{"id":"HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404","number":"6404","name":"Jeffrey Smiles","organization":"","posted":"2026-10-28T04:00Z","received":"2026-10-21T04:00Z","body":"To the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:I submit these comments on the HHS Request for Information on Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs), Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation, and Wireless Radiation Exposure (HHS-OASH-2026-0397). I urge HHS to evaluate the substantial evidence of biological effects and potential adverse health outcomes from RF/EMF exposures, including levels below current federal limits, and to identify research gaps and protective recommendations, especially for children and vulnerable populations.Personal ExperienceMy bedroom is about 20 feet from a neighbor’s smart meter. Since its installation I have suffered severe debilitating headaches, muscle spasms, cramps, occasional heart palpitations, and other unusual sensations. These symptoms align with scientific literature on non-thermal biological effects of RF radiation and non-ionizing EMFs.Scientific Evidence (Resources Incorporated by Reference)Electrosensitivity: Functional MRI studies by Dr. Gunnar Heuser et al. (Reviews on Environmental Health, 2017) found abnormal scans in all 10 patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity after long-term EMF exposure, showing consistent hyper-connectivity in the anterior default-mode network. Conventional MRI was largely normal. The authors proposed fMRI as a diagnostic aid. Prevalence studies in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. further document wireless sensitivity and co-morbidities.Industry acknowledgment of non-thermal effects: Swisscom patent WO2004075583A1 addresses electrosmog as a known health problem, cites non-thermal DNA damage and chromosomal instability in human blood cells linked to cancer risk, and proposes emission-reduction methods. The 2000 ECOLOG Institute review for T-Mobile (over 220 studies) found strong evidence of cancer-initiating/promoting effects, DNA breaks, chromosomal damage, fertility impacts, and teratogenic effects far below then-existing guidelines, and recommended much lower precautionary limits.Comprehensive reviews: The BioInitiative Report (2007/2012 and updates) documents DNA damage, neurological, cancer, reproductive, and immune effects at levels far below FCC/ICNIRP limits and calls for biologically based standards. Additional reviews cover neurological/cognitive effects, male fertility, impacts on children, parotid gland tumors, glioma associations, cell-tower epidemiology, and wildlife effects (bees, birds, etc.).DNA, cancer, and other effects: Studies show DNA damage, oxidative stress, and non-thermal mechanisms. U.S. National Toxicology Program research reported statistically significant tumor increases (including heart schwannomas) with RF exposure. Literature also addresses effects on implanted medical devices.Emerging technologies: Patents and programs on wireless body-area networks, nano-sensors/devices, brain-computer interfaces (including DARPA non-surgical neurotech), and bio-nano systems raise unanswered questions on cumulative health effects, safety data, and informed consent. Havana Syndrome cases among federal employees further highlight the need to evaluate directed-energy and pulsed RF exposures.Regulatory history: Older industry manuals, EPA correspondence, GAO reports, NIOSH materials, and prior FCC documents show longstanding awareness of potential non-thermal effects. Current U.S. limits, largely unchanged since 1996 and based on thermal thresholds, do not adequately address today’s continuous, multi-source, pulsed exposures from phones, Wi-Fi, 5G/6G, IoT devices, and wearables.Key Responses to the RFI\nScience and effects below limits: Peer-reviewed evidence, industry patents, and reviews show genotoxic, neurological, reproductive, and immune effects at non-thermal levels. Thermal-only standards are insufficient.\nCumulative exposures: Real-world simultaneous multi-source exposures are not adequately reflected in current testing or limits.\nVulnerable groups: Children, people with electrosensitivity, and those with implanted devices require special attention.\nResearch gaps: Independent studies are needed on electrosensitivity (with objective markers such as fMRI), long-term low-level and cumulative exposures, nano/bio-interfaces, environmental impacts, and device interactions—free of industry conflicts of interest.\nRecommendations: Support biologically based limits with safety margins, real-world testing protocols, transparent public information, wired alternatives where feasible, accommodations for sensitive individuals, and coordinated federal research. The precautionary principle is appropriate given widespread exposure and available risk-reduction options.\nI urge HHS to treat this evidence seriously, close research gaps, and develop health-protective recommendations for policymakers, families, schools, and communities. All Exhibits are incorporated by reference in their entirety.\n\nThank you for the opportunity to comment.\n\nRespectfully submitted,\n","attachments":["https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_17.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_12.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_9.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_4.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_15.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_7.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_3.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_14.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_10.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_6.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_19.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_16.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_11.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_8.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_2.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_1.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_13.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_18.pdf","https://downloads.regulations.gov/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404/attachment_5.pdf"],"attachment_inventory":true,"withheld":false,"source":"https://www.regulations.gov/comment/HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404","tags":["cancer-tumors","child-development","health-experiences","sleep-cognition","biology-metabolism","exposure-places","policy-standards","research-evidence"],"source_hash":"d102d24456fa18606ecafd546dd1dcb3e3ea5de1e9334be4fb6c17305cd4e9af","slug":"cancer-tumors-comment-6404","classification":{"id":"HHS-OASH-2026-0397-6404","body_sha256":"9a018db2a747b2558f6d196d4d6837787bcdc7ffb19ac3b517b732d423254021","status":"ai_reviewed","primary_topic":"smart-meters","topics":[{"id":"smart-meters","evidence":"ExperienceMy bedroom is about 20 feet from a neighbor’s smart meter. Since its installation I have suffered severe debilitating head"},{"id":"ehs","evidence":"found abnormal scans in all 10 patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity after long-term EMF exposure, showing consistent hyper-connectiv"},{"id":"research","evidence":"es require special attention.\nResearch gaps: Independent studies are needed on electrosensitivity (with objective markers such as"},{"id":"standards","evidence":"flicts of interest.\nRecommendations: Support biologically based limits with safety margins, real-world testing protocols, transparent p"},{"id":"optical","evidence":"g protocols, transparent public information, wired alternatives where feasible, accommodations for sensitive individuals, and co"}],"summary":"The commenter reports symptoms near a smart meter, discusses research on electromagnetic hypersensitivity and other health concerns, and requests independent studies, biological exposure limits and wired alternatives.","reviewed_at":"2026-10-28T23:54:32Z","review_method":"Full comment-text review with exact source evidence; attachments not reviewed","review_source_sha256":"7c700dbd4c50252d05b25862d30e09a391680577078f52f40ccabaf633087ef9","source_url":"https://rfsafe.net/hhs-comments/data/catalog.json","scope":"Original comment body; attachments excluded"},"forum_topics":["smart-meters","ehs","research","standards","optical"],"primary_topic":"smart-meters","forum_title":"The commenter reports symptoms near a smart meter, discusses research on electromagnetic hypersensitivity…"}