Federal health officials are seeking scientific research and public experiences involving cellphones, Wi-Fi, 5G networks, smart meters, and other technologies as questions persist about long-term exposure and existing safety standards.
WASHINGTON — Americans have until Oct. 21 to submit comments to the federal government about the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation, part of a nationwide review that could influence future research priorities, public health recommendations and federal policy.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opened the public comment period through a notice published Sept. 21 in the Federal Register, seeking scientific evidence, clinical observations and personal experiences involving electromagnetic field (EMF) and radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure.
The review covers technologies used by millions of Americans daily, including cellphones, Wi-Fi routers, 5G and emerging 6G networks, wireless communication towers, smart meters, wearable electronics and satellite communications.
Federal officials are also examining whether existing exposure standards adequately address children, pregnant women, older adults, workers and individuals with certain medical conditions.
The initiative comes as wireless infrastructure continues expanding across the country, bringing questions about cumulative exposure and the long-term effects of increasingly widespread wireless technology into federal consideration.
Federal officials seek scientific evidence and public experiences
According to the HHS announcement issued Sept. 17, the review is intended to assess existing scientific research, evaluate American and international safety guidelines and identify areas where additional investigation may be warranted.
The agency is encouraging submissions from physicians, scientists, public health professionals, wireless technology companies, occupational workers, advocacy organizations, and ordinary citizens.
Individuals who believe they have experienced health problems associated with electromagnetic exposure may describe their experiences, including the suspected source, duration of exposure, symptoms, and any changes observed after reducing exposure.
However, such reports do not independently establish that electromagnetic exposure caused a medical condition. HHS is requesting supporting research and documentation to help distinguish scientifically established effects from unconfirmed associations.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked the review to the administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, which calls for closer examination of environmental factors that may affect public health.
The request does not itself establish new exposure limits or determine that wireless technologies are unsafe. Any future regulatory changes would require additional federal action.
Are current wireless radiation standards adequate?
One of the central questions is whether existing federal standards sufficiently address potential health effects from prolonged or repeated exposure.
The government is seeking evidence concerning radiation levels below current exposure limits, methods of measuring real-world exposure, and whether existing testing procedures accurately reflect how people use wireless devices.
Among the subjects identified for examination are cumulative exposure from multiple devices, the proximity of wireless infrastructure to homes and schools, neighborhood antenna density, and potential environmental effects.
Federal officials also want information about whether additional safeguards or different exposure assessments should be considered for potentially sensitive populations.
The request specifically invites evidence concerning children, pregnant women, older adults, people with implanted medical devices, and workers who may experience elevated occupational exposure.
It also raises questions about environmental monitoring, disease surveillance, and whether federal agencies should expand their ability to track possible exposure-related health patterns.
What does the science say?
Radiofrequency radiation produced by wireless communication systems is classified as non-ionizing radiation. Unlike X-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation, it does not carry enough energy to directly damage DNA through ionization.
The National Cancer Institute says available evidence suggests cellphone use does not cause brain cancer or other cancers in humans, although research on potential health effects has continued.
A 2024 systematic review published in Environment International, conducted as part of a World Health Organization assessment, examined human observational research and found that cellphone radiofrequency exposure was not associated with increased risks of several extensively studied brain and head tumors.
Nevertheless, questions remain about certain less-studied health outcomes, long-term exposure scenarios and rapidly changing wireless technologies.
The HHS review seeks to identify where available research provides reliable answers, where uncertainties remain and what additional scientific work could help resolve them.
The announcement of a federal review should not be interpreted as a finding that wireless radiation at levels permitted under current standards causes illness.
FCC conducting separate review following federal court ruling
The HHS review coincides with a separate Federal Communications Commission proceeding involving the federal government’s existing radiofrequency exposure guidelines.
In a Federal Register notice published Sept. 22, the FCC announced that it was accepting additional comments on issues raised by a 2021 federal appeals court ruling in Environmental Health Trust v. FCC.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit directed the commission to provide a more complete explanation for its decision to maintain existing guidelines, particularly concerning potential noncancer health effects.
The ruling also identified questions involving children, long-term exposure, cellphone testing procedures, and possible environmental consequences.
The court did not invalidate the existing federal safety limits or reach a scientific conclusion that the limits were unsafe.
The FCC is now seeking additional information concerning those specific issues.
Comments in the FCC proceeding are due Oct. 22, one day after the HHS deadline.
The two proceedings are separate, and comments submitted to one federal agency are not automatically filed with the other.
How the public can submit comments
Residents who wish to participate in the HHS review can access the official public comment docket through Regulations.gov.
The federal tracking number is HHS-OASH-2026-0397.
Participants should locate the docket, select the available comment option, and follow the federal submission instructions.
Comments may address one or more questions identified in the notice. HHS asks respondents to identify the questions they are answering and describe whether their information comes from personal experience, clinical observations, peer-reviewed research, government studies, or other sources.
Submissions are voluntary and may be anonymous. Because comments can become part of the public record, the agency advises participants not to include sensitive personal or medical information.
Individuals seeking to participate in the separate FCC proceeding can use the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System and search for ET Docket No. 13-84.
The HHS request for information does not guarantee new regulations, additional research funding, or immediate changes to federal health guidance.
However, the information submitted may help shape future scientific assessments and recommendations about electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation exposure.
The HHS comment deadline is Oct. 21, 2026. The separate FCC comment deadline is Oct. 22, 2026.
Have Your Say on Wireless Radiation
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is accepting public comments on electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation exposure.
Deadline: October 21, 2026
SUBMIT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT →
Official U.S. Government Comment Portal
Docket: HHS-OASH-2026-0397
