. The tower has beenat the same spot for around 10 years. 5G technology has been installedat the tower since 2022, (Figure 1). The boy started at the school in

Copyright: © 2024 Lennart Hardell
Publisher Name: Medtext Publications LLC
Published date: Jan 31st, 2024
*Corresponding author: Lennart Hardell, The Environment andCancer Research Foundation, Örebro, Sweden© 2024 - Medtext Publications. All Rights Reserved.

032024 | Volume 6 | Article 1093

Annals of Clinical Case Studies
August 2021. He is now in grade 2.

Measurements of RF radiation

Methods

During the week 50, 2023 RF measurements were made both atschool and at the boy’s home during daytime. Table 1 shows lowest andhighest results of maximum values (peak) of the ten measurements
each during 1 minute. At the schoolyard the levels varied between
83,332 and 267,536 μW/m2 and in the classroom including corridor
between 2,560 and 76,590 μW/m2. Considerably lower levels were
found in the home varying from 25 to 1,040 μW/m2.

The boy’s mother was asked to report his symptoms at home
and at school using questions adapted after Belpomme et al. [17].
Measurements of RF radiation was performed both at the school andat the boy’s home. All measurements were made 10 times, each for 1
minute. The used device was the Safe and Sound Pro II broad bandRF meter. The true response detection range is between 400 MHz and
7.2 GHz. It was calibrated by the manufacturer and has an accuracyof ± 6 dB (https://safelivingtechnologies.com/products/safe-andsound-pro-ii-rf-meter.html). In Sweden 5G uses 3.5 GHz and is thus
included in the meter's frequency range.

Table 1: Measured levels of RF radiation at school and at home, Results are
given in μW/m2.
SchoolMin
Max
Schoolyard
83,332
267,536Classroom (leisure, corridor)
2,560
76,590Home
Bedroom (pillow)
25
259
Desk
45
553
Living room (regular seat)
26
270
Kitchen table (common place)
39
1,040

Results
Relatively soon after the boy began attending class at the school,
he started to suffer from headache, although not every day or noteven every week at first. However during the autumn of 2023, theheadache has become daily and more intense at school, grade 10
on the 10-grade scale; 0 corresponds to no discomfort and 10 tounbearable discomfort. He may also experience some fatigue (grade5), and sometimes dizziness (grade 7) at school.

Discussion
The boy's symptoms of headache, fatigue, and dizziness arecommonly reported symptoms resulting from exposure to elevated
RF radiation [15,16]. The levels of radiation measured at the school
are significantly higher than the values at the boy’s home. The severe
headache only appears in the school where the RF radiation is very
high both outside and in the boy’s classroom. The headache appearing
at home might also be a result of exposure to the higher levels at
school as it has been described that symptoms might remain a while
after exposure.

The boy is symptom free in general at home but he may also
occasionally have headache at home, grade 2 on the 10-grade scale,but this headache disappears relatively quickly.
Since the autumn 2023, the boy has been wearing a protective cap(which shields against RF radiation) both outdoors and also indoors
in the classroom. Outdoors, he also uses a RF-protective jacket andscarf. With the protective cap, he does not suffer from headache
according to experience so far.

In the home, the radiation is much lower and the symptoms do
not occur to the same extent. In addition, the symptoms do not occur
when the boy is wearing a cap shielding RF radiation, according toexperience so far.
This suggests that there is a causal relationship between theelevated radiation at the school and the boy's severe headache.
The result is a classic example of a provocation study; symptoms(headache, fatique, dizziness) occur with 5G exposure but cease/areabsent without 5G exposure.
Since more than 20 years, various scientific groups have evaluatedthe research and recommended limits for maximum RF radiation.
Most countries around the world have adopted ICNIRP's
recommended extremely high values below which it is claimed that
there would be no health effects [18]. In the USA the FCC has adopted
similar levels of maximum allowed RF radiation exposure frommobile phone base stations, including 5G [19]. These extremely highlimits are based only on short term thermal (heating) effects observed
within a very short time (1 hour) at intensities so high that the RFradiation heats body tissues [14].
As shown in the Table 2, ICNIRP's limits are extremely muchhigher than those recommended by other groups, The Bioinitiative
Group [20] and the EuropaEM EMF guidelines [21]. The ICNIRP
limits are neglecting all biological effects not based on tissue heating,although there is increasing evidence of a range of harmful effects
at much lower levels (www.emfscientist.org). The much lower
values recommended by independent research groups also take into
account effects in the form of central nervous system effects such as
headache, sleep problems, dizziness, etc., resulting from exposure to

Figure 1: Mast with 5G base stations 200 meters from the school.

© 2024 - Medtext Publications. All Rights Reserved.

04

2024 | Volume 6 | Article 1093

Annals of Clinical Case Studies
Table 2: Recommended limit exposure levels for the public by some different organizations for microwave radiation in μW/m2, compared with maximum peaklevels measured at the boy’s school.
Power Density (μW/
Year
Name
Description
m 2)
1998
10,000,000
ICNIRP [31]10,000,000 for 2-300 GHz Whole body exposure averaged over 6 min.
2020
10,000,000
ICNIRP 2020 [18]10,000,000 for >2-300 GHz Whole body exposure averaged over 30 min.
Bioinitiative 20122012
3-6
For chronic exposure to pulsed RF.1
Recommendation [20]For extended exposure at least 4 hours a day to frequencies between GSM 900 to WiFi
2016
0,1-100
EuropaEM EMF Guidelines [21] 5.6 GHz depending on sensitivity, night time or daytime exposure. Peak maximum
values.
267,536
Boy's school outside; schoolyard, Boy's school inside; classroom, Peak maximum
2023
This study
76,590levels1
Average or peak maximum values not specified.

RF radiation at much lower levels than the very high levels required
to cause heating effects.

radiation is considerably lower. In the long term there is also thepossibility of increased cancer risk. It can be assumed that morechildren at this school and other schools with 5G antennas in close
proximity also suffer from symptoms caused by the increased RFradiation from 5G. Children are generally more sensitive than adults
to harmful environmental factors. This case study underscores theurgent need for a moratorium on 5G deployment (www.emfcall.org,
www.5Gappeal.eu).

For instance the EuropaEM EMF guidelines 2016 recommended
levels of pulsed RF-radiation not to be higher than 100 μW/m2 [21].
The boy is exposed at school to levels of between 76,590 (classroom)and 267,536 μW/m2 (playground outdoor), clearly very much higher
levels than the EuropaEM EMF guidelines. In a study on previous
mobile phone generations exposures it was reported that levels
exceeding 500 μW/m2 caused increased risk of headache amongpeople living near base stations [22]. There is a complete lack of studies
and research showing that 5G is not harmful at the levels measured at
the boy’s school and in our previous case studies on 5G.

References
1. Koppel T, Ahonen M, Carlberg M, Hardell L. Very high radiofrequency radiation
at Skeppsbron in Stockholm, Sweden from mobile phone base station antennas
positioned close to pedestrians' heads. Environ Res. 2022;208:112627.
2. Koppel T, Hardell L. Measurements of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields,
including 5G, in the city of Columbia, SC, USA. World Acad Sci J. 2022;4(3):22.

The deployment of 5G was known beforehand to increase RFradiation exposure due to the increased and more rapid wireless datatransfer and multiplication of the number of base stations. In addition
to risks of the microwave syndrome, RF radiation was already in May
2011 classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B) by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO[23]. One of the authors of this article (LH) was part of the IARC
international expert review team. The IARC classification applies
to all forms of RF radiation, including 5G base stations, wirelesstransmitters (access points often found in schools), tablets, laptops,etc.

3. Hardell L, Nyberg R. Appeals that matter or not on a moratorium on the deploymentof the fifth generation, 5G, for microwave radiation. Mol Clin Oncol. 2020;12(3):24757.
4. Nyberg NR, McCredden JE, Weller SG, Hardell L. The European Union prioritises
economics over health in the rollout of radiofrequency technologies. Rev Environ
Health. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2022-0106
5. Pitot HC, Loeb DD. Etiology of Cancer: Chemical and Physical Agents. In:
Fundamentals of Oncology. Marel Dekker, Inc. Pitot. Loeb (eds). 2002:41-106.
6. Marha K, Musil J, Tuha H. Biological effects of electromagnetic waves and theirmechanism. In: Electromagnetic Fields and the Life Environment. San Francisco
Press. 1971:29-38.

Epidemiological studies performed to date show clear association
between exposure to RF radiation and cancer [14]. In addition
the largest laboratory animal studies during recent years at the
National Toxicology Program [24,25] and the Ramazzini Institute[26], have confirmed the increased cancer risk. Laboratory studies
have repeatedly and convincingly showed mechanisms that explain
the increased risk of cancer. These include oxidative stress (known
mechanism of cancer development), mRNA effects and DNA damage[27]. Consistent results on RF radiation and cancer risks have thus
been found in epidemiological studies in humans, in laboratory
studies in animals and in laboratory studies on cells [14,28-30].

7. Hardell L, Nilsson M. Case Report: The microwave syndrome after installation of 5G
emphasizes the need for protection from radiofrequency radiation. Ann Case Report
2023;8:1112.
8. Nilsson M, Hardell L. Development of the microwave syndrome in two men shortly
after installation of 5G on the roof above their office. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2023;8:2378.
9. Hardell L, Nilsson M. Case Report: A 52-year healthy woman developed severe
microwave syndrome shortly after installation of a 5G base station close to herapartment. Ann Clin Med Case Rep. 2023;10(16):1-10.
10. Nilsson M, Hardell L. 5G Radiofrequency radiation caused the microwave syndrome
in a family living close to the base stations. J Cancer Sci Clin Ther. 2023;7(2):127-134.

With the increased knowledge of cancer risks, RF radiation
should be classified as a human carcinogen, group 1 according to
the IARC classification, if evaluated objectively without conflicts ofinterests. This classification should have a major impact on prevention
measures.

11. Nilsson M, Hardell L. A 49-year-old man developed severe microwave syndrome after
activation of 5G base station 20 meters from his apartment. J Community Med Public
Health 2023;7:382.
12. Nilsson M, Hardell L. Case Report: Both parents and their three children developed
symptoms of the microwave syndrome while on holiday near a 5G tower. Ann Clin
Med Case Rep. 2023;12(1):1-7.

Conclusion
Radiofrequency radiation is an environmental pollutant. The
exposure to RF radiation at the boy’s school, both outdoors and in
his classroom, is so high that it can cause the acute symptoms in
the form of headache, fatigue, and dizziness that the boy repeatedly
has experienced in school but much less in the home where the RF© 2024 - Medtext Publications. All Rights Reserved.

13. Hardell L, Nilsson M. A woman aged 82 years with electromagnetic hypersensitivity
since almost four decades developed the microwave syndrome after installation of
5G base stations in her living vicinity – ethical principles in medicine are violated. J
Environ Science Public Health 2024;8:1-8. DOI:10.26502/jesph.96120200

052024 | Volume 6 | Article 1093

Annals of Clinical Case Studies
14. International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBEEMF). Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC andICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for
5G. Environ Health. 2022;21:92.

24. National Toxicology Program. NTP technical report on the toxicology andcarcinogenesis studies in Hsd: Sprague Dawley sd rats exposed to whole-body radio
frequency radiation at a frequency (900 MHz) and modulations (GSM and CDMA)
used by cell phones. NTP TR 595, 2018. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/
trpanel/2018/march/tr595peerdraft.pdf.

15. Carpenter DO. The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historicalbackground. Rev Environ Health. 2015;30(4):217-22.

25. National Toxicology Program. NTP technical report on the toxicology andcarcinogenesis studies in B6C3F1/N mice exposed to whole-body radio frequency
radiation at a frequency (1,900 MHz) and modulations (GSM and CDMA) used by cell
phones. NTP TR 596, 2018. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/trpanel/2018/
march/tr596peerdraft.pdf.

16. Balmori A. Evidence for a health risk by RF on humans living around mobile phonebase stations: From radiofrequency sickness to cancer. Environ Res. 2022;214(Pt2):113851.
17. Belpomme D, Campagnac C, Irigaray P. Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing
and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two
etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder. Rev Environ Health.
2015;30(4):251-71.

26. Falcioni L, Bua L, Tibaldi E, Lauriola M, De Angelis L, Gnudi F, et al. Report of
final results regarding brain and heart tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed fromprenatal life until natural death to mobile phone radiofrequency field representative of
a 1.8 GHz GSM base station environmental emission. Environ Res. 2018;165:496-503.

18. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz).
Health Phys. 2020;118(5):483-524.

27. Panagopoulos DJ. Comparing DNA damage induced by mobile telephony and othertypes of man-made electromagnetic fields. Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res. 2019;781:53-62.
28. Hardell L, Carlberg M. Comments on the US National Toxicology Program
technical reports on toxicology and carcinogenesis study in rats exposed to wholebody radiofrequency radiation at 900 MHz and in mice exposed to whole-bodyradiofrequency radiation at 1,900 MHz. Int J Oncol. 2019;54(1):111-27.

19. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Proposed Changes in theCommission’s Rules Regarding Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic
Fields; Reassessment of Federal Communications Commission Radiofrequency
Exposure Limits and Policies. 2020:19117-26.

29. Hardell L, Carlberg M, Söderqvist F, Mild KH. Pooled analysis of case-control studies
on acoustic neuroma diagnosed 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 and use of mobile andcordless phones. Int J Oncol. 2013;43(4):1036-44.

20. BioInitiative Working Group, Sage C, Carpenter DO, Editors. BioInitiative Report:
A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic
Radiation. 2012. www.bioinitiative.org

30. Hardell L, Carlberg M. Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk for glioma- Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997-2003 and 2007-2009.
Pathophysiology. 2015;22(1):1-13.

21. Belyaev I, Dean A, Eger H, Hubmann G, Jandrisovits R, Kern M, et al. EUROPAEMEMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related
health problems and illnesses. Rev Environ Health. 2016;31(3):363-97.

31. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, andelectromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Phys. 1998;74(4):494-522.

22. Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M. Subjective symptoms, sleeping
problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone basestations. Occup Environ Med. 2006;63(5):307-13.
23. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Nonionizing radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. IARC Monogr Eval
Carcinog Risks Hum. 2013;102:1-460.

© 2024 - Medtext Publications. All Rights Reserved.

062024 | Volume 6 | Article 1093