ETAIN General Assembly in Greece: Advancing Research on Radiation and Planetary Health
At ETAIN, we are investigating how 4G and 5G radiation affects planetary health, not only by analysing its impact on human wellbeing, but also by studying its effects on critical species like insect pollinators. Using tools such as the 5G Scientist App and the Dose Calculator, we offer citizens the ability to assess their exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and interact more consciously with these technologies. At the same time, we are exploring how prolonged exposure may influence insect populations, particularly bees and other pollinators. Given their vital role in maintaining ecosystems and food systems, understanding how RF-EMF affects their behaviour and physiology is essential to evaluating its broader consequences on biodiversity and human life, and is a very new field of research with scarce information and no previous studies.
Two weeks ago, the ETAIN consortium gathered in Thessaloniki for our annual General Assembly. While this meeting is always a key moment to align and update each other on progress across the project, this year’s edition was especially meaningful thanks to a field visit to the research facilities in Nea Moudania, Greece. Hosted by the Institute of Animal Science and the Department of Apiculture, the visit offered firsthand insight into the experiments currently underway to understand the effects of RF-EMF exposure on insects, with a particular focus on bees.
The outdoor research setup features a controlled 5G antenna placed in a rural, low-interference environment. This installation mimics real-life antenna emissions while allowing researchers to control external variables such as other sources of radiation. In this setting, insects and pollinators are observed across two zones, one constantly exposed to radiation and one shielded from it, to detect differences in behaviour, health, and other biological indicators. This real-world scenario allows researchers to assess how long-term exposure may be influencing insect ecosystems in conditions that closely resemble everyday reality. Complementing this setup, another experiment is taking place indoors, where hives are kept in controlled environments. These experiments, previously introduced in an earlier blog post, offer the ability to monitor bees across generations and observe cumulative effects with precision. The field visit was a powerful moment in the project timeline, connecting theoretical discussion to practical observation and emphasising the urgency and relevance of our work.
The rest of the General Assembly was dedicated to sharing progress across the different research areas. WP1 presented updates on the suite of tools designed to assess exposure levels, including the now-live 5G Scientist App, the Dose Calculator, and the Exposure Maps Portal. While technical developments have progressed well, such as back-end improvements and automatic data uploads, user engagement remains a challenge, with a significant drop-off between outreach campaigns and actual app downloads.
WP2 presented ongoing simulation work, focusing on realistic exposure scenarios and explaining the distinction between line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight transmissions, especially in urban environments.
WP3 explored ways to reduce exposure from millimetre-wave radiation, such as the potential role of vegetation and improved antenna placement strategies, which could significantly lower exposure without compromising network quality.
WP4 provided updates on studies related to insect exposure, including technical insights into how RF-EMF is absorbed by different parts of insect anatomy. The team confirmed that existing pilot data is promising but highlighted the need for additional observations across multiple generations of honey bees.
WP6 invited partners to contribute to the development of the Planetary Health Impact Assessment framework, which seeks to integrate data from across the project and visualise the relationship between exposure and health impacts on both humans and ecosystems. A white paper is currently in preparation, which will aim to consolidate knowledge and bridge the gap between systematic reviews and field-based findings.
WP7 shared a comprehensive update on the project’s communication and dissemination activities. The team highlighted improved coordination among partners, increased engagement across social media platforms, and the launch of new outreach materials and campaigns, particularly around the app. One of the highlights was the discussion on the preparation of a European Exposure Mapping Day and the lessons learned through co-designing communication materials with citizens.
The three-day meeting concluded with a reflective workshop designed to help partners explore how each part of the project connects to the broader goal of planetary health. This exercise fostered new appreciation for the interdependence of our research lines and underscored the value of collaboration across disciplines. Ultimately, it was a reminder that understanding the invisible effects of RF-EMF on both people and ecosystems requires a shared commitment to rigorous science, open dialogue, and real-world engagement.
