Assessment of 5G RF-EMF Exposure During Large-Scale Public Events via Field Measurements

The development of Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile networks has raised public concern regarding human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Key 5G features such as higher operating frequencies, broader bandwidths, beamforming, and traffic-dependent signal variability significantly influence RF-EMF exposure dynamics. Although many studies have assessed EMF levels induced by specific base stations under controlled user traffic, little empirical data are available on population-wide 5G environmental exposure across diverse scenarios. This study addresses this gap through field measurements conducted during a large public festival in Valencia, Spain and a baseline day prior to the event. Downlink signals from the 700 MHz and 3500 MHz 5G bands were measured across Spain’s three main network operators. Five locations surrounding the event venue were selected to capture the influence of the measurement location, and two measurement durations (6 and 30 min) were compared to assess temporal dynamics. The results showed that during the event, the power density in the 3500 MHz band increased by up to a factor of eight compared to the baseline conditions. However, even the highest recorded exposure levels remained well below the international safety limits. Additionally, a 30-minute continuous measurement revealed an approximately 30% increase in average power density compared to a 6-minute snapshot. These findings confirm that 5G environmental RF-EMF exposure remains within safe limits, even under high-demand conditions, and underscore the relevance of considering measurement location and temporal variability in exposure assessments.