RFK Jr. launches federal investigation into phone and Wi-Fi safety
These days, our phones, Wi-Fi routers and smartwatches are basically permanent residents of our lives. Now the U.S. government wants to take another look at whether the wireless signals connecting all of them could affect your health.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new federal Request for Information (RFI) on electromagnetic fields, radiofrequency radiation and wireless technology, asking researchers, doctors, industry and the public to submit evidence about potential health effects.
HHS issued the RFI on September 17 as part of the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.
Beyond Smartphones: Wi-Fi, 5G and wearables
Kennedy's announcement covers much more than smartphones. HHS wants information about exposure from cellphones, Wi-Fi, 5G, wearable devices, wireless medical equipment and other sources of radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields.
The agency is also asking about emerging technologies, exposure over long periods and whether certain groups, including children, pregnant women and workers with higher exposure, should be studied differently.
In a September 21 post, Kennedy said, “The MAHA Strategy gave us a clear mission: investigate the relationship between electromagnetic radiation and health, identify gaps in our knowledge and make sure federal policy keeps pace with rapidly changing technology. We promised to act, and today we are."
An important reality check
Wireless radiation has already been studied extensively. The World Health Organization says that, based on research to date, no adverse health effect has been causally linked to exposure from wireless technologies. It also notes that exposure from wireless networks is generally very low.
The National Cancer Institute similarly says the evidence to date suggests cellphone use does not cause brain or other cancers in humans. Its review of major epidemiological studies, including the large COSMOS study, does not show an association between cellphone use and brain tumors.
That does not mean researchers have declared every possible question permanently closed. In fact, HHS's new RFI specifically asks scientists to identify areas where more research is needed, including cumulative exposure and real-world measurements.
The subject of investigation
In 2011, the WHO's cancer agency classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans," based on limited and inconsistent evidence available at the time. Through the RFI, HHS is asking for existing scientific evidence on RF and EMF exposure, research on possible effects below current federal limits, better ways to measure people's real-world exposure, information about cumulative exposure over time and research involving potentially sensitive populations. It is also seeking technical data, peer-reviewed studies and recommendations for future federal research priorities and regulation.
Furthermore, the department is inviting people who believe they or a family member experienced a health effect associated with RF or EMF exposure to submit information.
Sources: PEOPLE, IFL Sciences
