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BioEM 2023 International Conference on Non-Ionizing Radiation Risks

February 27, 2025
Fact-checked and edited by Shaul Shulman

Dr. Amnon Duvdevany, representing the National Institute for Safety and Hygiene, reports from BioEM 2023—a premier global event which addresses the risks associated with non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.

The conference delivered a wealth of valuable insights that will encourage the institution to stay at the forefront of scientific research and to implement advanced protective measures against non-ionizing radiation in workplace settings.

A Return to In-Person Engagement in Oxford

Held in June in Oxford, United Kingdom, this international conference brought together leading researchers and experts from across the globe.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, BioEM 2023 returned to a full in-person format, hosting 273 participants from different regions.

Most attendees hailed from Central and Western Europe—including France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain—followed by representatives from Japan, Korea, the USA, Australia, Canada, and beyond.

Over the course of 14 extensive sessions, the conference featured:

  • 83 plenary lectures
  • 22 fast talks
  • 116 poster presentations


These showcased the latest research and modern solutions in the field.

Medical Applications of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Several sessions focused on medical applications, including both diagnostic and therapeutic uses of non-ionizing radiation. Among the presentations included the following:

  • Noninvasive neural stimulation techniques and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using low-frequency magnetic fields.
  • Advanced treatments for spinal injuries through neural modulation.
  • The utilization of nano magneto-electric particles in tissue therapy.
  • Investigations into how various medical implants—along with their occupational exposures—can alter internal radiation levels, potentially elevating risks.
  • The design of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems aimed at safely charging implanted medical devices while reducing radiation exposure.

Cosmetic Treatments and Occupational Exposures

The potential for high-level exposures in cosmetic procedures was again emphasized. Discussions highlighted both patient and occupational exposure risks, underscoring significant knowledge gaps that remain in this area.

Cellular Communication and 5G Technologies

The conference maintained its strong focus on the challenges posed by emerging communication technologies:

  • Approximately 65 presentations (including lectures and posters) delved into the implications of 5G and high-frequency exposures, particularly in the millimeter wave band.
  • Researchers showcased advanced methodologies to assess risks associated with 5G, addressing unique technical aspects such as beamforming and MIMO.
  • Studies from multiple countries provided comparative analyses of base station exposures, personal mapping using wearable sensors, and innovative vehicle-mounted assessments.
  • A comprehensive five-year study from Australia was presented, documenting the rollout and impact of 5G networks.
  • New findings from follow-up investigations to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) study were discussed, especially those related to cardiac Schwann cell tumors in rodents. Given concerns over exposure levels nearing current dosimetric limits, two new international studies—in Japan and Korea—are underway.
  • Additional research examined 5G exposures in connected smart vehicles, both externally and within the cabin.

Advances in Measurement, Modeling, and Standardization

The conference also shed light on the evolution of measurement and simulation technologies:

  • Cutting-edge personal and portable radiation detectors were demonstrated, including cost-effective solutions tailored for 5G frequencies.
  • New anatomical imaging and simulation models promise more precise predictions of internal radiation exposures from diverse sources.
  • A dedicated session on international standards—led by the IEEE Technical Committee TC95—reviewed the latest updates to the primary non-ionizing radiation protection standard (C95.1) and related protocols. These standards underpin the exposure limits set for both the general public and workers, including the ACGIH guidelines enforced under Israeli law.
  • Prior to the main event, a focused IEEE meeting in Newbury, UK, brought together five specialized subcommittees to discuss technical updates and plan future revisions of these critical standards.

Environmental, Biological, and Epidemiological Studies

The conference presented a broad spectrum of research into the effects of non-ionizing radiation:

  • Exposure Assessments: Detailed studies measured environmental and personal exposures—from cellular networks and IoT devices to wireless systems in modern vehicles and smart homes.
  • Biological Effects: Investigations at the cellular level explored how 5G exposures affect neural network activity and other cellular processes. Animal studies, including systematic reviews of exposures in wildlife and plants near broadcast stations and cellular towers, were also a highlight.
  • Human Studies: Research exploring the effects of 3.5 GHz exposure on brain activity and the impact of second-phase 5G (FR2) frequencies on skin physiology provided important insights.
  • Epidemiological Research: Extensive reviews and longitudinal studies examined trends in conditions such as headaches, tinnitus, migraines, and childhood leukemia. Notable presentations included a 22-year cohort study on fetal magnetic field exposure, the COSMOS study on mobile phone-related headaches, and an international workshop analyzing the factors behind childhood leukemia trends.

Holistic Approaches to Combined Environmental Risks

A particularly innovative session addressed holistic assessment methods for combined environmental exposures. Researchers explored how multiple exposure sources might interact to influence disease endpoints—offering new perspectives on trends in various cancers and other health outcomes.

BioEM 2023 Conference and It’s Significance

The extensive body of research presented at BioEM 2023 shows that there’s a dynamic and evolving global effort to understand the multifaceted effects of non-ionizing radiation on human health.

As technology continues to advance—bringing with it new challenges such as 5G and millimeter wave exposures—ongoing international collaboration, rigorous scientific investigation, and updated standardization efforts remain to be highly important.

This conference not only reinforced the importance of these endeavors, but it’s also paving the way for future innovations in safeguarding public and occupational health.

Dr. Dovdevani’s detailed report reflects the conference’s function as a forum for advancing our understanding and management of non-ionizing radiation risks with the current technological developments.