One of the teams working on Project GOLIAT is part of the Experimental Toxicology and Modelling group at the National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS, France), focusing on the effects of radio frequency fields of wireless communication on human health.

The INERIS team involved in tasks 4.3.1 and 5.1.3: Layla JAMAL (left), Lisa MICHELANT (right), and Brahim SELMAOUI (middle).

The INERIS team involved in tasks 4.3.1 and 5.1.3: Layla JAMAL (left), Lisa MICHELANT (right), and Brahim SELMAOUI (middle).

The research of this group involves in vitro cell models, in vivo animal models, and studies in humans. In human studies, the group investigates the impact of radio frequencies on various physiological functions, primarily measuring brain activity through electroencephalogram (EEG) assessments. Exposure of volunteers and EEG measurements take place at the Brain Institute of the Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, which provides logistical support.

A footage picture of a Project GOLIAT volunteer before the start of the experimental protocol in the electrically shielded room.

A footage picture of a Project GOLIAT volunteer before the start of the experimental protocol in the electrically shielded room.

Within Project GOLIAT, INERIS is coordinating the work package (WP) number 4 (Functioning of the brain: biological and neuropsychological effects of 5G). The group is also actively involved in WP5: Thermoregulation and radical stress: biological effects of 5G.

The electrically shielded room where the experimental protocol is held with the infrared camera on the left to measure the body temperature, and the antenna on the right for exposure. A dosimeter is also used to monitor the electrical field intensity of the used radio frequencies all along the experimental protocol.

The electrically shielded room where the experimental protocol is held with the infrared camera on the left to measure the body temperature, and the antenna on the right for exposure. A dosimeter is also used to monitor the electrical field intensity of the used radio frequencies all along the experimental protocol.

The goal of WP4 is to determine the causal biological and psychological effects of 5G on brain activity and behaviour through in vitro, in vivo, and human studies.

INERIS is undertaking the following tasks:

  • Task 4.3: Biological and neuropsychological effects of 5G on brain functions in humans. The team is conducting a randomised, placebo/nocebo-controlled, and counterbalanced experimental design involving healthy volunteers.
  • Task 4.3.1: The researchers will explore the electroencephalogram (EEG) and cognitive effects in humans at 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz. The assessment includes the oscillatory activity of the alpha band and other components (gamma, beta, theta, and delta) in the waking EEG, heart rate variability, skin surface temperature, measures of event-related cognitive potential, and a battery of validated cognitive tests (e.g., the Cambridge Brain test).
The radio frequency generator (top) and amplifier (bottom) used for exposure. Both were placed in the room next to the electrically shielded experimental room and branched to the antenna.

The radio frequency generator (top) and amplifier (bottom) used for exposure. Both were placed in the room next to the electrically shielded experimental room and branched to the antenna.

Regarding WP5, the objective of the group is to determine the causal biological effects of 5G on thermoregulation and radical stress using in vitro, in vivo, human, and in silico experiments.

Footage picture from Project GOLIAT's experimental protocol exploring the 3.5 GHz frequencies while preparing the volunteer for his session.

Footage picture from Project GOLIAT’s experimental protocol exploring the 3.5 GHz frequencies while preparing the volunteer for his session.

INERIS is involved in:

  • Task 5.1.2: In vivo thermoregulation (INERIS, CNRS). The team will monitor key physiological parameters, including the animal’s body temperature profile and the browning of inguinal adipose tissue.
  • Task 5.1.3: Thermoregulation in humans (INERIS). Through human experiments from WP4, researchers will measure the temperature of brown adipose tissue and skin areas (ear, cheek) using an infrared camera.
Footage picture from Project GOLIAT's experimental protocol exploring the 3.5 GHz frequencies while preparing the volunteer for his session.

Footage pictures from Project GOLIAT’s experimental protocol exploring the 3.5 GHz frequencies while preparing the volunteer for his session.